Isle of Islay
Contents |
Isle of Islay
Introduction to Islay
Phone code: +44 (0)1496
Islay (pronounced eye-la), the most southerly of the Hebridean islands and one of the most populous, with around 4,000 inhabitants, has one very important claim to fame - single malt whisky. Islay produces a very distinctive, peaty malt and connoisseurs are in for a treat, as the island has no fewer than seven working distilleries. Aside from whisky, people also come here to watch birds. The island is something of an ornithologists' wonderland, and from October to April plays host to migrating barnacle and white-fronted geese flying down from Greenland in their thousands for the winter.
If that leaves you cold, then there's always the spectacular coastal scenery, from the wild Mull of Oa to the glorious beach at Laggan Bay. Compared to other islands like Skye, Mull or Arran, Islay receives few visitors, mainly due to its distance from the mainland, giving it a really isolated feel.
Isle of Islay | Port Ellen and around | The Rinns of Islay | Around Port Askaig
Getting to Islay
Islay can be reached by air from Glasgow. The airport is at Glenegedale, a few miles north of Port Ellen on the road to Bowmore.
The ferry to Islay (and Jura) from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (2 hrs 10 mins) sails 1 daily on Mon and Sun and 2 daily on Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat; and to Port Askaig (2 hrs) 1 daily on Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat and 2 daily Mon. The ferry from Oban to Port Askaig sails on Wed (4 hrs 15 mins). From Colonsay to Port Askaig (1 hr 10 mins) there is a sailing on Wed. CalMac offices: Kennacraig, Tel. 01880-730253; Port Ellen, Tel. 01496-302209.
It takes about 2€ hrs to drive to Kennacraig from Glasgow, and there's a daily bus from Glasgow to Kennacraig (with West Coast Motors) which connects with the ferry to Islay (for bus times, contact Buchanan Street bus station, Tel. 0141-3333708, or Traveline Tel. 0870-6082608).
Getting around Islay
Because the island is partially Gaelic-speaking the road signs are bilingual. For those without their own transport, there's a regular bus service around the island, with Islay Coaches, Tel. 840273, and Royal Mail Postbuses, Tel. 01246 546329.
There are buses from Portnahaven to Port Ellen, via Port Charlotte, Bridgend, Bowmore and the airport; from Port Askaig to Port Ellen via Ballygrant, Bridgend, Bowmore and the airport; from Port Ellen to Ardbeg Distillery, Bowmore, Port Askaig and Portnahaven, and also a postbus to Bunnababhain. Buses run regularly at least from Mon-Sat, but only once on Sun. For bus times, pick up a copy of the timetable from the tourist office in Bowmore, Tarbert, Lochgilphead or Oban, or contact the Public Transport Helpline, Tel. 015456-604695
For car hire there's D N Mackenzie at Glenegedale, Tel. 302300. Taxi hire at Carol's Cabs, Frederick Cres, Port Ellen, Tel. 302155. Bicycle hire at Port Ellen Playing Fields Association, Tel. 07831-246911; the Post Office, Bowmore, Tel. 810366; and Mick Stuart, Lennox St, Port Ellen, Tel. 302391, who is also a wildlife guide.
Information about Islay
Islay's only official Tourist Information Centre is in Bowmore, Tel. 810254. Apr-Jun Mon-Sat 0930-1700 (and Sun 1400-1700); Jul-Sep Mon-Sat 0930-1730, Sun 1400-1700; Sep and Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Oct-Mar Mon-Fri 1200-1600. They'll find accommodation for you.