Just a suggestion. Every Sunday at 10am, the Velo Club dArdbeg meet at Bruichladdich Mini-Market (aka Debbies) before setting off on a ride; newcomers are more than welcome to join them. I'd most certainly say the long drive up Jura is well worth it. Glenegedale House (my favourite place to stay on Islay) is a 5*, multi-award winning guesthouse which serves sharing boards on whisky barrel tops and Laphroaig with your breakfast porridge. If you travel from Glasgow to Islay by Car it will take around three hours to get to Kennacraig. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! Getting to Kennacraig from Glasgow on public transport: Kennacraig is on the Scottish Citylink service 926from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Campbeltown. . Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. In particular if you are staying in self-catering accommodation you might need to know where you can get your (grocery) shopping done. Some accommodation providers on Islay are not listed on booking engines or Airbnb so it is also worth just going a Google search on the type of accommodation youre after and contacting hosts directly. The most central place to stay is in Bowmore, but anywhere would do as distances aren't that great. Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Of course, many people visit Islay for the whisky distilleries there are 9 of them but the island is also a nature-lovers dream destination and photographers will have a memorable time at places like Loch Gruinart (home to over 20,000 geese) and Loch Indaal (home of rare birds like corncrake and chough). Definitely a week,a full day on Jura is a must , providing the weather is sunny as like Islay you only see it at its best when it's sunny On Islay there are. Islay distillery tours. Make Traigh a Bhaigh Beach your first port of call. Ive visited Islay in February and August so I know first-hand that the winter months are probably best avoided unless you absolutely have to travel at that time of year, even though there are plenty of distilleries to hide inside. Not exactly what I was looking for on an island getaway. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. Its a little tricky to get to if youve booked accommodation in the Port Ellen area as its located all the way up at the northern tip of the island, but its an absolutely beautiful place. The island is also famous for its wildlife (particularly its birdlife) and its landscapes. The bay features a famously large beach known as The Big Strand which is an astonishing 7 miles long, and luckily enough for campers, Kintra Farm has the best access point. Where can I access the internet on Islay? As an example, when I visited the American memorial at The Oa (detailed further down the page), the wind was so strong I could barely stand up. Cycling round the island to see Islays nature and wildlife up close is ideal, not least due to the largely flat terrain and the low level of traffic on the island. They will process and deliver your order. Where can I get cash on Islay? The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. It may look small, but it will take you several days to see every nook and cranny by road. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. This is an island that offers visitors a wonderful experience whether its wildlife watching, relaxing on a beach, hiking through picturesque countryside or boat tours around the coastline. The first vehicle we drive after landing on the island, it's a quick lesson in driving older cars. Required fields are marked *. There are two ways to reach Islay via plane: a 45-minute flight from Glasgow, run by Flybe twice daily, and a 40/55-minute flight from Oban (the latter via Colonsay), run by Hebridean Air Services twice a week. Planning a week-long trip in September to Scotland, in and out of Edinburgh (Tues - Tues). It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. Would a week be too long or is there plenty to see? We started this journey from nearby. Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. more. There are two bus routes on Islay running between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. A few options include, You won't get bored on a rainy day either, there's a lot to do on Islay: You could go for a swim at the MacTaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. In a few short hours you will drive through all kinds of landscapes, from mountains to empty hinterland via jolly seafronts and high cliff routes. Caol Ila - founded in 1846, and the largest distillery on the island. If you do, make sure youre wearing a good pair of waterproof walking boots (Amazon link to mine) even in summer because most of the terrain contains Sphagnum moss which holds water like a sponge. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. This will allow you to reach locations which are not served by bus and to treat yourself to a healthy dose of fresh, island air while youre at it! The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. The guide also details the arrival airport on Islay which borders Laggan Bay on the west coast. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Port Mor Campsite in Port Charlotte has pitches for tents and motorhomes, as well as a caf and a playpark. If it fits with your schedule you might want to look into a tour with a local: http://www.wildandmagicislay.com/, they do a three day tour including all distilleries on Islay and Jura - even managing to squeeze in a couple of VIP/Extended tours as well. If you talk to the taxi companies they might be able to put something together as well. At the moment, due to COVID restrictions, the distilleries are open to visitors, but some still arent offering their usual tours or a visit must be booked by appointment. