Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. 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. 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. If your family enjoys being outside and can be entertained with walks, beach days and water-based activities, then you will absolutely appreciate Islay. Islay distillery tours. Bear in mind these services are busy in the summer months so you will need to book well in advance. 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. 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. Transport to Islay | islay.com Plan Your Ultimate Oahu Road Trip - Discount Hawaii Car Rental http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. 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. There is an infrequent ferry service from Oban to Port Askaig if you are travelling to/from this direction or if you plan to extend your adventure and do more island hopping from Oban. Oahu Circle Drive One of the best drives in Oahu is the circle tour, where you drive around the island. 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. 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. Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? 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. 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. While this may seem like a long time, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable. The driver guides have an in-depth understanding of Scotland, the places they take you to are incredible, and the prices are reasonable. This post was written as part of a paid campaign with Explore Islay & Jura and the information is based on my various visits to the island. With no synchromesh on lower gears, it . The largest shop on Islay is the Co-Op in Bowmore. Report inappropriate content. FAQ: What To Do In Islay Scotland? - Scotland Blog I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. The journey time from Kennacraig to Port Askaig is around 2 hours and from Kennacraig to Port Ellen 2 hours and 20 minutes. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. It's stunning. Republishing any content, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. Quick Answer: How To Get From Mainland Scotland To Islay? If you are planning a trip to Islay, or are simply looking to get inspired, this post brings together all the essential practical information that you need to get started, from how to plan your journey and get around the island, to choosing accommodation and which distilleries to visit. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Parts of this film were shot on Islay. 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). Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. Whenever you pass a local on the road, you will be treated to a friendly wave, which you obviously have to reciprocate. The eight existing ones are (in alphabetical order): In addition to the distilleries on Islay there is also the. 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. 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. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. Port Mor campsite is located on the Port Mor community centre on the northern side of Loch Indaall, south of Port Charlotte. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. How long does it take to drive around Islay? 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. Unless you can catch the morning ferries, you are arriving in Islay sometime in the afternoon at the earliest. Ballivicar Farm, just outside Port Ellen, has 3 self-catering apartments with one or two bedrooms. Can I visit the distilleries? Couldn't get to Jura due to wind/seas. They will process and deliver your order. http://www.armin-grewe.com/islay/islay-faq.htm#withoutcar, http://www.isle-of-islay.net/islay_transport.html. 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. There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. Travel to the Isle of Jura and Local Transportation - Isle of Jura Scotland 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. 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. If you fancy a coffee or snack you can stop at the airport. You are not allowed to wild camp in big groups. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're looking for Scottish travel inspiration, you're in the right place. I'm excited to share it with you. The cheapest way to travel to Islay is by ferry from Kennacraig. The Essential Guide to Visiting Islay - The Chaotic Scot There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . Caol Ila - founded in 1846, and the largest distillery on the island. There are a few campsites on the island but the two main ones are Kintra Farm and Port Mor. 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. It is . more. There are a number of important historic sites included several Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. Do they offer tours? Both ferries leave from Kennacraig on the mainland. If you find my blogs informative and inspiring, you can support what I do and say thanks by gifting me a virtual coffee. We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. 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. 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. 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. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. Loch Gruinart is a sea loch that extends inland several miles to border the RSPB Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve a 1,600-hectare reserve thats home to some of the largest flocks of birds in Scotland. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. The single/return price for a foot passenger is approximately 6.50/13; cars have an additional charge of 32.50/65. 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). If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. Arrival at Arran The ferry from the mainland arrives at Brodick, Arran's capital and main settlement. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. 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. How many days to visit Islay? - Islay Message Board - Tripadvisor COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. 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. I only include links to tours, accommodation and activities which I recommend and personally love. Coming from Glasgow you take the M8 and cross the Clyde over the Erskine Bridge. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. 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 sail to Port Askaig takes 2 hours 20 minutes. Take the Slow Road: Scotland - a driving tour of Arran These are serviced by smaller passenger ferries, such as the Isle of Kerrera or the Small Isles, Rum, Muck and Eigg. Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for the Barnacle Geese. This is the most obvious route and a very lovely drive through Argyll's beautiful countryside. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. 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 ? 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. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Port Mor Campsite in Port Charlotte has pitches for tents and motorhomes, as well as a caf and a playpark. 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. Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. The table below has a month-by-month overview of the climate on Islay. Glenmachrie House offers a wonderful, homely experience with huge portions of freshly prepared breakfast plus home-baking. 105 miles. Clicking on a question will take you to the answer for the question, use the back button of your browser to return to the top: So far the questions, here are the answers: There are a number of options to get to Islay: Visiting Islay without a car is possible and there are various ways to get around without a car: Copyright 2007 Armin Grewe - About - FAQ Jura is a similar size to Islay though it has far fewer facilities and only one village which is Craighouse on the east coast. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. Good quality accommodation doesnt come cheap on Islay, however there are some budget-friendly self-catering options available. How to get to Islay from Glasgow: a local's best guide You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? Before we proceed, lets address the all-important issue of pronunciation. The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. All 18,000 of them! . Even if youre not (yet) a lover of single malt, I would say that at least one distillery tour is a must when visiting Islay. Due to its reputation as Scotlands whisky island, Im often asked if Islay is suitable for families with children. This is such a pleasant wee exchange and one of the things I love about Islay. 7 day Scotland itinerary, how to include Islay? - Scotland Forum First time for all of us. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. 2-3 people is fine though. Islay is famous for a number of things: Mainly probably for its excellent Islay Single Malt Whiskies from the eight working distilleries. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); How long is the ferry to Islay? I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. 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). If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. 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. Can you hire a car on Islay? Some taxi drivers also offer full and half day tours of the island. 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. There is so much more to come. You can either bring your own bike or rent one on Islay. We started this journey from nearby. Outer Hebrides Road Trip: Your 1 Week Itinerary for the Western Isles A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. 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. There are usually two flights per day (only one on weekends) and the flight time is 45 minutes. 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. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? There are also self-catering lodges which allow guests the best of both worlds. 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.
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