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). Islay is best known for three things whisky, wildlife and the landscape and as much as I would like to include every place to visit in this article it would become far too long, so instead Ill give you a few highlights to include in your Islay itinerary. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. The ports are easy to reach by car; Oban is around a two and a half hour drive from Glasgow, and there are also train and bus services. If wild camping is your preferred option you wont have any problems on Islay but there are a few considerations to bear in mind. more. The crossing is just over two hours long and onboard there are many places to eat and drink. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. They both stick to the main roads on the island. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. 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. The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. . Ro-Ro & Drive Through Ferries. 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. They're just friendly, as most people on Islay. . This is a wild expanse of open moorland, lochs and coastline with a few hills on the southern side that rise up to around 200 metres. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Isle of Islay to Fort William via Port Askaig, Ferry Terminal, Port Askaig Islay Ferry Terminal, Oban Ferry Terminal, Oban, and Crianlarich in around 10h 13m. A week would be ideal. Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. The majority of people travelling to Islay will arrive on one of the Calmac ferries that sail daily from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. Join him as he shares personal experiences and tips & advice about touring Scotland. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. But with a week, you can pick a day when the weather is decent.. You really get the feeling you are away from the world. Total travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours, distance by car approx. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. Well if you are into that sort of thing. Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos. How you choose to travel to Islay will depend on how much time you have, your budget, and where youre coming from. The A846 between Port Ellen and Bowmore (also known as Low Road) looks deceptively straight and fast on a map, but as it floats on the peat it is quite bumpy and you can't drive as fast as you might think. I'm excited to share it with you. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. 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. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. This journey should take about two and a half to three hours, depending on the amount of stops, and is a very scenic drive. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Unfortunately theres no ring road around Islay so you wont be able to explore the entire coastline by car, but the A846 does at least enable you to drive from Lagavulin in the south to Port Askaig on the northeast corner, while the A847 will take you over to the western-most point at Portnahaven. 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. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. 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. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. Some taxi drivers also offer full and half day tours of the island. There are signs for the airport as soon as you enter the Glasgow city limits but if you have a satnav you might like to enter the address Paisley PA3 2ST which will re-direct you if theres congestion bear that in mind if youre travelling on the M8 between 8 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. 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. If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. There arent any massive hills to tackle on the bike, but the island isnt completely flat either, so the extra push from the eBike is much appreciated. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. There is so much more to come. There are two bus routes on Islay running between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. By Bus Kennacraig is 65 miles from Tarbet and is located near the top of the Kintyre peninsula. A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. How long is the ferry to Islay? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Islay is a superb place for camping whether its in a tent or camper van and there are several designated camping areas where you can pitch for as long as you like. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . Drive the winding road to Ardnave and walk across the dunes to see what I mean. Lagavulin Distillery, Islay. Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. Whisky is, of course, Islays ultimate claim to fame; it is a way of life on this windswept isle. Don't expect the roads to be as wide, well maintained and fast as on the mainland and calculate your travelling time accordingly. The table below has a month-by-month overview of the climate on Islay. 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. It is a beautiful route of countryside and coastline, and you can plan distillery visits along the way, followed by a street-food style lunch at the new Ardstream Trailer in the courtyard at Ardbeg: a perfect way to spend the day on Islay! Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. 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. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. Rabbies Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour. We saw seals laying on the rocks near a cove past the Ardbeg distillery as we were driving to the Kidalton Cross. Our itinerary is not set in stone but are planning to hit some of the following: 1. Manage Settings This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. Do they offer tours? Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? Also, there are generally fewer tourists milling about so you can breeze through the distillery tours without having to wait for available space. 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. If you find my blogs informative and inspiring, you can support what I do and say thanks by gifting me a virtual coffee. There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. Kintra Farm, near the beautiful Kintra Beach, has 4 self-catering properties on site. 105 miles. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! Probably best to stay centrally in either Bowmore or Bridgend to reduce travel times. 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. The abundance of peat in the rugged landscape makes Islay the perfect whisky island, and it is this natural fossil fuel which gives Islay single malt its classic, smoky flavour. Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. 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. The road then follows the path of Loch Fyne, Scotland's large sea loch, taking in some spectacular scenery along the way, including Inveraray Castle. There are some indoor options too, which are handy for rainy days. You are not allowed to wild camp in big groups. Islay Storm Pods in Lagavulin has 5 glamping pods and a holiday cottage (Im staying in one of the pods in September). Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. I do it the opposite way to you Mary Beth when we are in Spain. 5 . And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! All of the distilleries have a visitor centre in some form, some with a shop and restaurant, some just a small reception. As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. 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. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. Then this page is hopefully right for you. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! The Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre sails to Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay. There is also a ferry service between Islay and Jura, across the Sound of Islay. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. 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. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. I hope that my writing will entertain & inspire you, and that my photos will make you want to be there - or make you hungry! I don't like whisky. 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. 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. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. Thanks. Discover tips and advice for visiting the Isle of Islay with this article that explains how to get there, how to travel around the island, the weather, and the best places to visit. There is no direct connection from Isle of Islay to Island of Skye. 