Native forest flowers, birdlife, trees, mosses, lichens. Plus the chance of wildlife surprises on Ballygrant Loch. Meet at the Ballygrant Hall car park. We have a short walk along the single track road before entering the woodland.
Butterflies, unique botany, exposed Atlantic shoreline, birdlife. This is our annual pilgrimage to see what orchids are in flower in this gem of a dune system. Meet 2pm Killinallan gate - road end east side Loch Gruinart. Give yourself time to get there as the road is more like a track. Why not have lunch at the ‘Oyster Shed’ before you join us.
Explore the world of seaweeds - foraging and advice on cooking with seaweeds on the shore. Meet at the parking area by the memorial Sanaigmore.
A short easy walk round the villages. Learn some basic Gaelic vocabulary while enjoying the local wildlife, local history and great views. Meet at 2pm Portnahaven toilet block & bus shelter. Parking available at Village Hall
We are pleased to present our next talk Wednesday 4th June at the Islay Nature Centre 7.30pm. Very much a topic of current importance and particularly to Islay as it looks to become a carbon neutral island -"Buried treasure: carbon storage from saltmarshes to the continental margin" provided by Ed Garrett and Ollie Moore of the Environment and Geology department of York University visiting with Students next week.
Coastal and marine sediments, from muddy seafloors to saltmarshes and seagrass meadows, play a surprising yet powerful role in slowing climate change. This talk explores how these often-overlooked environments act as long-term carbon stores, locking CO2 out of the atmosphere. Drawing on recent scientific research, including insights from saltmarshes around the UK and the role of geochemical reactions, we’ll uncover how natural processes help preserve carbon deep in the mud. Join us as we dig into the science behind ‘blue’ carbon.
Our summer of sunday walks will commence this weekend 1st June, starting with David Webster relaying the wonders of Islay's geology. 2pm at Currie Sands, Nr Portnahaven.
A coastal walk starting at Currie Sands nr Portnahaven and walking along the coast northwards past the old wave generator to Rubha na Fiaing with its views over Frenchman's Rocks. Some of the oldest rocks in Scotland with a long history stretching back nearly 2 billion years. Explore the whisky connections plus examine faults, dykes and more recent raised beaches.
Meet at the grassy parking area by Claddach Farm. Moderately easy terrain, narrow path down to Currie Sands beach. No dogs
Google maps link https://maps.app.goo.gl/DVLHT2HwT7gyFapH6
Coords 55.690716, -6.517705
Grid Reference NR 16184 53391
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Join Sally Morris from Buglife to find out more about easy steps you can take for pollinators in your garden. She works as a Project Officer for Species on the Edge, a four-year partnership programme improving the fortunes of 37 coastal and island species around Scotland. As part of her work, Sally carries out surveys for the Short-necked Oil Beetle and the solitary bee Northern Colletes across the Hebrides. For more details on Species on the Edge, please visit www.speciesontheedge.co.uk
Thursday 6th March 2025
7pm Islay Nature Centre, Port Charlotte
AGM business followed by a talk
“Surveys & Bird Research across Scotland Black Grouse; Migration; Mipits; Goshawks; Pigeons & Swifts”
Delivered by Clive MacKay, former RSPB Warden (Loch Gruinart). He will provide an insight into many areas of research he has been involed with across Scotland in the 19 years he has been away from Islay. Tea and cake as always to follow.
explore killlinallan shoreline and uncover the diverse biodiversity that lives there with an INHT ranger. please bring suitable weatherproof clothing and waterproof footwear. meet at the car park and the end of killinallan track.
Discover the wonderful world of Islay’s wildlife with and talk from INHT ranger Craig, please meet at Nature Centre 6:45 for a 7pm start, tea and coffee available, there may even be a biscuit.
Investigate the incredible birdlife of the seashore around Black Rock on the unique Loch Indaal. Meet at the car park next to stream north of Black Rock, then enjoy an informative walk up to Black Rock with INHT ranger. Please bring weatherproof clothing and waterproof footwear.
Identify wildlife from the signs and tracks and explore some survival skills with inht ranger, meet at Machir Bay at 2pm. Please bring weatherproof clothing and waterproof boots.
INHT big 40th week - Our final event sharing our links with Geology. Our geologist Dave will be linking the terroir connections of Islay’s rocks and the influences it has on the water and whisky. Venue Islay Nature Centre. A chance to chat over tea and cake after.
INHT big 40th week - We take our last walk of the week to Jura with Fiona Cameron to explore the coast and peatland of Feolin and Inver on a search for signs of otter and all the other wildlife along the way. A more arduous walk than usual so good footware needed and weather gear just in case. Meeting at Feolin ferry terminal for the 12.30 ferry from Islay and aiming to return for the 1630 ferry at the latest.
INHT big 40th week Opening the moth trap from last night to discover the mystery catch of the night. With refreshments and muffins. Venue Islay Nature Centre
INHT big 40th week Opening last nights moth trap to discover the mystery visitors of the night. With refreshments and breakfast muffins. Islay Nature Centre
INHT big 40th week A walk about Port Charlotte with bat detectors and visiting moth lures to observe the night life of the village. We will be setting up our overnight moth trap ready for observing the finds in the morning. Meet at the Islay Nature Centre.
FINHT big 40th week un exploring the world of minibeasts and ‘dragons’ & ‘scorpions’ in the pond. Meet at the pier Bruichladdich for onward direction to site.
INHT big 40th week We are joined by various local artists guiding art sessions in various media. Come along and get creative. Venue Islay Nature Centre
Heading for the south end of the island for an exploration of the sea creatures in the bay opposite the co-op in Port Ellen. Hermit crabs, fishes and hidden sand creatures. Meet on the green opposite the Co-op.
Games and wildlife fun all day on the Show field. The Islay Nature Centre will be closed today
INHT big 40th week Foraging the woodland plant life in Bridgend Woods with professional forager James Donaldson. Meet in the woodland car park at the Islay House Square junction.
INHT big 40th week Bushcraft fun on the beach at Port Charlotte. Shelter building, responsible fire management, and creative games.
INHT big 40th week Malcom will revisit and present a series of extracts from some of his past talks from over the years. This is our official 40th birthday and as with all our talks will be followed by refreshments and ginger cake. Venue Islay Nature Centre
2nd of our Seashore Safaris, at the Battery, Bowmore meeting at the playing fields car park (by the schools). Crabs, mussels, fishes, anemones and sea snails
1st of 3 Seashore Safari’s this week on the good tides. Fun for the family searching the rockpools and shore for crabs, fish, prawns and underwater creatures. Meet Port Mor campsite car park, Port Charlotte.
The starting event to our birthday week celebrating all the activities we do. Foraging and cooking demonstration of seaweed and it’s culinary uses with taster dishes prepared at the Islay Nature Centre.
We regret due to unforeseen health situation we are no longer able to run this event.
Hermits, prawns and little fishes (Meet Port Ellen - by the Coastguard hut, Frederick Crescent, opposite side of the bay to the Co-op)
With Lucy from species on the edge leading a session on this critical project and the species that are being protected on Islay.
7pm at the Islay Nature Centre in Port Charlotte.
Discover the culinary delights of the Islay seashore.
meet at beach area just east of black rock,
Meet on the beach below the Nature Centre, Port Charlotte