These are the ways you can explore Islay without a car. The island is also famous for its wildlife (particularly its birdlife) and its landscapes. 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. Also keep in mind that farm animals might slow you down on almost any road on Islay. 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. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. 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. 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. Then this page is hopefully right for you. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. Land Rover Defender: meeting the ancestors - Motoring Research A week would be ideal. Transport to Islay By Car From Glasgow, head north on the A82 for 40 miles until you reach Tarbet (where the A82 becomes the A83). 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. 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. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. 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. What is there to do on Islay, which activities can I enjoy during a visit to Islay? Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. If you are arriving by ferry, but would still like to hire a car, you will need to arrange a suitable time to collect your car from the airport. Vehicle reservations are recommended. 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. Fill up before taking the ferry over though. How many days to visit Islay? - Islay Message Board - Tripadvisor 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. Same with the road to Ardbeg from Port Ellen, which passes Laguvulin and Laphroiag. Islay Bus Islay Coaches runs a number of routes between the main villages, Mondays to Saturdays. The Singing Sands gets its name from the tiny silica grains on the beach that sing when the wind blows through the minuscule tunnels the silica creates, similar to how a glass bottle whistles when you blow across the top. 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. Three Distilleries Pathway. 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. Kintra Farm is the best location in my opinion as its near the airport so its easy to get to and its situated on the gorgeous Laggan Bay which is one of the nicest spots on the island. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. To put it in perspective, if youve ever been to Mull Id say Islay has better roads, but theyre still not as good as the roads on Skye. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. We saw seals laying on the rocks near a cove past the Ardbeg distillery as we were driving to the Kidalton Cross. Driving on Islay. There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte. Why do people wave at me when I'm driving on Islay? I would certainly do the weekly let, once you get past being on Islay for about 3 days you sort of fully slow down to the island pace and you can step back and watch. Multiply this time with 60 mph average speed to get the distance traveled: 60 6.5 = 390 miles. If you want to get to the more inaccessible parts of Islay the northeast and the southeast youll have no option but to get as close as you can either on public transport or by driving and then walking to your desired destination. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. Visit the Ardbeg distillery for a tour and lunch. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . In any case Islay is the anglicised spelling, the Gaelic version is Ile. Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. Where do I find petrol stations on Islay? 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). I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. It is also illegal! If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. The distilleries, which are open year-round, each have their own unique stories, tours and traditions. If you do, make sure youre wearing a good pair of waterproof walking boots (Amazon link to mine) even in summer because most of the terrain contains Sphagnum moss which holds water like a sponge. 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. Unless you can catch the morning ferries, you are arriving in Islay sometime in the afternoon at the earliest. There are beautiful coastlines to walk around, historic whisky distilleries to visit, and incredible wildlife-watching opportunities around every corner. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. number of lovely walks where if your lucky you can see golden eagles sea eagles and other bird of prey.We have been visiting Islay for the last 40 yrs and never tire of this beautiful island and it's superb whisky. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. 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. 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. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. The Scottish islands are my favourite place in the world, and I've visited 62 so far. They're just friendly, as most people on Islay. 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. 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. I really wouldn't worry about hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Lots of visitors travel to Islay in their own vehicles on the ferry; do remember to pre-book your car on the ferry if this is the case. Can I get a beer instead? You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. The first day is a wash for practical purposes. Please check the individual websites for opening times, tours and updates on the situation. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? Theres a reason why this island has the nickname Queen of the Hebrides, and its nothing to do with Isle of Islay whisky. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. 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). . Drive Time Calculator - Travel Time Calculator 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. Are there banks or cash machines (ATMs) on Islay? Getting around :: Islay Info Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. 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. I'll show you how to explore Scotland on public transport and how to hop around the Scottish Islands like a pro. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. 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. 1. You can walk or cycle the Three Distilleries Pathway from Port Ellen, which links three distilleries in three miles: Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. 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. Thanks. 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. I love the experience of flying on Loganairs wee tartan-tailed planes, and seeing the islands from the sky. There is so much more to come. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. We started this journey from nearby. 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. Plan Your Ultimate Oahu Road Trip - Discount Hawaii Car Rental The Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre sails to Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay. . Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Out About Scotland also participates in affiliate programs with Awin, Get Your Guide, Booking.com, and other sites. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi 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. 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). Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Whenever you pass a local on the road, you will be treated to a friendly wave, which you obviously have to reciprocate. Islay hotels range from luxury resorts on scenic golf courses to historic boutique hotels and affordable . Travelling by public transport is a slower way of travel (not a bad thing when adopting the island pace) and you wont be able to reach some of the places you would with a car, but for first time visitors or those who dont plan to venture too far off the beaten track, exploring Islay on public transport is a great experience. They also offer distillery tours, usually 2-3 times a day. 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. You can either bring your own bike or rent one on Islay. The bus stops near the ferry ports in Port Ellen and Port Askaig, and directly outside Islay Airport. Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. It is . 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. Due to its reputation as Scotlands whisky island, Im often asked if Islay is suitable for families with children. There are also car-hire companies on Islay, too, with pick-up locations from the airport and ferry terminals. Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. The Isle of Islay in Scotland: Advice for Visitors The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions.
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