Visit this working farm on the beautiful Isle of Islay, and explore colourful moorland with stunning views out to sea. The reserve offers two signposted trails, starting from the hide car park. Enjoy a stroll through ancient Atlantic woodland, listening for Corncrakes and looking out for Brown Hares and Roe Deer in the long grass. Take a picnic and enjoy lunch with a view of Loch Gruinart and the far hills behind. The moorland, too, is full of beautiful plants like sundews, orchids and Bog Asphodel. Fancy a bike ride? A firm favourite for many here is the cycle from Uiskentuie, along the B8017 and then on to Ardnave. It's a total of 7.5 miles (12 km) one way, and crosses the Gruinart Flats before passing beautiful Celtic chapel ruins.
A great place on Islay for bird and wild life watching. The RSPB is free to visit. They have 2 hides and trails. We met very nice people in the visitor centre who explained us about the routes to take and what can be seen. The trail to the 1st hide is only a 10 mins walk and they have lots of information about birds inside the hide as well. We were lucky to have great weather and saw many birds, roe deers. You should have binoculars though. They have car park at 2 spots. Everything is properly marked.
Saw deer ,herons and lots of wee birds from hides. The loch beside has one of of the best beaches in the world
A special nature reserve with 2 walks, each lasting 30 mins. We had excellent views of hen harriers hunting across the heathland. We also saw red deer and many dragonflies. The visitor centre is very welcoming with toilets and tea and coffee making facilities. It was unstaffed and we left a donation in the box.
Friday 8th September 2023.. Wow, what a great place for bird watching....4 firsts in a couple of hours..!! Corncrake, Twite, Wheatear and topped off with an awsome White tailed (sea) Eagle...!!!! The only small downside was the reception we got (or absolute total lack of it..!!!) when we popped in to the visitor centre after our walk.... The young lady in there was so rude, no acknowledgment of us not even any eye contact made...banging cups and plates around so loudly, we obviously were not welcome... we made a hasty exit... real shame...she may well be a wildlife expert but she's certainly no people person...totally in contrast to the rest of the people on Islay who were so friendly....
Great place to see White Tailed Sea Eagles Golden Eagles and Choughs at Ardnave
Islay is quite stunning and the wildlife is amazing. As a photographer it has provided me with excellent material. I arrived late to Gruinart after a day of meetings with just an hour of daylight left. Within a minute 3 or 4 big hares wanted to pose just in front of me, perhaps 10 metres away. Then on entering the bird hide I spotted this beautiful Whooper swan, stained golden brown from swimming in the peat bog, way off to my left. He took to the air like only swans can, then turned towards me and flew past immediately ahead of me: the only time in my life when I was in the right place at the right time, with the right camera settings, and perfect golden-hour light. I captured a string of 30 rapid-fire images, all nicely in focus at the right shutter-speed. What joy!
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Hiking
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Dogs allowed
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A great place on Islay for bird and wild life watching. The RSPB is free to visit. They have 2 hides and trails. We met very nice people in the visitor centre who explained us about the routes to take and what can be seen. The trail to the 1st hide is only a 10 mins walk and they have lots of information about birds inside the hide as well. We were lucky to have great weather and saw many birds, roe deers. You should have binoculars though. They have car park at 2 spots. Everything is properly marked.
Saw deer ,herons and lots of wee birds from hides. The loch beside has one of of the best beaches in the world
A special nature reserve with 2 walks, each lasting 30 mins. We had excellent views of hen harriers hunting across the heathland. We also saw red deer and many dragonflies. The visitor centre is very welcoming with toilets and tea and coffee making facilities. It was unstaffed and we left a donation in the box.
Friday 8th September 2023.. Wow, what a great place for bird watching....4 firsts in a couple of hours..!! Corncrake, Twite, Wheatear and topped off with an awsome White tailed (sea) Eagle...!!!! The only small downside was the reception we got (or absolute total lack of it..!!!) when we popped in to the visitor centre after our walk.... The young lady in there was so rude, no acknowledgment of us not even any eye contact made...banging cups and plates around so loudly, we obviously were not welcome... we made a hasty exit... real shame...she may well be a wildlife expert but she's certainly no people person...totally in contrast to the rest of the people on Islay who were so friendly....
Great place to see White Tailed Sea Eagles Golden Eagles and Choughs at Ardnave
Islay is quite stunning and the wildlife is amazing. As a photographer it has provided me with excellent material. I arrived late to Gruinart after a day of meetings with just an hour of daylight left. Within a minute 3 or 4 big hares wanted to pose just in front of me, perhaps 10 metres away. Then on entering the bird hide I spotted this beautiful Whooper swan, stained golden brown from swimming in the peat bog, way off to my left. He took to the air like only swans can, then turned towards me and flew past immediately ahead of me: the only time in my life when I was in the right place at the right time, with the right camera settings, and perfect golden-hour light. I captured a string of 30 rapid-fire images, all nicely in focus at the right shutter-speed. What joy!
