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. Three Distilleries Pathway. Probably best to stay centrally in either Bowmore or Bridgend to reduce travel times. Where can I do my (grocery) shopping on Islay? The quickest way to get to Islay is on the Loganair flight from Glasgow. Bear in mind these services are busy in the summer months so you will need to book well in advance. Transport to Islay By Car From Glasgow, head north on the A82 for 40 miles until you reach Tarbet (where the A82 becomes the A83). Out About Scotland also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Get Your Guide, Booking.com, and other sites. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . I have to mention I found the locals to be incredibly courteous and theyre very tolerant of slow tourists driving on unfamiliar roads, and theyll almost always wave to you as you drive past them. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. While you could travel via Gourock and the Cowal Peninsula (the most direct route) you will have to take two ferry crossings. There are a dozen or so crossings each day between Port Askaig and Feolin on Jura; the crossing only takes 10 minutes. Use the buses, they are convenient and mean you can drink at distilleries. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. Are there banks or cash machines (ATMs) on Islay? At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . 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. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. drinkaware.co.uk. Youll find Loch Finlaggan a few miles southwest of Port Askaig on the northeast part of the island in an area thats mostly grassland and farmland but is no less attractive for it. They will process and deliver your order. These are serviced by smaller passenger ferries, such as the Isle of Kerrera or the Small Isles, Rum, Muck and Eigg. The single/return price for a foot passenger is approximately 6.50/13; cars have an additional charge of 32.50/65. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. Edinburgh (2-3 days, flights in. Vatersay is a little island off Barra, with a population of just 90 people. We have been visiting Islay each year for the last week of our yearly trips to Scotland for many years, and we do use a hire (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Islay has fast become the island that I know best. After a few miles you reach Islay Airport at Glenegedale and the famous Machrie Golf Course, both on your left. Explore Islay by boat. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The first vehicle we drive after landing on the island, it's a quick lesson in driving older cars. Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides, and forms part of a group of islands which are also referred to as the Southern Hebrides: its closest neighbours are Jura, Gigha and Colonsay. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. As Islay is mostly quite flat (apart from the very steep hill at Port Askaig) cycling is a good option (unless the wind stops you in your tracks). Yes, there are a number of banks on Islay, some also providing a cash machine: If I haven't answered your questions here feel free to, I'd love to hear from you with any suggestions and ideas for improvements to these FAQ (or the pages in general), so please feel free to. The Whisky Coast. Traffic on Islay is light, as it usually is on islands, and getting used to the 'wrong' side of the road is remarkably easy. I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. 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. They also offer distillery tours, usually 2-3 times a day. Visit Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones. As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. Getting to Kennacraig from Glasgow on public transport: Kennacraig is on the Scottish Citylink service 926from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Campbeltown. You can view the bus timetable here. The campsite is quite basic and you dont get many facilities other than water stands and a toilet block which also has showers, but then youre allowed to pitch your tent anywhere you like and the views are stunning. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. The Singing Sands gets its name from the tiny silica grains on the beach that sing when the wind blows through the minuscule tunnels the silica creates, similar to how a glass bottle whistles when you blow across the top. Take the A83 to Inveraray and then drive south on the A83 along Loch Fyne to Inveraray (a lovely loch-side village stop at Inveraray Castle before continuing). Where can I get cash on Islay? The Chaotic Scot is packed with personality, travel tips, and destination inspiration - as well as the odd misadventure! Some taxi drivers also offer full and half day tours of the island. Before we proceed, lets address the all-important issue of pronunciation. Islay is pronounced eye-la. Islay Bus Islay Coaches runs a number of routes between the main villages, Mondays to Saturdays. The island is also very accommodating when it comes to wild camping but there are a few restrictions which Ill cover later. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Islay Info website highlights a selection of self-catering holiday homes across the island, most of which cater to large families, although there are a few smaller properties that would be ideal for travelling couples. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. I can, of course, use your kind donation tobuy a hot drink on my travels,or I can put it towards the cost of running my business/website, and bringing my new ideas to life. You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. Islay is absolutely doable on public transport for visitors who, like me, don't drive or for those who just don't want to: drinking whisky and driving is not a good mix. 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. The crossing is just over two hours long and onboard there are many places to eat and drink. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. The answer is yes to both. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. If youre wondering what is the best way to travel around Islay Ive got an easy answer for you car, with a sat nav. While youre walking along the clifftops keep your eyes open for otters which can often be seen hunting for food along the tide line, and you might also see seals, although their favourite spots on Islay are Loch Gruinart and the harbour at Portnahaven. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Many of the distilleries stop doing tours by 4 pm. The journey time to the airport can be as little as 15 minutes and you can buy tickets in advance online or on the bus on the day which currently costs 14 for an open return. I'm excited to share it with you. Kintra Farm, near the beautiful Kintra Beach, has 4 self-catering properties on site. Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. 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. Be aware that bad weather can delay crossings, sometimes for consecutive days; advance booking is strongly recommended, too. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! If the weather is the most important aspect of your holiday then obviously summer (June, July, August) is the time to go but be aware youll be sharing the island with the highest number of tourists and the hotel prices will increase substantially compared to spring. There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. If you don't like whisky may be take a few bottles from. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. Summary. We saw seals laying on the rocks near a cove past the Ardbeg distillery as we were driving to the Kidalton Cross. By Taxi However, buses do not run to the remotest parts of the island and taxis are expensive, so taking your own car is preferable. Ive created a complete Guide to Avoiding Midges in Scotland that will give you lots of helpful advice for avoiding these wee beasties, as well as a guide to the best midge repellents and the best tents for summer camping in Scotland. 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. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. Bowmore is considered the capital of the island and the towns central location is a great jumping off point for those driving around. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. 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. Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. 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. These are the ways you can explore Islay without a car. Drive the winding road to Ardnave and walk across the dunes to see what I mean. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Be aware that many of Islays roads are single track with passing places, and allow plenty of time to get to your destination what looks a short journey on a map will usually take much longer. All those activities, I'm getting hungry: Where can I eat on Islay? Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. Due to its reputation as Scotlands whisky island, Im often asked if Islay is suitable for families with children. Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is so much more to come. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. 5 . If youre not interested in wildlife youll be pleased to know the islands climate benefits from the warm Gulf Stream that ensures mild temperatures and lots of sunny days from April to August, which makes the golden sand beaches at Laggan Bay and Gruinart extremely inviting. That said, there is so much more to Islays charm than its golden drams: the landscape, the light, the coast, the cuisine, and the locals. The ports are easy to reach by car; Oban is around a two and a half hour drive from Glasgow, and there are also train and bus services. Join him as he shares personal experiences and tips & advice about touring Scotland. You do not need a car on Islay as there is public transport with buses and taxi services. Islay is famous for a number of things: Mainly probably for its excellent Islay Single Malt Whiskies from the eight working distilleries. The island is also famous for its wildlife (particularly its birdlife) and its landscapes. Just a suggestion. It is recommended to book for a tour to avoid disappointment, your best option is to contact/call the distilleries (details are usually available on their websites). If you are planning a trip to Islay, or are simply looking to get inspired, this post brings together all the essential practical information that you need to get started, from how to plan your journey and get around the island, to choosing accommodation and which distilleries to visit. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. And dont forget the Islay Wave raising your hand to greet/thank other drivers passing the opposite way everyone on the island does it, and so must you! Arguably the most scenic area of the Oa is the RSPB nature reserve near the American Monument on the southwest tip of the peninsula. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. 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. While there are dozens of tour operators willing to take visitors around Islay, the pick of the bunch has to be Rabbies. 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. Islay will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and not just by drinking drams! While the weather as a whole is quite mild (for Scotland) those winds are another matter altogether and they can make or break your holiday on the island. What is there to do on Islay, which activities can I enjoy during a visit to Islay? My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. Why do people wave at me when I'm driving on Islay? There is an infrequent ferry service from Oban to Port Askaig if you are travelling to/from this direction or if you plan to extend your adventure and do more island hopping from Oban. 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. Lagavulin - Founded in 1816, one of the three distilleries near Port Ellen. Both journeys take around 3 hours 10 minutes and offer stunning scenery. If you find my blogs informative and inspiring, you can support what I do and say thanks by gifting me a virtual coffee. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. Rabbies Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour. Cost breakdown on getting to Islay from Glasgow, by bus & ferry. 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. A return trip from Oban to Craignure, on Mull, for a car and two people (driver and . Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. 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. Discover tips and advice for visiting the Isle of Islay with this article that explains how to get there, how to travel around the island, the weather, and the best places to visit. Lower Killeyan, Islay. Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. The island sits between the Kintyre Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which looks surprisingly close on a clear day. The type of map you need depends on what you plan to do on Islay: If you only plan to visit the distilleries and other major tourist attractions, any decent road map or tourist map should be sufficient. 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. Manage Settings You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile.
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