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. Coming from Glasgow you take the M8 and cross the Clyde over the Erskine Bridge. It was also pushing me towards the cliffs look at the photo further down to see how steep they are which made the whole experience just a wee bit terrifying. Its not as big as Skye, doesnt have mountainous peaks like Mull or as many beaches as Tiree, but its certainly majestic in every other aspect and its a destination every visitor to Scotland needs to experience at least once in their lives. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? There is plenty to see on the journey, and once there you'll be glad you have the car to explore the less accessible places on Islay. The rest of the roads are very narrow and only suitable for slow-moving traffic so I wouldnt recommend you drive to Islay in a big 44 or anything sporty with a firm suspension, and I have to say on my last two visits I was glad I hired small cars (Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta which were perfect for the job). There are beautiful coastlines to walk around, historic whisky distilleries to visit, and incredible wildlife-watching opportunities around every corner. There are a number of locals who run taxi services on the island, which I have used in the evenings to take me back to my accommodation. I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? Islay hotels range from luxury resorts on scenic golf courses to historic boutique hotels and affordable . I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. For the latest forecast try the, As Islay is in Scotland which in turn is part of the United Kingdom the official language is English, to a lesser or larger extent with a Scottish accent/dialect. Head to Lower Killeyan and youll discover another nice beach with a large cave thats completely sheltered, or walk towards Loch Indaal to find the 7-mile-long Big Strand. http://www.armin-grewe.com/islay/islay-faq.htm#withoutcar, http://www.isle-of-islay.net/islay_transport.html. Theres no other word for it. As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45680001', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. The island can be visited by air and by sea, but you might be best off catching the ferry when the weather picks up (i.e. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. The bus services run between 7.20 am to 6.30 pm midweek and 8.10 am to 6.30 pm at the weekend, but there is no service on Sunday so you could find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere if you miss the last one on Saturday evening which is where Islays taxi services will come to the rescue. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I mentioned this peninsula earlier but Ill repeat myself here as it really is a stunning place. We will (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The buses only run until the evening, so if you are relying on public transport and would like to venture out for dinner and drinks, it would be worth basing yourself in or around one of the main towns, Bowmore or Port Ellen. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. There are a few taxi operators on the island that can be pre-booked but there are two that I used that I will happily recommend. Your time visiting Islay can be as relaxing or energetic as you want it to be. Some will just lift a finger, others the whole hand. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. While certainly not as frequent as in an urban area there is a regular bus service between the major villages. There are two islands on the loch where you can see ruins from those days though most of your time will be spent on the largest island Eilean na Comhairle which features several ruined buildings and medieval gravestones. The Big Island makes up for more than half of the entire size of the state of Hawaii at just over 4,000 square milesabout half the size of New Jersey. Thanks. Youll find a very nice beach on the Port Ellen side at Kilnaughton and another called the Singing Sands just behind the Carraig Fhada lighthouse. One last thing if you take an electric bike to Islay youll have the best of all worlds. Their business speciality is small-group tours for no more than 16 people at a time, travelling in comfortable minibuses where passengers will meet new people and never feel lost in a sea of strangers. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. Its easy to just start walking about and see what you find, but a professional tour guide will be able to take you to all the must-see spots as well as the off-the-beaten-path jewels that only the locals know about. Islay Storm Pods in Lagavulin has 5 glamping pods and a holiday cottage (Im staying in one of the pods in September). If youre driving to GLA expect to take (midday): Edinburgh 1 1/4 hours, Stirling 3/4 hour, Dundee 1 3/4 hours, Ayr 1 hour. If you want to get to the more inaccessible parts of Islay the northeast and the southeast youll have no option but to get as close as you can either on public transport or by driving and then walking to your desired destination. There are a number of taxi firms on Islay, some of which offer half- or full-day hire as well as whisky tours, too. From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. If youre visiting Islay from overseas or you dont have a car I suggest checking the Travel Supermarket website to find the best car hire deals as a hire car will open up the entire island to you. Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. As far as whisky is concerned Ive created a Complete Guide to Whisky Distilleries on Islay so bookmark it to read at your leisure if youre visiting the island for a dram or two. Driving Tour Distance (miles/km) Time; Circular Tour from Bridgend via Loch Gorm and Loch Gruinart: 19-35 Miles, 31-56Km: 2 - 5 Hours: Circular Tour Rhinns of Islay : 20 Miles, 32Km: Stop at the village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. On the other hand youll experience the least amount of annual rainfall and the daylight hours will be long. From Kennacraig, ferries run to Port Ellen three times a day (2hr 20min crossing time) and twice a day to Port Askaig (2hr 5min), with extra crossings during the Feis Ile festival in May. Some visitors will benefit from simply enjoying the food, drink and slower pace, while others will be excited to try the outdoor and water-based activities. There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. I hope that my writing will entertain & inspire you, and that my photos will make you want to be there - or make you hungry! As soon as I stepped foot off the ferry I was blown away by how attractive it is with its wide sweeping plains of Machar, gently rolling hills and dramatic coastline. Whenever you pass a local on the road, you will be treated to a friendly wave, which you obviously have to reciprocate. A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. 1. Equally amazing is the sight of Loch Gruinart when the tides out as its absolutely enormous and has to be, without doubt, the biggest expanse of sand Ive ever seen in my life. The famous Scottish whisky island is just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, easily explored in 2-3 days. My main bit of advice would be to stay with local hosts if you can so that you can experience the wonderful island hospitality and local recommendations. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. I first visited Islay in 2015 and Ive been a big fan ever since. Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The distance between Glasgow and Islay is approximately 140 miles, which means that the drive will take around 3-4 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions. The Harbour Inn in Bowmore is a lovely, modern Scottish hotel which is centrally located near Bowmore Harbour and serves excellent food. Islay is absolutely doable on public transport for visitors who, like me, dont drive or for those who just dont want to: drinking whisky and driving is not a good mix. The 450 runs from Bowmore in the centre of the island to Portnahaven in the south west, while the 451 runs between Port Askaig in the north-east down to Port Ellen and Ardbeg in the south. The journey time from Kennacraig to Port Askaig is around 2 hours and from Kennacraig to Port Ellen 2 hours and 20 minutes. The Kennacraig ferry departs three times daily on a sailing that takes around 2 1/4 hours and its the most frequently used route for visitors coming from the south of Scotland. The single/return price for a foot passenger is approximately 6.50/13; cars have an additional charge of 32.50/65. For hotels, take a look at this selection which varies in price and location but has good reviews: Ill keep this introduction short and say the best time of the year to visit Islay is from April to August, but if youd like a wee bit more information keep reading. Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. Your email address will not be published. You can walk or cycle the Three Distilleries Pathway from Port Ellen, which links three distilleries in three miles: Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. How do I drive around on Islay? There are a dozen or so crossings each day between Port Askaig and Feolin on Jura; the crossing only takes 10 minutes. Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. Another option for getting around Islay is the bus service which is respectable for an island service but obviously not up to the efficient standards of Glasgow or Edinburgh. As nice as Islay is for walking you might like to hop on the ferry to the neighbouring Isle of Jura which can be reached from the terminal at Port Askaig. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. The Scottish islands are my favourite place in the world, and I've visited 62 so far. Islay Bus Islay Coaches runs a number of routes between the main villages, Mondays to Saturdays. We will ferry over with our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Many of the distilleries stop doing tours by 4 pm. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. The roads are narrow and single track and the landscape is mostly rough grassland, but its an interesting day trip, especially if you pull your walking boots on and go for a hike around the Paps of Jura which are three mountains on the west of the island that rise to 2,575 feet. Explore Islay by boat. Summary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. The two 94.8m long vessels will replace the 36 . Quite a few people also speak, Yes, there are a number of books about Islay: A good entry level book with quite a few pictures is. . The island sits between the Kintyre Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which looks surprisingly close on a clear day. You can view the timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. The A846 between Port Ellen and Bowmore (also known as Low Road) looks deceptively straight and fast on a map, but as it floats on the peat it is quite bumpy and you can't drive as fast as you might think. You can only wild camp at the same location for a maximum of 3 nights. The Whisky Coast. Due to its reputation as Scotlands whisky island, Im often asked if Islay is suitable for families with children. Islay receives its fair share of rain (hey, the distilleries need a lot of water), but also a lot of brilliant sunshine. If your family enjoys being outside and can be entertained with walks, beach days and water-based activities, then you will absolutely appreciate Islay. There are five petrol stations (or gas stations for Americans) on Islay I can think of: Port Ellen (on Charlotte Street next to the White Hart Hotel), Bowmore (Jamieson Street, off Main Street), Bridgend (right at the square), Port Charlotte (next to the Spar shop/ post office on Main Street) and Port Askaig (next to the waiting area for the Kennacraig ferry).
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