Theres a youth hostel in Port Charlotte if thats your thing, and there are a handful of hotels spread across the towns, but I always prefer to stay in AirBnBs as you get so much more for your money. Getting to Kennacraig from Glasgow on public transport: Kennacraig is on the Scottish Citylink service 926from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Campbeltown. If you talk to the taxi companies they might be able to put something together as well. A small delicatessen shop can be found at Kilchoman Distillery. There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. This is the most obvious route and a very lovely drive through Argyll's beautiful countryside. Many of the distilleries stop doing tours by 4 pm. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. A return trip from Oban to Craignure, on Mull, for a car and two people (driver and . 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 Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. 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. 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. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . 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. Getting around :: Islay Info Visit Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones. . 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. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Only for Kilchoman would a taxi be needed. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. How long drive is it to Glasgow to Islay? - Glasgow Eyes Magazine Follow him on Pinterest and YouTube. If youre wondering what is the best way to travel around Islay Ive got an easy answer for you car, with a sat nav. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. Ballivicar Farm, just outside Port Ellen, has 3 self-catering apartments with one or two bedrooms. That said, there is so much more to Islays charm than its golden drams: the landscape, the light, the coast, the cuisine, and the locals. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. 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). There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. 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. The famous Scottish whisky island is just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, easily explored in 2-3 days. Three Distilleries Pathway. Stop at the village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. Rabbies Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour. Vehicle reservations are recommended. 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. Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. travelling around the island - do i need a car. This campsite has facilities for tents and camper vans and unlike Kintra Farm there are electrical hook-up points. Manage Settings Report inappropriate content. Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. The Isle of Islay is one of the best places in Scotland to experience everything that makes the country such a magical destination for tourists. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . 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. A week would be ideal. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. How do I drive around on Islay? It's stunning. There is a reliable bus service, but buses are not all that frequent, and you would struggle to get round many distilleries in your short visit. Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! There are two bus routes on Islay running between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. While this may seem like a long time, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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). Fill up before taking the ferry over though. If it fits with your schedule you might want to look into a tour with a local: http://www.wildandmagicislay.com/, they do a three day tour including all distilleries on Islay and Jura - even managing to squeeze in a couple of VIP/Extended tours as well. The Series IIA on Islay is a 2.25-litre petrol, however. Travel to the Isle of Jura and Local Transportation - Isle of Jura Scotland It was also pushing me towards the cliffs look at the photo further down to see how steep they are which made the whole experience just a wee bit terrifying. Get the ferry to Islay from Kennacraig on Kintyre, landing at Port Ellen (2 hours 20 minutes) or Port Askaig (from 1 hour 55 minutes). If your family enjoys being outside and can be entertained with walks, beach days and water-based activities, then you will absolutely appreciate Islay. Islay is most famed for its peat-infused, smoky whisky which is exported across the world. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? Thanks. As far as driving is concerned the roads are quite good, mostly single track but in great condition. The most central place to stay is in Bowmore, but anywhere would do as distances aren't that great. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'outaboutscotland_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',829,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'outaboutscotland_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',829,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-829{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:25px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:20px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Ive personally used Rabbies before, and every time has been an enjoyable experience. Be aware that many of Islays roads are single track with passing places, and allow plenty of time to get to your destination what looks a short journey on a map will usually take much longer. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. Youll see lots of different bird species throughout the year from choughs to golden eagles and there are huge flocks of seabirds like fulmars, razorbills and kittiwakes that make their homes in the steep cliffs. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. The walk to Bunnahabhain is lovely from the main road. The extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . Getting around Islay on public transport. Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? 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. The bus service runs between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. 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. The guide also details the arrival airport on Islay which borders Laggan Bay on the west coast. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. I do it the opposite way to you Mary Beth when we are in Spain. Explore Islay by boat. I make a wee commission if you book through these links, which will go towards the cost of running this website, and creating valuable content to help you plan your Scottish adventures. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses as well as a large variety of self-catering accommodation. 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). Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. Can you hire a car on Islay? Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. For ideas on how to spend your time on the island, check out my other post on the best things to do on Islay. The Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. Take the A83 to Inveraray and then drive south on the A83 along Loch Fyne to Inveraray (a lovely loch-side village stop at Inveraray Castle before continuing). . Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. Isle of Jura: Complete Visitor Guide | Out About Scotland Continue through the West Highlands towards the coastal town of Oban. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. Multiply this time with 60 mph average speed to get the distance traveled: 60 6.5 = 390 miles. Land Rover Defender: meeting the ancestors - Motoring Research 2-3 people is fine though. 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. Subtract this from 8 hours to get 8 - 1:30 = 6 hr 30 min. Its easy to just start walking about and see what you find, but a professional tour guide will be able to take you to all the must-see spots as well as the off-the-beaten-path jewels that only the locals know about. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. You do not need a car on Islay as there is public transport with buses and taxi services. How long does it take to drive around Islay? The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. The service links Portnahaven, Port Charlotte, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bowmore and Port Ellen. Lagavulin - Founded in 1816, one of the three distilleries near Port Ellen. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. Islay is pronounced EYE-LA and no one says it better than a local with their lovely, lilting accent. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. 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. They will process and deliver your order. 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 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. If wild camping is your preferred option you wont have any problems on Islay but there are a few considerations to bear in mind. Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. 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. Ferries in Scotland - A Practical Guide for Island Hopping - Watch Me See Next take the A83 near Tarbet passing Rest and be Thankful towards the lovely town of Inveraray. Lower Killeyan, Islay. Wow, this forum is awesome! Thank you all for the advice and driving encouragement. There is a wide variety of accommodation on Islay, from hostels and glamping pods to homely B&Bs and high-end guesthouses and hotels. 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. The 450 service runs between the administrative capital Bowmore in the centre of Islay and Portnahaven in the south west. Fiona's Taxis - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302622 / Mobile: +44 (0) 780 8303200, Lamont Campbell - tel: +44 (0) 1496 810398 / Mobile: +44 (0) 7899 756159, Jim Davis - tel: +44 (0) 1496 810398 / Mobile +44 (0) 7762 590055, Rhinns Taxi - tel: +44 (0) 1496 850170 / Mobile +44 (0) 7771 921157, in addition to a bus service: http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf. 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. We started this journey from nearby. Clicking on a question will take you to the answer for the question, use the back button of your browser to return to the top: So far the questions, here are the answers: There are a number of options to get to Islay: Visiting Islay without a car is possible and there are various ways to get around without a car: Copyright 2007 Armin Grewe - About - FAQ Another fantastic way to explore Islay is by eBike with Islay E Wheels. Getting Around Islay | islay.com . 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. 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. The bus services run between 7.20 am to 6.30 pm midweek and 8.10 am to 6.30 pm at the weekend, but there is no service on Sunday so you could find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere if you miss the last one on Saturday evening which is where Islays taxi services will come to the rescue. Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. My main bit of advice would be to stay with local hosts if you can so that you can experience the wonderful island hospitality and local recommendations. 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. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. 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. 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 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). See website for route schedules. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. Definitely a week,a full day on Jura is a must , providing the weather is sunny as like Islay you only see it at its best when it's sunny On Islay there are. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". By Bike I mentioned this peninsula earlier but Ill repeat myself here as it really is a stunning place. You can view the timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. Islay Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (Day Trip to Islay) CalMac Ferries (0800 066 5000) serves many of the islands in the Inner Hebrides, including Coll, Mull, Islay and others.

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