If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi 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. 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. 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. Its just stunning. There is a wide variety of accommodation on Islay, from hostels and glamping pods to homely B&Bs and high-end guesthouses and hotels. This journey should take about two and a half to three hours, depending on the amount of stops, and is a very scenic drive. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. Ballivicar Farm, just outside Port Ellen, has 3 self-catering apartments with one or two bedrooms. 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. How many distilleries are there on Islay? The bus stops near the ferry ports in Port Ellen and Port Askaig, and directly outside Islay Airport. 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. 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. 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. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. 105 miles. There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. The walk to Bunnahabhain is lovely from the main road. How long drive is it to Glasgow to Islay? - Glasgow Eyes Magazine After a few miles you reach Islay Airport at Glenegedale and the famous Machrie Golf Course, both on your left. 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. I don't like whisky. The Whisky Coast. 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. While flying is faster, the crossing on the ferry is so nice it has become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. There are a number of locals who run taxi services on the island, which I have used in the evenings to take me back to my accommodation. You can find links to a number of places in the, First of all hopefully great memories from a wonderful visit. Below I've listed a number of frequently asked questions about the Isle of Islay. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! Getting around :: Islay Info Another fantastic way to explore Islay is by eBike with Islay E Wheels. 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. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. the best tents for summer camping in Scotland, Complete Guide to Whisky Distilleries on Islay, The Best Places to Visit in the Highlands. Bear in mind these services are busy in the summer months so you will need to book well in advance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're looking for Scottish travel inspiration, you're in the right place. A week would be ideal. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". Jura is a similar size to Islay though it has far fewer facilities and only one village which is Craighouse on the east coast. There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. 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). Ro-Ro & Drive Through Ferries. Hi this has probably been asked before but I searched and could not find an answer..we are planning our next Highlands trip and wondered how many days to stay on Islay? They both stick to the main roads on the island. All those activities, I'm getting hungry: Where can I eat on Islay? Both journeys take around 3 hours 10 minutes and offer stunning scenery. Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch. There are also self-catering lodges which allow guests the best of both worlds. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 5 . Isle of Islay - Holidays, Things To Do & Travel | VisitScotland There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. If your primary goal is to visit distilleries you might want to consider some of the tour guides, for example http://www.ladyoftheisles.co.uk/ They will take you to the distilleries, in particular the ones impossible or tricky to reach by public transport (Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain, Jura, to a lesser extent Caol Ila). 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. 29.1K subscribers Day Trip to Islay: Taking the car onto the Islay Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen on Islay with CalMac Ferries (Caledonian MacBrayne). 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. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. Manage Settings Islay hotels range from luxury resorts on scenic golf courses to historic boutique hotels and affordable . Islay Ferry - The Complete Guide on Ferry Travel to Islay travelling around the island - do i need a car. How can I get around on Islay without a car? I usually use HomeAway.co.uk as they tend to have nicer homes than AirBnB and their prices are just that wee bit more reasonable, but their selection is also more limited, so theyve both got their pros and cons. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. 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. Where can I get cash on Islay? Where can I fill up my car? Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. I'd most certainly say the long drive up Jura is well worth it. Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses as well as a large variety of self-catering accommodation. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. Follow him on Pinterest and YouTube. 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). I'm off to book a stay. 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). Remember. 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. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. Some accommodation providers on Islay are not listed on booking engines or Airbnb so it is also worth just going a Google search on the type of accommodation youre after and contacting hosts directly. Getting around Islay on public transport. Be aware that bad weather can delay crossings, sometimes for consecutive days; advance booking is strongly recommended, too. Roundabouts are painted with their guidelines forcing you clockwise as they will in the USA and mainland Europe force you anti-clockwise. Take the Slow Road: Scotland - a driving tour of Arran Ive heard from friends that spring (April/May) is a good time to be on Islay as there are frequent sunny days, the temperatures arent too bad and the accommodation prices are lower than the peak summer season. We will ferry over with our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It is also illegal! 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. It may look small, but it will take you several days to see every nook and cranny by road. In a few short hours you will drive through all kinds of landscapes, from mountains to empty hinterland via jolly seafronts and high cliff routes. 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. 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. 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. Getting to Glasgow International on public transport is effortless as there are regular buses from Glasgow city centre to the airport terminal, but if youre driving the quickest route will be to take the M8 and look for junction 28. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. 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. The majority of people travelling to Islay will arrive on one of the Calmac ferries that sail daily from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula.

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