This will allow you to reach locations which are not served by bus and to treat yourself to a healthy dose of fresh, island air while youre at it! From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. The sail to Port Askaig takes 2 hours 20 minutes. While this may seem like a long time, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable. This is a site thats famed more for its history than its scenery but its a great place to visit nonetheless. I can, of course, use your kind donation tobuy a hot drink on my travels,or I can put it towards the cost of running my business/website, and bringing my new ideas to life. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? 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. Unless you can catch the morning ferries, you are arriving in Islay sometime in the afternoon at the earliest. travelling around the island - do i need a car. Islay hotels range from luxury resorts on scenic golf courses to historic boutique hotels and affordable . The island is also famous for its wildlife (particularly its birdlife) and its landscapes. That means its almost always damp and boggy underfoot so no matter the time of year you risk going ankle-deep in bog water in many parts of the island. 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 ? Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. Are there banks or cash machines (ATMs) on Islay? This website includes affiliate links to Booking.com and GetYourGuide. There are a dozen or so crossings each day between Port Askaig and Feolin on Jura; the crossing only takes 10 minutes. 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). As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. The Best Things to Do on Islay: Distilleries, Food & Outdoor Activities, Have a day at the beach at The Singing Sands or Machir Bay, Burn off some energy at the childrens play park at the, Explore the ruins and history of the Lords of the Isles at, Go seal spotting in the picturesque village of Portnahaven, Discover Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and the stunning Singing Sands. All 18,000 of them! Verify this result with our drive time calculator. But with a week, you can pick a day when the weather is decent.. You really get the feeling you are away from the world. Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. Continue through the West Highlands towards the coastal town of Oban. Can I visit the distilleries? Lots of intersting geology as well, There is never enough time to do everything so I keep going back. 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 timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. With only three days to spend and 8 distilleries to visit (7 on Islay and 1 on Jura) it's going to be a rushed few days. 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. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. We started this journey from nearby. 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. Traffic on Islay is light, as it usually is on islands, and getting used to the 'wrong' side of the road is remarkably easy. They all offer a great experience, so you really cant go wrong. 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). 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. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! By Ferry 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). Follow him on Pinterest and YouTube. 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. Visit Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. Check out my other blog on the top things to do on Islay. There are only 200 inhabitants living across the island's 142 square miles which makes Jura one of the least inhabited places in Scotland. 105 miles. Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands. The rest of the roads are very narrow and only suitable for slow-moving traffic so I wouldnt recommend you drive to Islay in a big 44 or anything sporty with a firm suspension, and I have to say on my last two visits I was glad I hired small cars (Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta which were perfect for the job). 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. 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. This is the most obvious route and a very lovely drive through Argyll's beautiful countryside. The quickest way to get to Islay is on the Loganair flight from Glasgow. Need a few quick answers for questions about Islay? Islay Storm Pods in Lagavulin has 5 glamping pods and a holiday cottage (Im staying in one of the pods in September). Due to its reputation as Scotlands whisky island, Im often asked if Islay is suitable for families with children. Some will just lift a finger, others the whole hand. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. Planning a week-long trip in September to Scotland, in and out of Edinburgh (Tues - Tues). We will (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Kintra Farm, near the beautiful Kintra Beach, has 4 self-catering properties on site. Fill up before taking the ferry over though. What is there to do on Islay, which activities can I enjoy during a visit to Islay? The distilleries, which are open year-round, each have their own unique stories, tours and traditions. After a few miles you reach Islay Airport at Glenegedale and the famous Machrie Golf Course, both on your left. There are a few taxi operators on the island that can be pre-booked but there are two that I used that I will happily recommend. How can I get around on Islay without a car? There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. The majority of people travelling to Islay will arrive on one of the Calmac ferries that sail daily from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. 1. Islay receives its fair share of rain (hey, the distilleries need a lot of water), but also a lot of brilliant sunshine. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . While there are dozens of tour operators willing to take visitors around Islay, the pick of the bunch has to be Rabbies. However, buses do not run to the remotest parts of the island and taxis are expensive, so taking your own car is preferable. I'll show you how to explore Scotland on public transport and how to hop around the Scottish Islands like a pro. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. 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. The bus service runs between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. Parts of this film were shot on Islay. 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. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. 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. By Bus Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides, and forms part of a group of islands which are also referred to as the Southern Hebrides: its closest neighbours are Jura, Gigha and Colonsay. Your email address will not be published. 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). Its just stunning. the best tents for summer camping in Scotland, Complete Guide to Whisky Distilleries on Islay, The Best Places to Visit in the Highlands. You can find links to a number of places in the, First of all hopefully great memories from a wonderful visit. 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. 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. There arent any massive hills to tackle on the bike, but the island isnt completely flat either, so the extra push from the eBike is much appreciated. A small delicatessen shop can be found at Kilchoman Distillery. Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! A return trip from Oban to Craignure, on Mull, for a car and two people (driver and . 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. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. 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. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. 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. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . 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. For ideas on how to spend your time on the island, check out my other post on the best things to do on Islay. Manage Settings A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. 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. At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . Can I get a beer instead? Bunnahabhain - most remote of the Islay distilleries, established in 1881. Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. There are some indoor options too, which are handy for rainy days. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. We saw seals laying on the rocks near a cove past the Ardbeg distillery as we were driving to the Kidalton Cross. 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. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. 