Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for the Barnacle Geese. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. 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. travelling around the island - do i need a car. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. 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. If youre visiting Islay from overseas or you dont have a car I suggest checking the Travel Supermarket website to find the best car hire deals as a hire car will open up the entire island to you. While certainly not as frequent as in an urban area there is a regular bus service between the major villages. Opening hours vary, so best check before going. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the. http://www.armin-grewe.com/islay/islay-faq.htm#withoutcar, http://www.isle-of-islay.net/islay_transport.html. 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. Or visit the, There's a quite a variety of places where you can get something to eat: All the hotels offer food, most people I know say the food at the Port Charlotte Hotel is the best on Islay. Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. If wild camping is your preferred option you wont have any problems on Islay but there are a few considerations to bear in mind. The first vehicle we drive after landing on the island, it's a quick lesson in driving older cars. Prices are reasonable (around 60 for a single ticket) and flight times are short with a non-stop service that takes just 45 minutes. Republishing any content, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Most of the shoreline comprises sheer cliffs, although there are a few sandy beaches which are fantastic because theyre usually tourist-free. 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. We are mainly interested in viewing wildlife, and visiting a couple of distilleries. We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. One last thing if you take an electric bike to Islay youll have the best of all worlds. more. And once you've mastered Islay you can try some of the many place names on Islay with Gaelic origins like Kilchoman (hint: the c is silent, i.e Kilhoman), Bunnahabhain or Beinn Bheigeir. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. Due to its reputation as Scotlands whisky island, Im often asked if Islay is suitable for families with children. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. 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. more. 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. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. 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. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Rabbies Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. 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. 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. How long does it take to drive around Islay? 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. Scotland is the love of my life, and I've devoted my career to promoting it full-time. There are two bus routes on Islay running between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. Where can I access the internet on Islay? A week would be ideal. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. It is also illegal! Our itinerary is not set in stone but are planning to hit some of the following: 1. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. While this may seem like a long time, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable. The roads are narrow and single track and the landscape is mostly rough grassland, but its an interesting day trip, especially if you pull your walking boots on and go for a hike around the Paps of Jura which are three mountains on the west of the island that rise to 2,575 feet. There are also car-hire companies on Islay, too, with pick-up locations from the airport and ferry terminals. A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. The extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. They also offer distillery tours, usually 2-3 times a day. Islay has fast become the island that I know best. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. 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. All other brands and names are property of their respective owners. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. 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. 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. drinkaware.co.uk. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. Traffic on Islay is light, as it usually is on islands, and getting used to the 'wrong' side of the road is remarkably easy. You can view the timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . 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. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). 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. The roads are often winding and single-track, so care should be taken at all times, and Passing Places are there for a reason: to allow overtaking and two-way traffic on single track roads. 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. 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. 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. Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands. Kennacraig is 65 miles from Tarbet and is located near the top of the Kintyre peninsula. 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. There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. CalMac Ferries (0800 066 5000) serves many of the islands in the Inner Hebrides, including Coll, Mull, Islay and others. Islay is most famed for its peat-infused, smoky whisky which is exported across the world. 1. 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. There are two ferry ports on Islay, Port Ellen in the south (journey time 2 hours 20 minutes) and Port Askaig in the north east (journey time 1 hour 55 minutes). COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. 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. You can view the bus timetable here. 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. Roundabouts are painted with their guidelines forcing you clockwise as they will in the USA and mainland Europe force you anti-clockwise. I think I can make some decions now. All other roads are single track roads with passing places, including the B8016 (also known as High Road) from Port Ellen to Bowmore, the B8018 from near Bruichladdich to Kilchoman and the stretch of the A847 from Port Charlotte to Portnahaven. 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. 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 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. SCOTTISH TRAVEL BLOG PACKED WITH FUN, FOOD & INSPIRATION. Drive the winding road to Ardnave and walk across the dunes to see what I mean. The distilleries, which are open year-round, each have their own unique stories, tours and traditions. However, buses do not run to the remotest parts of the island and taxis are expensive, so taking your own car is preferable. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. Youll find a very nice beach on the Port Ellen side at Kilnaughton and another called the Singing Sands just behind the Carraig Fhada lighthouse. 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. 5 . You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. Islay will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and not just by drinking drams! It's stunning. Where can I do my (grocery) shopping on Islay? 