Amazing nature to be seen on Islay

Islay is a place where nature and history come to life; a wet and wild landscape with sandy beaches and amazing skies.

Get closer to Islay’s wildlife at one of the RSPB Scotland’s two nature reserves. Every October thousands of geese flock to the green fields of Loch Gruinart and stay over winter before heading back to their breeding grounds in Greenland. At the Oa there are wild sea cliffs and open moorland, providing the perfect home for magnificent golden eagles.

A walk along the trails will immerse you in the sights and sounds of Islay; from the white cotton-grass on the moor and the carpets of bluebells in the woods to the melodic skylark or ‘pee-wit’ cry of lapwings in summer. Make time to simply sit and let the world go by. Your patience may be rewarded with sights of chough feeding at The Oa or the rasping ‘crex- crex’ call of the corncrake at Loch Gruinart.

Both reserves are working farms where agriculture goes hand in hand with wildlife, as it has done for centuries. Evidence of early farmers still mark the landscape with ancient hut circles and ruined cottages.

Discover more of the amazing sights and sounds the reserves have to offer by joining one of our weekly guided walks from April to October.