Islay receives its fair share of rain (hey, the distilleries need a lot of water), but also a lot of brilliant sunshine. The quickest way to get to Islay is on the Loganair flight from Glasgow. Same with the road to Ardbeg from Port Ellen, which passes Laguvulin and Laphroiag. 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 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. Islay does not require a say it as you see it approach, so if youve been calling it EYE-LAY, its time to stand corrected and drop the Y. Summary. Your time visiting Islay can be as relaxing or energetic as you want it to be. [UPDATED 2020] Best Things To Do On Islay | dobbernationLOVES There are some indoor options too, which are handy for rainy days. I'll show you how to explore Scotland on public transport and how to hop around the Scottish Islands like a pro. Where do I find petrol stations on Islay? Getting to Glasgow Airport by public transport: take the bus to Buchanan Street Station then take the Glasgow Airport Express directly to the airport, or, take the train to Queen Street Station and catch the same bus to the airport from the bus stop at George Square. 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. Isle of Islay - Holidays, Things To Do & Travel | VisitScotland I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. 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). Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands. 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. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. If you allow for one day trip to Jura and another to Colonsay, that only leaves around four days for Islay itself, so its not too long. There is also a ferry service between Islay and Jura, across the Sound of Islay. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the. On the other hand youll experience the least amount of annual rainfall and the daylight hours will be long. 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). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. The bus service runs between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Islay airport (ILY) is very small so dont expect too many facilities when you get there although there is a small shop inside and theres parking for maybe 40 cars. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. I don't like whisky. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. A bus stop directly outside the terminal building follows the A846 and the A847 from Portnahaven to Ardbeg so youll be able to stop at most of the distillery villages, but I found the buses to be quite infrequent so if you mistime your flight you might find yourself waiting up to 2 hours for the next bus. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. 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. Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. The route via Loch Lomond and Inverary is longer (just over 100 miles from Glasgow) but faster, and you should be able to drive from Glasgow to Kennacraig in around 2 1/2 hours. 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. There are a dozen or so crossings each day between Port Askaig and Feolin on Jura; the crossing only takes 10 minutes. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . 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. Port Ellen, Bowmore and Bridgend :: Islay Info While flying is faster, the crossing on the ferry is so nice it has become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. Also keep in mind that farm animals might slow you down on almost any road on Islay. 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. As far as driving is concerned the roads are quite good, mostly single track but in great condition. 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. By Ferry 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. The Machrie, near Islay Airport, is Islays luxury resort-style hotel, complete with a golf course, spa, bar and restaurant. I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. Next take the A83 near Tarbet passing Rest and be Thankful towards the lovely town of Inveraray. Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Wow, this forum is awesome! Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! Islay will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and not just by drinking drams! Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. Where can I do my (grocery) shopping on Islay? There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout.
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