Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. Theres a visitor centre in the car park which depicts the story of the Lords of the Isles and well as explaining the significance of this part of the island. Lower Killeyan, Islay. 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. Our itinerary is not set in stone but are planning to hit some of the following: 1. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. This is such a pleasant wee exchange and one of the things I love about Islay. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). While there are dozens of tour operators willing to take visitors around Islay, the pick of the bunch has to be Rabbies. While certainly not as frequent as in an urban area there is a regular bus service between the major villages. Some will just lift a finger, others the whole hand. Your email address will not be published. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. Glasgow to Islay by Car via Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Kennacraig. Where can I do my (grocery) shopping on Islay? Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. Driving on Islay. Republishing any content, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. How long is the ferry to Islay? 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. 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. All other brands and names are property of their respective owners. I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. If you travel from Glasgow to Islay by Car it will take around three hours to get to Kennacraig. A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. You must not light open fires on Islay where there is dry peat due to the fire risk. The Series IIA on Islay is a 2.25-litre petrol, however. Out About Scotland also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Get Your Guide, Booking.com, and other sites. There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'outaboutscotland_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',817,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Route directions: From Glasgow take the M8 across the Erskine Bridge then take the A82 through Dumbarton to Tarbert, via Loch Lomond. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. 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. 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. Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. Lagavulin Distillery, Islay. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . Can you hire a car on Islay? Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? You can walk or cycle the Three Distilleries Pathway from Port Ellen, which links three distilleries in three miles: Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. 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. If you fancy a coffee or snack you can stop at the airport. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. Your email address will not be published. I don't like whisky. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. http://www.armin-grewe.com/islay/islay-faq.htm#withoutcar, http://www.isle-of-islay.net/islay_transport.html. Its not quite as scenic as Kintra Farm as the stretch of coastline is bare rock without a beach to walk along, but then you do have pubs and restaurants nearby in Port Charlotte and the Port Mor centre has a caf, internet access and laundry facilities. Remember. If you need a car on Islay there is the option of a. Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. With no synchromesh on lower gears, it . In any case Islay is the anglicised spelling, the Gaelic version is Ile. Where can I get cash on Islay? drinkaware.co.uk. There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. Verify this result with our drive time calculator. Hostels Hostelling Scotland run the family-friend Port Charlotte Youth Hostel. Why do people wave at me when I'm driving on Islay? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Follow me on Pinterest and YouTube. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45680001', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. By Car The island is also very accommodating when it comes to wild camping but there are a few restrictions which Ill cover later. Where can I access the internet on Islay? Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. 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. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. CalMac Ferries (0800 066 5000) serves many of the islands in the Inner Hebrides, including Coll, Mull, Islay and others. 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 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. I only include links to tours, accommodation and activities which I recommend and personally love. The table below has a month-by-month overview of the climate on Islay. All those activities, I'm getting hungry: Where can I eat on Islay? 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. Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Can I visit the distilleries? How can I get around on Islay without a car? 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. For the latest ferry information contactCaledonian MacBrayne: Getting to Islay by air is very easy thanks to the airline Loganair which operates two flights daily out of Glasgow International airport (GLA). The flocks are so vast the fields surrounding the loch turn black and white as the geese get their strength back after their long flight, and its an amazing experience to sit in the bird hides and watch the wildlife spectacle unfold in front of you. Having been to Mull, I found Islay to be less dramatic in topography - flatter and easier to get around. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. By Taxi Excellent lunches can be enjoyed in the Old Kiln Cafe at, There are a number of options where to stay on Islay, from the luxurious to the budget option. Cost breakdown on getting to Islay from Glasgow, by bus & ferry. travelling around the island - do i need a car. 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. . 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. That means its almost always damp and boggy underfoot so no matter the time of year you risk going ankle-deep in bog water in many parts of the island. Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos. Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. 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. 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. I hope that my writing will entertain & inspire you, and that my photos will make you want to be there - or make you hungry! 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. 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 thinking of touring the Isle of Islay and would like to know more about Rabbies I highly recommend taking a look at their website which shows all the tours they run in Scotland as well as the rest of Britain. 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). The drive takes 2.5hrs; there is also a Citylink bus service that runs three times a day between Glasgow and Kennacraig; the journey takes 3-3.5hrs. 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. 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). You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. 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. 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. Continue south on the A83 to Lochgilphead then follow the road along the picturesque Campbeltown peninsula to Tarbert before it cuts inland to Kennacraig. The monument was built to commemorate the loss of American lives when two troop ships sunk off the coast of Islay during WWI and its worth visiting for no other reason than the walk there is so nice, especially considering theres so much wildlife in the area. With that in mind I personally wouldnt recommend using buses as your only form of transport on a holiday to Islay but they do at least offer a cheap way of travelling between some of the distilleries. 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. This journey is more expensive than the Kennacraig route at 109.10 per car plus 14.20 per passenger return, and it takes around 4 hours. Before we proceed, lets address the all-important issue of pronunciation. The road then follows the path of Loch Fyne, Scotlands large sea loch, taking in some spectacular scenery along the way, including Inveraray Castle. All 18,000 of them! 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. The famous Scottish whisky island is just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, easily explored in 2-3 days. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. Vehicle reservations are recommended. 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. 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). This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". While you could travel via Gourock and the Cowal Peninsula (the most direct route) you will have to take two ferry crossings. Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. The single/return price for a foot passenger is approximately 6.50/13; cars have an additional charge of 32.50/65. Amazon Associates Programme: The Chaotic Scotparticipates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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. Admittedly thats an hour longer than driving your own car, but it does at least mean you can have a few drinks on the way and you wont have to worry about drink-driving after visiting Islays distilleries (dont forget we have a near-zero drink-drive policy in Scotland). We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. 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. There are also self-catering lodges which allow guests the best of both worlds. When I first started driving in Spain I would remember little things like "at home me, the driver, I am positioned in the middle of the road and it is the same here" that helped when turning left especially, to you it would be the opposite ie when you turn right. Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. 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. Thanks. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. 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 extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. Islay has fast become the island that I know best. 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. If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. 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. One of the best ways to explore Islay is by taking your car across on the ferry. 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. Required fields are marked *. In this website I share my experiences of visiting the top Scottish attractions along with travel tips and advice to help you plan your own sightseeing tour. 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. 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. Report inappropriate content. There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. The sail to Port Ellen takes 2 hours. I've had a few one week visits to Islay in the last four or five years, and I've never yet found the time to visit Jura, so a week is definitely not too long.
Aquastop Hose Bunnings,
How Does A Thunderstorm Affect The Hydrosphere,
Mtg Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Card List,
Shooting In Martin Tn Today,
Articles H
