Verify this result with our drive time calculator. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. Continue through the West Highlands towards the coastal town of Oban. 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. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. This campsite has facilities for tents and camper vans and unlike Kintra Farm there are electrical hook-up points. Where can I fill up my car? 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. 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. Islay is a superb place for camping whether its in a tent or camper van and there are several designated camping areas where you can pitch for as long as you like. Lagavulin - Founded in 1816, one of the three distilleries near Port Ellen. Ro-Ro & Drive Through Ferries. 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. Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. Out About Scotland also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Get Your Guide, Booking.com, and other sites. Summary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-103309309', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car then a 2.5 hr ferry). 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. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . I don't like whisky. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. 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). Some taxi drivers also offer full and half day tours of the island. If you travel from Glasgow to Islay by Car it will take around three hours to get to Kennacraig. The Machrie, near Islay Airport, is Islays luxury resort-style hotel, complete with a golf course, spa, bar and restaurant. Cost breakdown on getting to Islay from Glasgow, by bus & ferry. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're looking for Scottish travel inspiration, you're in the right place. 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. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. 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. The island sits between the Kintyre Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which looks surprisingly close on a clear day. Islay actually isnt as bad as the mainland for midges which I think might be down to the Atlantic winds keeping them at bay, but when the winds drop they can be a real pain. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . 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. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. travelling around the island - do i need a car. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. You can view the timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. 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. 5 day forecast for Bowmore from BBC Weather, Ionad Chaluim Chille le (Columba Centre), Islay (Pevensey Island Guides) by Norman Newton, Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and Its Whiskies by Andrew Jefford, Islay and Jura (Images of Scotland) by George Robertson, Islay: Biography of an Island by Margaret Storrie, Port Charlotte Distillery Warehouse On Islay, Accommodation on Islay section of my Islay links page, IslayBlog.com, a blog about the Isle of Islay, Scotland, Islay is the most southerly of the Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. 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. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Can I visit the distilleries? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45680001', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. There are some indoor options too, which are handy for rainy days. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. 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. Is there an Islay guide I can print off and take with me? 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. 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. These are serviced by smaller passenger ferries, such as the Isle of Kerrera or the Small Isles, Rum, Muck and Eigg. 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. I'm excited to share it with you. You can only wild camp at the same location for a maximum of 3 nights. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. Explore Kildaton church and Dunyvaig castle. Oahu Circle Drive One of the best drives in Oahu is the circle tour, where you drive around the island. There is no direct connection from Isle of Islay to Island of Skye. I still have questions, where can I get answers? This is the ancient power base of the Lords of the Isles, the Nordic-born kings who ruled over Scotlands western islands for hundreds of years and who almost conquered mainland Scotland during the time they were in power. Lagavulin Distillery, Islay. . Arguably the most scenic area of the Oa is the RSPB nature reserve near the American Monument on the southwest tip of the peninsula. We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. 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. All of the distilleries have a visitor centre in some form, some with a shop and restaurant, some just a small reception. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. Even if youre not (yet) a lover of single malt, I would say that at least one distillery tour is a must when visiting Islay. Explore Islay by boat. . 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. There are a whopping nine whisky distilleries on Islay, with more underway, so youll never find yourself far from one of these iconic white-washed buildings donned with huge lettering. And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! Can I get a beer instead? For a leisurely trip a week would be great. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. 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. 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. 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. Hi! There is a wide variety of accommodation on Islay, from hostels and glamping pods to homely B&Bs and high-end guesthouses and hotels. There are beautiful coastlines to walk around, historic whisky distilleries to visit, and incredible wildlife-watching opportunities around every corner. Required fields are marked *. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. The sail to Port Askaig takes 2 hours 20 minutes. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. Whisky is, of course, Islays ultimate claim to fame; it is a way of life on this windswept isle. I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? Where can I do my (grocery) shopping on 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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