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Isle of Islay

Soldier's Rock

A tall sea stack below the cliffs of the Oa, reached by a walk from Kintra past abandoned townships.

Welcome

Soldier's Rock is a tall, slender sea stack standing in the surf below the cliffs of the Oa peninsula, about two miles from Kintra Farm, in one of the wildest corners of Islay.

It cannot be seen from anywhere on the coast until you walk right up to it, and then it rises from the white water in front of you, a column of rock cut off from the headland by the waves.

The walk is part of the reward. It is about two miles each way from Kintra Farm, over farmland and then grass and moor, past the abandoned townships of Frachdale, Tockmal and Grasdale. Around the stack are high cliffs, a waterfall where the burn drops into the sea and a natural arch. Watch for buzzards along the way, and with luck a golden eagle. The way back is harder to follow; wear good boots, and keep well back from the cliff edges in a wind.

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Not farCaol Ila DistilleryThe distillery on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig, the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker, with tours from £21 and views to Jura.16 milesSee itCaol Ila Distillery
Before you go

The walk starts near Kintra Farm and runs about 2 miles each way over farmland and moor, past old townships.

There is no path at the end, the return is harder to find, and the cliffs are high: go in good weather with boots and a map.

Getting there
CalMac’s ferry from Kennacraig sails to Port Askaig while Port Ellen is closed for upgrades (from 2 June 2026, expected to reopen in 2029); Port Askaig is about 20.8 miles from Port Ellen. Or fly from Glasgow to Islay Airport.
Start
Near Kintra Farm.
Walk
About 2 miles each way, rough at the end.

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Where it is

The Oa peninsula, about 2 miles from Kintra Farm, Islay.

Close byOn the Oa, from Kintra.
  1. Surf breaking on dark rocks at Laggan Bay, the dunes and white farmhouses beyond.Laggan BayThe Big Strand: about six miles of sand on Laggan Bay, Islay's longest beach, backed by high dunes.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Isle of Islay (pronounced Eye-la)Isle of Islay (pronounced Eye-la)The most southerly of the Hebrides, known for its whisky, its beaches and Finlaggan, seat of the Lords of the Isles.4 miles 13 min by road
  3. Port EllenPort EllenA village of white and pastel cottages on Islay's south coast, founded in 1821, with three famous distilleries along the road east.4 miles 14 min by road
  4. The crown and the words THE SHOP on the red telephone box.Shop in the BoxA red telephone box on the Oa road turned into an honesty shop of island prints and cards, raising money for good causes.4 miles 15 min by road
  5. Laphroaig's white warehouses with the name in black across the bay, waves on the stony shore.Laphroaig DistilleryA distillery on Islay's south coast near Port Ellen, founded in 1815, with its own malting floors and peat kilns.6 miles 17 min by road
  6. A dark headland and a rocky cove at the Mull of Oa, the sea bright beyond.Mull of OaThe cliff-bound south-west tip of Islay, an RSPB reserve of sea cliffs and moor where golden eagles fly.8 miles 23 min by road
Directions
The white front of Lagavulin with its name on the wall and the red chimney behind.AttractionsLagavulin Distillery6.4 miles
The broken tower of Dunyvaig Castle on its rocky point, the sea grey beyond.AttractionsDunyvaig Castle6.8 miles
Ardbeg distillery's whitewashed warehouse wall beside the rocky Islay shoreAttractionsArdbeg Distillery7.4 miles
The American Monument on its cliff top at the Mull of Oa, the sea breaking on the rocks below.AttractionsAmerican Monument7.7 miles
Bowmore, Isle of IslayAttractionsBowmore13 miles
The whitewashed front of the Bowmore Hotel on Jamieson Street, its name across the gable.RestaurantsBowmore Hotel13 miles
The long white building of the Celtic House on the corner, its windows along two streets.ShoppingThe Celtic House13 miles
Bowmore Distillery, Isle of IslayAttractionsBowmore Distillery13 miles
Peatzeria's whitewashed building on Shore Street, Bowmore, with its belfry and pointed windows.RestaurantsPeatzeria13 miles

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