At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. The bay features a famously large beach known as The Big Strand which is an astonishing 7 miles long, and luckily enough for campers, Kintra Farm has the best access point. I'm Kay, the 'chaotic' lass behind the blog. You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. 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. 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). Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. And dont forget the Islay Wave raising your hand to greet/thank other drivers passing the opposite way everyone on the island does it, and so must you! Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. . A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. Lagavulin Distillery, Islay. The journey time from Kennacraig to Port Askaig is around 2 hours and from Kennacraig to Port Ellen 2 hours and 20 minutes. Don't expect the roads to be as wide, well maintained and fast as on the mainland and calculate your travelling time accordingly. 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? Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. Plan Your Ultimate Oahu Road Trip - Discount Hawaii Car Rental 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. I first visited Islay in 2015 and Ive been a big fan ever since. The A846 also continues from Port Ellen to the distilleries at Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. Traffic on Islay is light, as it usually is on islands, and getting used to the 'wrong' side of the road is remarkably easy. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. The journey time from Glasgow to Kennacraig is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes and you can get advanced fares for as little as 23.60 return. Would a week be too long or is there plenty to see? 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. The Machrie, near Islay Airport, is Islays luxury resort-style hotel, complete with a golf course, spa, bar and restaurant. Hostels Hostelling Scotland run the family-friend Port Charlotte Youth Hostel. How long does it take to drive around Islay? There is no direct connection from Isle of Islay to Island of Skye. I'll show you how to explore Scotland on public transport and how to hop around the Scottish Islands like a pro. Scotland is the love of my life, and I've devoted my career to promoting it full-time. 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. Then there's the Croft Kitchen in Port Charlotte or the Cottage Restaurant in Bowmore. Caol Ila - founded in 1846, and the largest distillery on the island. 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 crossing is just over two hours long and onboard there are many places to eat and drink. The largest shop on Islay is the Co-Op in Bowmore. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The type of map you need depends on what you plan to do on Islay: If you only plan to visit the distilleries and other major tourist attractions, any decent road map or tourist map should be sufficient. Bear in mind these services are busy in the summer months so you will need to book well in advance. Land Rover Defender: meeting the ancestors - Motoring Research 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). 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. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. Required fields are marked *. This is a site thats famed more for its history than its scenery but its a great place to visit nonetheless. Your email address will not be published. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. . 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. 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). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The bikes can be picked up in Port Ellen or delivered to your location of choice for 10 (free for 3 bikes or more) and they cost 30 per day. 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. For a map and to look around try. Drive the winding road to Ardnave and walk across the dunes to see what I mean. Lower Killeyan, Islay. While flying is faster, the crossing on the ferry is so nice it has become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. drinkaware.co.uk. There are a number of important historic sites included several Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. 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. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. Explore Islay by boat. 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. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. By Bike Oh, and a good 2000 miles to the west you'll end up in Newfoundland and Labrador on the other side of the Atlantic. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. 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. Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? Multiply this time with 60 mph average speed to get the distance traveled: 60 6.5 = 390 miles. The answer is yes to both. The rest of the roads are very narrow and only suitable for slow-moving traffic so I wouldnt recommend you drive to Islay in a big 44 or anything sporty with a firm suspension, and I have to say on my last two visits I was glad I hired small cars (Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta which were perfect for the job). 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. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. 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 don't like whisky. 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. Report inappropriate content. more. 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. The Isle of Islay in Scotland: Advice for Visitors The island is also very accommodating when it comes to wild camping but there are a few restrictions which Ill cover later. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. 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. The sail to Port Askaig takes 2 hours 20 minutes. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. 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. Below I've listed a number of frequently asked questions about the Isle of Islay. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. Outer Hebrides Road Trip: Your 1 Week Itinerary for the Western Isles 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. 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. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. This is my favourite nature reserve on Islay and its a place that I highly recommend you visit. It is also illegal! Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Where do I find petrol stations on Islay? By Ferry 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. Quick Answer: How To Get From Mainland Scotland To Islay? Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. You can view the timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. Explore Kildaton church and Dunyvaig castle. Wow, this forum is awesome! There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte.
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