I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? 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. Lower Killeyan, Islay. FAQ: What To Do In Islay Scotland? - Scotland Blog Continue south on the A83 to Lochgilphead then follow the road along the picturesque Campbeltown peninsula to Tarbert before it cuts inland to Kennacraig. I try to dedicate a day to spend on Jura at least. . Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. Having said that, there is taxi service on the island, and there is excellent bus service. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Islay by taxi is a good idea if you are planning to visit several distilleries and enjoy a few drams while youre there. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. You must not disturb any animals or damage any plants. This journey should take about two and a half to three hours, depending on the amount of stops, and is a very scenic drive. There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'outaboutscotland_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',829,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'outaboutscotland_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',829,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-829{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:25px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:20px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Ive personally used Rabbies before, and every time has been an enjoyable experience. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. Total travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours, distance by car approx. Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos. There are also self-catering lodges which allow guests the best of both worlds. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. Your time visiting Islay can be as relaxing or energetic as you want it to be. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. Ro-Ro & Drive Through Ferries. Bowmore is considered the capital of the island and the towns central location is a great jumping off point for those driving around. If you travel from Glasgow to Islay by Car it will take around three hours to get to Kennacraig. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. First time for all of us. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); Port Ellen, Bowmore and Bridgend :: Islay Info We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. What is there to do on Islay, which activities can I enjoy during a visit to Islay? If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . Islay is absolutely doable on public transport for visitors who, like me, don't drive or for those who just don't want to: drinking whisky and driving is not a good mix. There are 9 distilleries on Islay and most have tours and visitor centres. The Series IIA on Islay is a 2.25-litre petrol, however. You will also have to deal with the enemy of all Scottish wild campers the infamous midge. Need a few quick answers for questions about Islay? You can only wild camp at the same location for a maximum of 3 nights. We are mainly interested in viewing wildlife, and visiting a couple of distilleries. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. Explore Islay by boat. Often asked: What To Do Islay Scotland? - Scotland Blog 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 is more expensive than the Kennacraig route at 109.10 per car plus 14.20 per passenger return, and it takes around 4 hours. By Car Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? 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). Lagavulin - Founded in 1816, one of the three distilleries near Port Ellen. 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. 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. A small delicatessen shop can be found at Kilchoman Distillery. Scotland is the love of my life, and I've devoted my career to promoting it full-time. Islay Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (Day Trip to Islay) 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. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. 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. Islay Storm Pods in Lagavulin has 5 glamping pods and a holiday cottage (Im staying in one of the pods in September). 105 miles. A week would be ideal. The price starts at 356 and includes transport in a mini-coach, the ferry crossing and an extremely knowledgable driver-guide. This campsite has facilities for tents and camper vans and unlike Kintra Farm there are electrical hook-up points. Whenever you pass a local on the road, you will be treated to a friendly wave, which you obviously have to reciprocate. The extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. Glasgow to Islay by Car and Ferry - 4 Different Routes Tips Travel Times It is also illegal! Quick Answer: How To Get From Mainland Scotland To Islay? Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . 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. 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. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. 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). ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. 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). Head to Lower Killeyan and youll discover another nice beach with a large cave thats completely sheltered, or walk towards Loch Indaal to find the 7-mile-long Big Strand. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Route Planner | Directions, traffic and maps | AA - The AA 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. Getting to Glasgow International on public transport is effortless as there are regular buses from Glasgow city centre to the airport terminal, but if youre driving the quickest route will be to take the M8 and look for junction 28. The Chaotic Scot is packed with personality, travel tips, and destination inspiration - as well as the odd misadventure! How long is the ferry to Islay? Youll find a very nice beach on the Port Ellen side at Kilnaughton and another called the Singing Sands just behind the Carraig Fhada lighthouse. If I can do it, and I now drive probably a good few thousand miles each year in Spain, you can do it too. While there are dozens of tour operators willing to take visitors around Islay, the pick of the bunch has to be Rabbies. Well if you are into that sort of thing. 