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. 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 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. Just a suggestion. 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. We are mainly interested in viewing wildlife, and visiting a couple of distilleries. There are a dozen or so crossings each day between Port Askaig and Feolin on Jura; the crossing only takes 10 minutes. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. Bowmore is considered the capital of the island and the towns central location is a great jumping off point for those driving around. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. 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. I'm Kay, the 'chaotic' lass behind the blog. Both journeys take around 3 hours 10 minutes and offer stunning scenery. By Car Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . Another fantastic way to explore Islay is by eBike with Islay E Wheels. Glenmachrie House offers a wonderful, homely experience with huge portions of freshly prepared breakfast plus home-baking. I admit it was a bit of a culture shock at first, but I found myself missing those friendly people on my return to Edinburgh. 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! 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. Your time visiting Islay can be as relaxing or energetic as you want it to be. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. 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. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). There are two islands on the loch where you can see ruins from those days though most of your time will be spent on the largest island Eilean na Comhairle which features several ruined buildings and medieval gravestones. The extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. 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. 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. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. 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. 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. Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch. Port Ellen to Port Askaig: 19 miles, approx 30 minutes.Port Ellen to Portnahaven: 26 miles, approx 40 minutes.Bowmore to Port Askaig: 11 miles, approx 20 minutes.Bowmore to Sanaigmore: 13 miles, approx 30 minutes. We have been visiting Islay each year for the last week of our yearly trips to Scotland for many years, and we do use a hire (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Getting to Oban from Glasgow: take the ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban or take the Citylink bus from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Oban. Once on Islay head to Bowmore for overnight accommodation. I first visited Islay in 2015 and Ive been a big fan ever since. What is there to do on Islay, which activities can I enjoy during a visit to Islay? Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. I need accommodation on Islay, where can I stay when visiting Islay? Oahu Circle Drive One of the best drives in Oahu is the circle tour, where you drive around the island. You do not need a car on Islay as there is public transport with buses and taxi services. Next take the A83 near Tarbet passing Rest and be Thankful towards the lovely town of Inveraray. 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 by taxi is a good idea if you are planning to visit several distilleries and enjoy a few drams while youre there. 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. 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. 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. They will process and deliver your order. The buses only run until the evening, so if you are relying on public transport and would like to venture out for dinner and drinks, it would be worth basing yourself in or around one of the main towns, Bowmore or Port Ellen. Stop at the village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. 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. Planning a week-long trip in September to Scotland, in and out of Edinburgh (Tues - Tues). 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. Parts of this film were shot on Islay. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. You must not light open fires on Islay where there is dry peat due to the fire risk. You can either bring your own bike or rent one on Islay. Explore Islay by boat. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. There are also self-catering lodges which allow guests the best of both worlds. The journey time from Kennacraig to Port Askaig is around 2 hours and from Kennacraig to Port Ellen 2 hours and 20 minutes. Islay is a reasonably sized island (for the Scottish west coast) but you might find it difficult to source a place to stay if youre heading there in summer. How long does it take to drive around Islay? If you don't like whisky may be take a few bottles from. 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. 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. Ballivicar Farm, just outside Port Ellen, has 3 self-catering apartments with one or two bedrooms. 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. Theres no other word for it. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. The Machrie, near Islay Airport, is Islays luxury resort-style hotel, complete with a golf course, spa, bar and restaurant. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. The distinctive yellow and blue Citylink buses will take you from Glasgow Buchanan Street bus station to Kennacraig ferry terminal in 3-3.5 hours, enroute to Campbeltown. 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. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. How do I drive around on Islay? I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. You cannot drive around the perimeter of Islay as there is no ring road, but it is possible to drive to most parts on the mainly single-track roads. There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the. We started this journey from nearby. 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. Out About Scotland is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The two 94.8m long vessels will replace the 36 . Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. 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). Yes, there are a number of banks on Islay, some also providing a cash machine: If I haven't answered your questions here feel free to, I'd love to hear from you with any suggestions and ideas for improvements to these FAQ (or the pages in general), so please feel free to. The A846 also continues from Port Ellen to the distilleries at Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. The trip over is very short maybe 10 minutes shore to shore and costs less than 10 for a car and driver so theres no reason not to make the journey. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. 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. 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 cheapest way to travel to Islay is by ferry from Kennacraig. 1. The distance between Glasgow and Islay is approximately 140 miles, which means that the drive will take around 3-4 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions. You can view the timetable and book your journey on the Scottish Citylink website. At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . 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. The Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. It's stunning. 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. 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. There are a number of important historic sites included several Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. Some "ferries" are actually just boats that fit around 10 people - for example, the Ulva Ferry from Mull to Ulva or the Handa Ferry on the NC500. Flying is the most expensive way to travel, with flights ranging from 54.99 to over 100 each way, but it is ideal if you are only taking a short break or you dont fancy the added journey to the ferry port. Theres a reason why this island has the nickname Queen of the Hebrides, and its nothing to do with Isle of Islay whisky. There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. Well, they were when I visited anyway. There is plenty to see on the journey, and once there you'll be glad you have the car to explore the less accessible places on Islay. I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours.
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