I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. 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. 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. Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. All those activities, I'm getting hungry: Where can I eat on Islay? Craig Neil is a travel writer from Edinburgh with a passion for visiting Scotland's tourist attractions from the rugged Highlands to the bustling cities. The hostel is located in an old distillery warehouse building within close walking distance of the Port Charlotte Hotel, which is great for food, drinks and live music. Scotland is the love of my life, and I've devoted my career to promoting it full-time. There aren't any real extremes, i.e you won't often experience scorching hot days during the summer or freezing cold days during the winter (the winter storms can be quite strong though). You do not need a car on Islay as there is public transport with buses and taxi services. Lots of intersting geology as well, There is never enough time to do everything so I keep going back. I'm Kay, the 'chaotic' lass behind the blog. It is a beautiful route of countryside and coastline, and you can plan distillery visits along the way, followed by a street-food style lunch at the new Ardstream Trailer in the courtyard at Ardbeg: a perfect way to spend the day on Islay! The 450 service runs between the administrative capital Bowmore in the centre of Islay and Portnahaven in the south west. The roads are often winding and single-track, so care should be taken at all times, and Passing Places are there for a reason: to allow overtaking and two-way traffic on single track roads. Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. 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. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. It's stunning. travelling around the island - do i need a car. How many distilleries are there on Islay? The abundance of peat in the rugged landscape makes Islay the perfect whisky island, and it is this natural fossil fuel which gives Islay single malt its classic, smoky flavour. 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: The first day is a wash for practical purposes. Visit Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. Use the buses, they are convenient and mean you can drink at distilleries. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. Out About Scotland also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Get Your Guide, Booking.com, and other sites. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. . Then there's the Croft Kitchen in Port Charlotte or the Cottage Restaurant in Bowmore. Traffic on Islay is light, as it usually is on islands, and getting used to the 'wrong' side of the road is remarkably easy. Distillery visiting is our primary goal, including Jura. All other roads are single track roads with passing places, including the B8016 (also known as High Road) from Port Ellen to Bowmore, the B8018 from near Bruichladdich to Kilchoman and the stretch of the A847 from Port Charlotte to Portnahaven. How long does it take to drive around Islay? 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. 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 two 94.8m long vessels will replace the 36 . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. While certainly not as frequent as in an urban area there is a regular bus service between the major villages. By Bike if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outaboutscotland_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',852,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');However, if youre just popping over for a couple of days you can leave your vehicle at the Kennacraig ferry terminal car park. The Series IIA on Islay is a 2.25-litre petrol, however. Rabbies Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour. Well, they were when I visited anyway. The famous Scottish whisky island is just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, easily explored in 2-3 days. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? By using only public transport to Islay, it will cost you from 69 GBP round trip (without a car) from Glasgow, with the most expensive part being the bus. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. Continue south on the A83 to Lochgilphead then follow the road along the picturesque Campbeltown peninsula to Tarbert before it cuts inland to Kennacraig. I'm off to book a stay. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. Here is an overview of experiences on Islay, however I have covered these all in much more detail in my blog full of suggestions for things to do when visiting Islay. We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. Glasgow to Islay by Car via Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Kennacraig. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Remember. The bikes can be picked up in Port Ellen or delivered to your location of choice for 10 (free for 3 bikes or more) and they cost 30 per day. 2-3 people is fine though. Thanks so much! The Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. Getting around Islay on public transport. You can either bring your own bike or rent one on Islay. All rights reserved Out About Scotland 2023. Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. There is no direct connection from Isle of Islay to Island of Skye. There is so much more to come. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. . Just a suggestion. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. 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. Explore Kildaton church and Dunyvaig castle. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. Islay nature and wildlife. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. 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. Islay is best known for three things whisky, wildlife and the landscape and as much as I would like to include every place to visit in this article it would become far too long, so instead Ill give you a few highlights to include in your Islay itinerary. The Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. The first vehicle we drive after landing on the island, it's a quick lesson in driving older cars. Fill up before taking the ferry over though. Lower Killeyan, Islay. For ideas on how to spend your time on the island, check out my other post on the best things to do on Islay. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outaboutscotland_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',687,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-banner-1-0');That coastline, by the way, is absolutely stunning thanks to bays and sea lochs that offer breathtaking views and some of the best wildlife-watching experiences in Scotland. Where can I access the internet on Islay? Kintra Farm, near the beautiful Kintra Beach, has 4 self-catering properties on site. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! 