Summary. After a few miles you reach Islay Airport at Glenegedale and the famous Machrie Golf Course, both on your left. 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. The first day is a wash for practical purposes. I would certainly do the weekly let, once you get past being on Islay for about 3 days you sort of fully slow down to the island pace and you can step back and watch. Both journeys take around 3 hours 10 minutes and offer stunning scenery. 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 ? 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. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. There aren't any real extremes, i.e you won't often experience scorching hot days during the summer or freezing cold days during the winter (the winter storms can be quite strong though). 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. 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 Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. 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. Join him as he shares personal experiences and tips & advice about touring Scotland. 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. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. The quickest way to get to Islay is on the Loganair flight from Glasgow. Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? By Taxi Islay FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About the Isle of Islay 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. 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. Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. 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. This is a site thats famed more for its history than its scenery but its a great place to visit nonetheless. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. A few options include, You won't get bored on a rainy day either, there's a lot to do on Islay: You could go for a swim at the MacTaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore. The sail to Port Ellen takes 2 hours. How long does it take to drive around Islay? If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. 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. If it fits with your schedule you might want to look into a tour with a local: http://www.wildandmagicislay.com/, they do a three day tour including all distilleries on Islay and Jura - even managing to squeeze in a couple of VIP/Extended tours as well. Would a week be too long or is there plenty to see? 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. You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. Good quality accommodation doesnt come cheap on Islay, however there are some budget-friendly self-catering options available. I first visited Islay in 2015 and Ive been a big fan ever since. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. Next take the A83 near Tarbet passing Rest and be Thankful towards the lovely town of Inveraray. Lots of intersting geology as well, There is never enough time to do everything so I keep going back. SCOTTISH TRAVEL BLOG PACKED WITH FUN, FOOD & INSPIRATION. A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. 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. Admittedly thats an hour longer than driving your own car, but it does at least mean you can have a few drinks on the way and you wont have to worry about drink-driving after visiting Islays distilleries (dont forget we have a near-zero drink-drive policy in Scotland). There are only 200 inhabitants living across the island's 142 square miles which makes Jura one of the least inhabited places in Scotland. Its a big airport, so I would give yourself extra time if youve never visited it before, or at least take a look at my Scotlands Airports Guide which will give you further information about it. Arrival at Arran The ferry from the mainland arrives at Brodick, Arran's capital and main settlement. If youre flying to the island and would like to hire a car, Islay Car Hire operate from Islay Airport and are based there in line with the flight times. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. They're just friendly, as most people on Islay. 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). I've got a suggestion to improve these FAQ, where can I send it? Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. The majority of people travelling to Islay will arrive on one of the Calmac ferries that sail daily from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. This journey should take about two and a half to three hours, depending on the amount of stops, and is a very scenic drive. 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. Be aware that bad weather can delay crossings, sometimes for consecutive days; advance booking is strongly recommended, too. Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch. Youll find Loch Finlaggan a few miles southwest of Port Askaig on the northeast part of the island in an area thats mostly grassland and farmland but is no less attractive for it. Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. 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. The route via Loch Lomond and Inverary is longer (just over 100 miles from Glasgow) but faster, and you should be able to drive from Glasgow to Kennacraig in around 2 1/2 hours. There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. The famous Scottish whisky island is just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, easily explored in 2-3 days. Quick Answer: How To Get From Mainland Scotland To Islay? A week would be ideal. The Isle of Islay is located in Argyll just southwest of Jura, and only 25 miles north off the Irish Coast. We spent 3 nights on our first visit to Islay this past August, and it was way too short. 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. Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. To calculate this answer, follow these steps: Calculate total break time: 15 min + 60 min + 15 min = 1 hr 30 min. When planning my adventures, I usually start my search on Booking.com or Airbnb to see whats available for my chosen dates. The cheapest way to travel to Islay is by ferry from Kennacraig. 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. Often asked: What To Do Islay Scotland? - Scotland Blog 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). travelling around the island - do i need a car. more. I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. Coming from Glasgow you take the M8 and cross the Clyde over the Erskine Bridge. 1. How many distilleries are there on Islay? 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. How many days to visit Islay? - Islay Forum - Tripadvisor Islay Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (Day Trip to Islay) 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. Ro-Ro & Drive Through Ferries. 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 extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? However, buses do not run to the remotest parts of the island and taxis are expensive, so taking your own car is preferable. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. 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. 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. Both ferries leave from Kennacraig on the mainland. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. 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. Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it. Why do people wave at me when I'm driving on Islay? Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. 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. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. They will process and deliver your order. They both stick to the main roads on the island. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. Some will just lift a finger, others the whole hand. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. I'm Kay, the 'chaotic' lass behind the blog. This is the most obvious route and a very lovely drive through Argyll's beautiful countryside. My main bit of advice would be to stay with local hosts if you can so that you can experience the wonderful island hospitality and local recommendations. 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. Same with the road to Ardbeg from Port Ellen, which passes Laguvulin and Laphroiag. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on 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. Glenmachrie House offers a wonderful, homely experience with huge portions of freshly prepared breakfast plus home-baking. There are a number of taxi firms on Islay, some of which offer half- or full-day hire as well as whisky tours, too. Just a suggestion. Islay has fast become the island that I know best. 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. The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. Vatersay is a little island off Barra, with a population of just 90 people. 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. You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. The single/return price for a foot passenger is approximately 6.50/13; cars have an additional charge of 32.50/65. Check out my other blog on the top things to do on Islay. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. Edinburgh (2-3 days, flights in. There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. 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. You can only wild camp at the same location for a maximum of 3 nights. The table below has a month-by-month overview of the climate on Islay. Roundabouts are painted with their guidelines forcing you clockwise as they will in the USA and mainland Europe force you anti-clockwise. Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. Visit the Ardbeg distillery for a tour and lunch. Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. 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. If youre wondering what is the best way to travel around Islay Ive got an easy answer for you car, with a sat nav. There are also self-catering lodges which allow guests the best of both worlds. Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 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. The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. Out About Scotland is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Its just stunning. I still have questions, where can I get answers? First time for all of us. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses as well as a large variety of self-catering accommodation. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Equally amazing is the sight of Loch Gruinart when the tides out as its absolutely enormous and has to be, without doubt, the biggest expanse of sand Ive ever seen in my life. As far as driving is concerned the roads are quite good, mostly single track but in great condition. Route Planner | Directions, traffic and maps | AA - The AA Multiply this time with 60 mph average speed to get the distance traveled: 60 6.5 = 390 miles. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? Make Traigh a Bhaigh Beach your first port of call. Getting around Islay on public transport. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're looking for Scottish travel inspiration, you're in the right place. The guide also details the arrival airport on Islay which borders Laggan Bay on the west coast. By Bike Arguably the most scenic area of the Oa is the RSPB nature reserve near the American Monument on the southwest tip of the peninsula. All 18,000 of them! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-103309309', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car then a 2.5 hr ferry). Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The walk to Bunnahabhain is lovely from the main road. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . 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. Their business speciality is small-group tours for no more than 16 people at a time, travelling in comfortable minibuses where passengers will meet new people and never feel lost in a sea of strangers. 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. Oahu Circle Drive One of the best drives in Oahu is the circle tour, where you drive around the island. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. 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. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. The Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre sails to Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay. The Whisky Coast. Explore Islay by boat. The island sits between the Kintyre Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which looks surprisingly close on a clear day. I've had a few one week visits to Islay in the last four or five years, and I've never yet found the time to visit Jura, so a week is definitely not too long.

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