Days out
The Oa
Lower KilleyanOpenSee opening timesTowering cliffs with Golden Eagles soaring above, and Grey Seals on the rocky shore far below. Choughs probing for food, and Twites adorning fences. This is our wild and wonderful Oa reserve.
About
The Oa on Islay is a breathtaking reserve of dramatic sea cliffs, open moorland, freshwater lochs, coastal grassland and heath. It's home to many important breeding and wintering birds.
The stunning coastal cliffs tower 100m over the often turbulent sea below and rise, at their highest point, to Beinn Mhòr at 202m. Within the folds of cliff face are hidden bays, where tumbling waterfalls terminate the burns and streams that run from the freshwater lochs and peatland bogs inland.
Golden Eagles grace the skies around the Oa throughout the year, making the reserve one of the best locations for visitors to Islay to glimpse this majestic soaring raptor. From February into early spring, Golden Eagles are active with territorial display flights, courtship and mating. Later in the year you may see them catching updrafts and soaring over their home range, perched patiently on rocky knolls along the hill line, or stooping for prey such as geese or hares.
Our specially planted arable fields have attracted nationally significant numbers of wintering Twite to the reserve. These delightful flocks of chattering finches are restless, but obliging; frequently amassing on fences lines with Linnets before taking off in a flurry of wings and drawn-out calls.
At a glance
18 spaces. No height restrictions. Rolled stone surface. No lighting.
There are no toilets here. Nearest toilets in Port Ellen around four miles away.
There are no toilets here. Nearest toilets in Port Ellen around four miles away.
Mostly natural and unimproved paths, which can be soft underfoot. Short sections of boardwalk across wetter areas. Short sections of moderate gradient.
If arriving with an off road/all terrain powered wheelchair please contact the reserve directly, by phone or email, for access information and available routes on the reserve. Mostly natural and unimproved paths, which can be soft underfoot. Short sections of boardwalk across wetter areas. Short sections of moderate gradient.
There are no toilets here. Nearest toilets in Port Ellen around four miles away.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. During the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1 April to 15 August) and in areas with livestock, we would ask that you keep your dog on a short lead and clean up after them.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
This is a great location to spot Golden Eagles
This iconic species is Scotland’s national bird. Once widespread around the UK, they became the subject of persecution in the 18th and 19th centuries. By 1850, they’d been wiped out in Wales and England. However, the two World Wars helped them recover a little, as gamekeepers went away to fight. Today, most of the UK’s Golden Eagles live in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides. England’s last resident Golden Eagle disappeared in 2015. Despite being protected by law, they’re still illegally persecuted: between 2007 and 2022, there were 22 confirmed incidents, including 14 Golden Eagles that were poisoned.
The RSPB works in numerous ways to help Golden Eagles, including work by our investigations team who gather evidence to expose bird crime and work with the police to try to bring criminals to justice. We also campaign for better protection and on our nature reserves and across the wider landscape, we’re helping to restore and manage habitat so that it can support the prey that Golden Eagles need.
Read more about how we are working protect these birds and defend their habitats:
Contact The Oa
the.oa@rspb.org.uk Car park is situated on unnamed road, Isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute, PA42 7AU 01496 300118