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. Due to social distancing measures and managing capacity, foot passengers should also pre-book their journey and arrive no later than 10 minutes before departure. After a few miles you reach Islay Airport at Glenegedale and the famous Machrie Golf Course, both on your left. If you fancy a coffee or snack you can stop at the airport. By Car The A846 also continues from Port Ellen to the distilleries at Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. 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. Which port you arrive into will be determined by the day of the week and the time you choose to travel, or you can base it on which port is closest to where youre staying. Islay has fast become the island that I know best. I love the experience of flying on Loganairs wee tartan-tailed planes, and seeing the islands from the sky. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch. more. The two main services are the 450 and the 451 which will take you between Portnahaven, Bowmore, Ardbeg, Bridgend and Port Askaig although as I mentioned in the flight section, there can be an hour or more between them. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. You cannot drive around the perimeter of Islay as there is no ring road, but it is possible to drive to most parts on the mainly single-track roads. I think I can make some decions now. Explore Islay by boat. Prices are reasonable (around 60 for a single ticket) and flight times are short with a non-stop service that takes just 45 minutes. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. Disclosure: Out About Scotland is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. How long is the ferry to Islay? The bus service runs between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. They both stick to the main roads on the island. The Best Things to Do on Islay: Distilleries, Food & Outdoor Activities, Have a day at the beach at The Singing Sands or Machir Bay, Burn off some energy at the childrens play park at the, Explore the ruins and history of the Lords of the Isles at, Go seal spotting in the picturesque village of Portnahaven, Discover Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and the stunning Singing Sands. 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). At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and its rich, fertile land has earned the island its nickname as the Queen of the Hebrides. Port Ellen to Port Askaig: 19 miles, approx 30 minutes.Port Ellen to Portnahaven: 26 miles, approx 40 minutes.Bowmore to Port Askaig: 11 miles, approx 20 minutes.Bowmore to Sanaigmore: 13 miles, approx 30 minutes. The main routes are the A846 from Port Ellen to Port Askaig passing Bowmore and Bridgend on the way and the A847 from Bridgend to Port Charlotte passing through Bruichladdich. If you would rather not drive there are Citylink coaches that leave Glasgow four times a day from Buchanan Street bus station which takes around 3 1/4 hours. Our itinerary is not set in stone but are planning to hit some of the following: 1. How you choose to travel to Islay will depend on how much time you have, your budget, and where youre coming from. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. 5 . Theres a reason why this island has the nickname Queen of the Hebrides, and its nothing to do with Isle of Islay whisky. 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. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. It might be worth keeping your wild camping pitches close to the coastline where the sea breeze should deter all but the most determined midge, but for the ultimate protection you really have to cover yourself in Smidge (Amazon link). Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. Most of the shoreline comprises sheer cliffs, although there are a few sandy beaches which are fantastic because theyre usually tourist-free. I really wouldn't worry about hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If youre flying to the island and would like to hire a car, Islay Car Hire operate from Islay Airport and are based there in line with the flight times. Four visits worth of adventures and experiences, with another planned for this September, has afforded me the opportunity to immerse myself in all the things that make this island so special. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. Check out some tours and trails on the island, from sampling the exquisite whisky and finding out more about distilleries to exploring the open sea. There are only 200 inhabitants living across the island's 142 square miles which makes Jura one of the least inhabited places in Scotland. Is there an Islay guide I can print off and take with me? The three southern distilleries can be reached by public transport fairly easily, similar Bowmore and Bruichladdich. While you could travel via Gourock and the Cowal Peninsula (the most direct route) you will have to take two ferry crossings. The first is Bowmore Taxi Service which runs an excellent whisky and sightseeing tour and the second is Islay Taxis which pick up from the airport as well as offer tours around the island. Vehicle reservations are recommended. 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. Report inappropriate content. 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. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? The opening hours vary, so I would recommend taking note in advance to ensure that you dont get caught short. The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. Thanks. Where do I find petrol stations on Islay? Continue through the West Highlands towards the coastal town of Oban. Planning a week-long trip in September to Scotland, in and out of Edinburgh (Tues - Tues). There are a few campsites on the island but the two main ones are Kintra Farm and Port Mor. Islay Bus Islay Coaches runs a number of routes between the main villages, Mondays to Saturdays. These are the ways you can explore Islay without a car. Before we proceed, lets address the all-important issue of pronunciation. 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). It makes for a lovely slow drive to explore the island and see the amazing Outer Hebrides beaches surrounding. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. Thank you all for the advice and driving encouragement. With only three days to spend and 8 distilleries to visit (7 on Islay and 1 on Jura) it's going to be a rushed few days. We will ferry over with our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. 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. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. My top suggestions for family-friendly activities on Islay are: If you like to bring your beloved pet on adventures, Islay is the perfect host with plenty beaches for energetic walks, a range of dog friendly accommodation and a number of eateries which welcome dogs in the outside eating areas (some inside too) including Port Charlotte Hotel, Bridgend Hotel and Ardbeg Distillery. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Be sure to book in advance and check that the bus time links in with the ferry service; the bus pulls right into the ferry terminal for a seamless journey.

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