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. Follow me on Pinterest and YouTube. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I'd most certainly say the long drive up Jura is well worth it. 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. Islay is most famed for its peat-infused, smoky whisky which is exported across the world. I mentioned this peninsula earlier but Ill repeat myself here as it really is a stunning place. Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. If you talk to the taxi companies they might be able to put something together as well. While this may seem like a long time, there are a few things you can do to make the journey more enjoyable. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. Lots of intersting geology as well, There is never enough time to do everything so I keep going back. 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. 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). 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. Wow, this forum is awesome! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Your email address will not be published. I don't like whisky. I still have questions, where can I get answers? 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. 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. Islay Bus Islay Coaches runs a number of routes between the main villages, Mondays to Saturdays. You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. Having been to Mull, I found Islay to be less dramatic in topography - flatter and easier to get around. 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! 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. Theres no other word for it. Thanks so much! Driving on the wrong side is easy enough. At the moment, due to COVID restrictions, the distilleries are open to visitors, but some still arent offering their usual tours or a visit must be booked by appointment. All other brands and names are property of their respective owners. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. I love the experience of flying on Loganairs wee tartan-tailed planes, and seeing the islands from the sky. 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. 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. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". From Glasgow, head north on the A82 for 40 miles until you reach Tarbet (where the A82 becomes the A83). For hotels, take a look at this selection which varies in price and location but has good reviews: Ill keep this introduction short and say the best time of the year to visit Islay is from April to August, but if youd like a wee bit more information keep reading. Do they offer tours? A 4-Day Islay Whisky Tour with Rabbie's Tours [Review 2019] 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. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. All 18,000 of them! Islay is a reasonably sized island (for the Scottish west coast) but you might find it difficult to source a place to stay if youre heading there in summer. Driving Tour Distance (miles/km) Time; Circular Tour from Bridgend via Loch Gorm and Loch Gruinart: 19-35 Miles, 31-56Km: 2 - 5 Hours: Circular Tour Rhinns of Islay : 20 Miles, 32Km: My top suggestions for family-friendly activities on Islay are: If you like to bring your beloved pet on adventures, Islay is the perfect host with plenty beaches for energetic walks, a range of dog friendly accommodation and a number of eateries which welcome dogs in the outside eating areas (some inside too) including Port Charlotte Hotel, Bridgend Hotel and Ardbeg Distillery. 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. In a few short hours you will drive through all kinds of landscapes, from mountains to empty hinterland via jolly seafronts and high cliff routes. There are a limited number of taxis however, so I would always book your journey in advance. To calculate this answer, follow these steps: Calculate total break time: 15 min + 60 min + 15 min = 1 hr 30 min. Getting to Kennacraig from Glasgow on public transport: Kennacraig is on the Scottish Citylink service 926from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Campbeltown. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45678062', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. 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. 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. Opening hours vary, so best check before going. 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. Disclosure: Out About Scotland is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Is a car necessary? - Islay Forum - Tripadvisor The bay features a famously large beach known as The Big Strand which is an astonishing 7 miles long, and luckily enough for campers, Kintra Farm has the best access point. Distillery visiting is our primary goal, including Jura. 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. 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. As far as driving is concerned the roads are quite good, mostly single track but in great condition. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. 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. Take the Slow Road: Scotland - a driving tour of Arran ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If you fancy a coffee or snack you can stop at the airport. I need accommodation on Islay, where can I stay when visiting Islay? Islay FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About the Isle of Islay We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. This is the ancient power base of the Lords of the Isles, the Nordic-born kings who ruled over Scotlands western islands for hundreds of years and who almost conquered mainland Scotland during the time they were in power. . Driving on Hawaii Island: What You Need to Know - TripSavvy Whisky is, of course, Islays ultimate claim to fame; it is a way of life on this windswept isle. 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.
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