Kilnaughton Beach is one of the finer beaches on Islay and can be found near Port Ellen. It’s situated at the west end of Kilnaughton Bay to the left from the road to The Oa. You can’t really miss this beach, just head to the Oa and park on the hill at the Port Ellen Cemetery. From here walk down the hill, you’ll find the beach on your left.
Kilnaughton Beach
Kilnaughton Beach is a picture postcard beach. It has lovely fine sand, is backed by low dunes and the turquoise water is mostly shallow. It’s safe for swimming and on top of all that there is a chance in summer to see Dolphins. It’s great to go to this beach with the kids, build sand castles and just have a good time. Every now and then you’ll see the Islay ferry passing by either arriving on Islay or leaving for Kennacraig. The view towards Port Ellen and the Carraig Fhada Lighthouse is great! And it’s relatively close to The Singing Sands Beach which can be found a little further down from the lighthouse.
There is enough to discover on and around the beach. On the north-end is a chapel like structure built into the rocks, although I’m not sure what it really is and why it’s built there. If you walk further on you’ll find an entrance to the woodland and a path which leads to the main road back to Port Ellen Maltings.
This is the perfect beach to enjoy a lovely summer evening with a bottle of wine and a Pizza or take-away from the SeaSalt restaurant in the village of Port Ellen. 😉
Kilnaughton Chapel and Graveyard
On the other side of the beach in the dunes are the remains of Kilnaughton Chapel, which was built around the 1400s. There is a nice carved stone of a soldier inside the chapel and a few outside in the graveyard as well. This is also a Common wealth grave. The Port Ellen cemetery can be found on the other side of the hill towards the main road.