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. Well if you are into that sort of thing. Is there anything to do on a rainy day on Islay? There are a number of important historic sites included several Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. 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. 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. The most central place to stay is in Bowmore, but anywhere would do as distances aren't that great. There is plenty to see on the journey, and once there you'll be glad you have the car to explore the less accessible places on Islay. We are mainly interested in viewing wildlife, and visiting a couple of distilleries. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. By Taxi 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. When planning my adventures, I usually start my search on Booking.com or Airbnb to see whats available for my chosen dates. 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. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. Opening hours vary, so best check before going. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. 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). COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. If you want to get to the more inaccessible parts of Islay the northeast and the southeast youll have no option but to get as close as you can either on public transport or by driving and then walking to your desired destination. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Bowmore is considered the capital of the island and the towns central location is a great jumping off point for those driving around. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. The eight existing ones are (in alphabetical order): In addition to the distilleries on Islay there is also the. http://www.armin-grewe.com/islay/islay-faq.htm#withoutcar, http://www.isle-of-islay.net/islay_transport.html. Glasgow to Islay by Car via Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Kennacraig. They will process and deliver your order. 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. 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. 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. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. 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. Report inappropriate content. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. The Big Island makes up for more than half of the entire size of the state of Hawaii at just over 4,000 square milesabout half the size of New Jersey. It is a beautiful route of countryside and coastline, and you can plan distillery visits along the way, followed by a street-food style lunch at the new Ardstream Trailer in the courtyard at Ardbeg: a perfect way to spend the day on Islay! Distillery visiting is our primary goal, including Jura. 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. Well, they were when I visited anyway. Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. I was there for a week once. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! 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. Vehicle reservations are recommended. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). If youre driving to GLA expect to take (midday): Edinburgh 1 1/4 hours, Stirling 3/4 hour, Dundee 1 3/4 hours, Ayr 1 hour. The 450 service runs between the administrative capital Bowmore in the centre of Islay and Portnahaven in the south west. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Be aware that bad weather can delay crossings, sometimes for consecutive days; advance booking is strongly recommended, too. The type of map you need depends on what you plan to do on Islay: If you only plan to visit the distilleries and other major tourist attractions, any decent road map or tourist map should be sufficient. 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 journey time from Glasgow to Kennacraig is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes and you can get advanced fares for as little as 23.60 return. I think I can make some decions now. Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The three southern distilleries can be reached by public transport fairly easily, similar Bowmore and Bruichladdich. You must not light open fires on Islay where there is dry peat due to the fire risk. How you choose to travel to Islay will depend on how much time you have, your budget, and where youre coming from. 29.1K subscribers Day Trip to Islay: Taking the car onto the Islay Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen on Islay with CalMac Ferries (Caledonian MacBrayne). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Kennacraig is 65 miles from Tarbet and is located near the top of the Kintyre peninsula. Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. Where can I access the internet on Islay? Explore Islay by boat. I only include links to tours, accommodation and activities which I recommend and personally love. 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. Join him as he shares personal experiences and tips & advice about touring Scotland. 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. I really wouldn't worry about hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it. Hostels Hostelling Scotland run the family-friend Port Charlotte Youth Hostel. There are also car-hire companies on Islay, too, with pick-up locations from the airport and ferry terminals. Its not as big as Skye, doesnt have mountainous peaks like Mull or as many beaches as Tiree, but its certainly majestic in every other aspect and its a destination every visitor to Scotland needs to experience at least once in their lives. Once on Islay head to Bowmore for overnight accommodation. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. The first vehicle we drive after landing on the island, it's a quick lesson in driving older cars. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The walk to Bunnahabhain is lovely from the main road. Some accommodation providers on Islay are not listed on booking engines or Airbnb so it is also worth just going a Google search on the type of accommodation youre after and contacting hosts directly. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Where can I get cash on Islay? It may look small, but it will take you several days to see every nook and cranny by road. Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. How long is the ferry to Islay? I don't like whisky. With only three days to spend and 8 distilleries to visit (7 on Islay and 1 on Jura) it's going to be a rushed few days. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. 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. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. On the other hand youll experience the least amount of annual rainfall and the daylight hours will be long. 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! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're looking for Scottish travel inspiration, you're in the right place. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. 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. There are a limited number of taxis however, so I would always book your journey in advance. 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. Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. 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 drive takes 2.5hrs; there is also a Citylink bus service that runs three times a day between Glasgow and Kennacraig; the journey takes 3-3.5hrs. They both stick to the main roads on the island. Wow, this forum is awesome! I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. Youll find bed-and-breakfasts dotted all over the island but as I havent stayed in them I cant offer any preferred suggestions, but if you search through them on Booking.com youll find reviews from previous guests. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. Summary. 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. 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. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. The cheapest way to travel to Islay is by ferry from Kennacraig. drinkaware.co.uk. Rabbies Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour. Do they offer tours? Jura is a similar size to Islay though it has far fewer facilities and only one village which is Craighouse on the east coast. 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. 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. All rights reserved Out About Scotland 2023. Before we proceed, lets address the all-important issue of pronunciation. Many of the distilleries stop doing tours by 4 pm. There are Petrol Stations in Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Charlotte.
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