Kilnaughton Beach

The beach at Kilnaughton curves along the southwest coast of Islay in a way that makes you understand why people keep coming back to this corner of Argyll. It's not dramatic - no towering cliffs or turquoise shallows - but it's got that honest, working quality that Scottish beaches do best. Dark sand, proper waves on most days, and the kind of emptiness that means you might have the place to yourself even in July.

The walk down is straightforward enough, and once you're there the beach opens up with decent stretches for walking either direction. Swimmers will find it manageable when conditions allow, though this isn't a sheltered bathing spot - it's the Atlantic side, so come prepared. Families with older kids will get on fine here; younger ones might find the exposure a bit much and the car park facilities are basic.

Walkers and photographers actually get the most from Kilnaughton. The light does something proper interesting in the afternoon, and if you're island-hopping around Islay's coastline, this stretch fits naturally into a longer coastal loop. Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it seriously, or swing by for forty minutes if you're passing through between Bridgend and Port Ellen.

The Islay Glamping Pods site is just three miles off, which makes it a useful base for exploring this part of the island. Weather-dependent, yes - but that's not a flaw, that's the whole point of coming to Argyll.