The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Remember. Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. 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). Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? They all offer a great experience, so you really cant go wrong. 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. The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. How long is the ferry to Islay? Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. Why do people wave at me when I'm driving on Islay? In this website I share my experiences of visiting the top Scottish attractions along with travel tips and advice to help you plan your own sightseeing tour. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . For a map and to look around try. Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for the Barnacle Geese. 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. 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). Thanks so much! It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. One of the best ways to explore Islay is by taking your car across on the ferry. Please check the individual websites for opening times, tours and updates on the situation. A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. Stop at the village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi How long does it take to drive around Islay? 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. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. I do it the opposite way to you Mary Beth when we are in Spain. Continue south on the A83 to Lochgilphead then follow the road along the picturesque Campbeltown peninsula to Tarbert before it cuts inland to Kennacraig. 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 can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. The price starts at 356 and includes transport in a mini-coach, the ferry crossing and an extremely knowledgable driver-guide. Some taxi drivers also offer full and half day tours of the island. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. Which port you arrive into will be determined by the day of the week and the time you choose to travel, or you can base it on which port is closest to where youre staying. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. While flying is faster, the crossing on the ferry is so nice it has become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. I really wouldn't worry about hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 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! Bear in mind these services are busy in the summer months so you will need to book well in advance. Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands. Bunnahabhain - most remote of the Islay distilleries, established in 1881. Islay is pronounced eye-la. I think I can make some decions now. How many days to visit Islay? - Islay Message Board - Tripadvisor 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. 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). Once on Islay head to Bowmore for overnight accommodation. Islay by taxi is a good idea if you are planning to visit several distilleries and enjoy a few drams while youre there. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. All 18,000 of them! Do they offer tours? 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. Distillery visiting is our primary goal, including Jura. 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. Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. The Oahu circle drive can take you 4-6 hours, but that depends on which route you take and if you don't stop much. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. It is . 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. Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! Ferries in Scotland - A Practical Guide for Island Hopping - Watch Me See Another option for getting around Islay is the bus service which is respectable for an island service but obviously not up to the efficient standards of Glasgow or Edinburgh. Both journeys take around 3 hours 10 minutes and offer stunning scenery. 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. 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. First time for all of us. The 450 service runs between the administrative capital Bowmore in the centre of Islay and Portnahaven in the south west. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Islay Ferry - The Complete Guide on Ferry Travel to Islay Islay is pronounced EYE-LA and no one says it better than a local with their lovely, lilting accent. 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. Arrival at Arran The ferry from the mainland arrives at Brodick, Arran's capital and main settlement. The opening hours vary, so I would recommend taking note in advance to ensure that you dont get caught short. A 4-Day Islay Whisky Tour with Rabbie's Tours [Review 2019] I'm Kay, the 'chaotic' lass behind the blog. If you find my blogs informative and inspiring, you can support what I do and say thanks by gifting me a virtual coffee. . A small delicatessen shop can be found at Kilchoman Distillery. 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. Hi! 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. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. It was also pushing me towards the cliffs look at the photo further down to see how steep they are which made the whole experience just a wee bit terrifying. Isle of Islay - Holidays, Things To Do & Travel | VisitScotland 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. 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 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. The service links Portnahaven, Port Charlotte, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bowmore and Port Ellen. The Isle of Islay in Scotland: Advice for Visitors 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. My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. We spent 3 nights on our first visit to Islay this past August, and it was way too short. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'outaboutscotland_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',817,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Route directions: From Glasgow take the M8 across the Erskine Bridge then take the A82 through Dumbarton to Tarbert, via Loch Lomond. 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. Travel to the Isle of Jura and Local Transportation - Isle of Jura Scotland A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos. 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. Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! Republishing any content, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If youre thinking of touring the Isle of Islay and would like to know more about Rabbies I highly recommend taking a look at their website which shows all the tours they run in Scotland as well as the rest of Britain. The largest shop on Islay is the Co-Op in Bowmore. 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 ? Probably best to stay centrally in either Bowmore or Bridgend to reduce travel times. I've got a suggestion to improve these FAQ, where can I send it? 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. There is a wide variety of accommodation on Islay, from hostels and glamping pods to homely B&Bs and high-end guesthouses and hotels. Good quality accommodation doesnt come cheap on Islay, however there are some budget-friendly self-catering options available. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. Is a car necessary? - Islay Forum - Tripadvisor 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). As soon as I stepped foot off the ferry I was blown away by how attractive it is with its wide sweeping plains of Machar, gently rolling hills and dramatic coastline. While this may seem like a long time, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. 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. Islay hotels range from luxury resorts on scenic golf courses to historic boutique hotels and affordable . 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. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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). Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. It might be worth keeping your wild camping pitches close to the coastline where the sea breeze should deter all but the most determined midge, but for the ultimate protection you really have to cover yourself in Smidge (Amazon link). 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. Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. If youre wondering what is the best way to travel around Islay Ive got an easy answer for you car, with a sat nav. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. The Harbour Inn in Bowmore is a lovely, modern Scottish hotel which is centrally located near Bowmore Harbour and serves excellent food. 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. Total travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours, distance by car approx. Report inappropriate content. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-103124700', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car, so happy to drive about etc. Fill up before taking the ferry over though. 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. I have a wee hunch that I will be a lifetime regular on this island. If you don't like whisky may be take a few bottles from. If you travel from Glasgow to Islay by Car it will take around three hours to get to Kennacraig. Autumn meanwhile is often cloudy, dull and grey so Id personally avoid that time of year unless youre travelling in September which frequently sees the remains of summer weather with around 12 hours of daylight and temperatures hovering in the 15/16 C region. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . It may look small, but it will take you several days to see every nook and cranny by road. Don't expect the roads to be as wide . 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. While you could travel via Gourock and the Cowal Peninsula (the most direct route) you will have to take two ferry crossings. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. Explore Islay by boat. Only for Kilchoman would a taxi be needed. Visit the Ardbeg distillery for a tour and lunch. Then there's the Croft Kitchen in Port Charlotte or the Cottage Restaurant in Bowmore. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the .
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