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! Good quality accommodation doesnt come cheap on Islay, however there are some budget-friendly self-catering options available. I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. 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. 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). 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. Just a suggestion. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. The bus is the cheaper option at 25.30 for an advanced return ticket, while an off-peak return on the train is 40.90; although better priced fares can be picked up 12 weeks in advance (set up a ticket alert on the TheTrainLine to be notified when they go on sale). In any case Islay is the anglicised spelling, the Gaelic version is Ile. The eight existing ones are (in alphabetical order): In addition to the distilleries on Islay there is also the. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. Fill up before taking the ferry over though. Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45680001', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. As an example, when I visited the American memorial at The Oa (detailed further down the page), the wind was so strong I could barely stand up. Would a week be too long or is there plenty to see? 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. 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. Both ferries leave from Kennacraig on the mainland. 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. Same with the road to Ardbeg from Port Ellen, which passes Laguvulin and Laphroiag. I do it the opposite way to you Mary Beth when we are in Spain. Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! What is there to do on Islay, which activities can I enjoy during a visit to Islay? 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. 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). It may look small, but it will take you several days to see every nook and cranny by road. 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. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses as well as a large variety of self-catering accommodation. Remember. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. How do I drive around on Islay? Planning a week-long trip in September to Scotland, in and out of Edinburgh (Tues - Tues). With that in mind I personally wouldnt recommend using buses as your only form of transport on a holiday to Islay but they do at least offer a cheap way of travelling between some of the distilleries. You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. 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. Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. The Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. These are serviced by smaller passenger ferries, such as the Isle of Kerrera or the Small Isles, Rum, Muck and Eigg. 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. Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. Can I get a beer instead? I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. 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. 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. 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. Not exactly what I was looking for on an island getaway. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . How long is the ferry to Islay? Thank you all for the advice and driving encouragement. If you find my blogs informative and inspiring, you can support what I do and say thanks by gifting me a virtual coffee. It is . We saw seals laying on the rocks near a cove past the Ardbeg distillery as we were driving to the Kidalton Cross. There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". Whisky is, of course, Islays ultimate claim to fame; it is a way of life on this windswept isle. Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. The answer is yes to both. From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. A small delicatessen shop can be found at Kilchoman Distillery. If youre wondering what is the best way to travel around Islay Ive got an easy answer for you car, with a sat nav. The Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre sails to Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay. You do not need a car on Islay as there is public transport with buses and taxi services. 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 ? 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). We will ferry over with our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. Join him as he shares personal experiences and tips & advice about touring Scotland. 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. 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. This is my favourite nature reserve on Islay and its a place that I highly recommend you visit. 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. Couldn't get to Jura due to wind/seas. I only include links to tours, accommodation and activities which I recommend and personally love. Here is an overview of experiences on Islay, however I have covered these all in much more detail in my blog full of suggestions for things to do when visiting Islay. 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). And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. 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. 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. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. 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. 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. Islay is absolutely doable on public transport for visitors who, like me, don't drive or for those who just don't want to: drinking whisky and driving is not a good mix. It makes for a lovely slow drive to explore the island and see the amazing Outer Hebrides beaches surrounding. Disclosure: Out About Scotland is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The obvious choice for a souvenir is Islay Single Malt Whisky, available from the distillery shops. I mentioned this peninsula earlier but Ill repeat myself here as it really is a stunning place. There is so much more to come. Also keep in mind that farm animals might slow you down on almost any road on Islay. 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). 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. 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. 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. You can only wild camp at the same location for a maximum of 3 nights. Follow him on Pinterest and YouTube. 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. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. . Theres a reason why this island has the nickname Queen of the Hebrides, and its nothing to do with Isle of Islay whisky. While flying is faster, the crossing on the ferry is so nice it has become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. Islay by taxi is a good idea if you are planning to visit several distilleries and enjoy a few drams while youre there. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. 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. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! One of the best ways to explore Islay is by taking your car across on the ferry. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. The guide also details the arrival airport on Islay which borders Laggan Bay on the west coast. Another fantastic way to explore Islay is by eBike with Islay E Wheels. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave.
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