Are you planning a go to to the whisky island and searching for the proper Islay itinerary? I spent a number of days on this stunning island and I’ve provide you with what I consider to be the best 5-day itinerary for first-time guests to Islay. This put up was written as a part of a paid marketing campaign with Discover Islay & Jura. All opinions are my very own.
Whisky, water, wildlife, and wellness: these had been the themes of my very first journey to the Isle of Islay. These are additionally the explanations many individuals flock to the island yearly; in quest of the proper dram and a vacation that engages all of the senses.
Islay (pronounced ‘eye-la’) is called the Queen of the Hebrides, and it’s probably the most southern of the Internal Hebrides islands. It’s situated off the west coast of Scotland within the area of Argyll; Northern Eire lies straight south of Islay, with neighboring island Jura to the east and Gigha a bit additional south-east.
In case you are a fan of whisky, be sure to go to Islay whenever you plan a visit to Scotland. Referred to as the ‘whisky island’, Islay has 9 working distilleries and is house to the second oldest working distillery in Scotland, Bowmore.
Throughout summer time, I spent a whirlwind 4 days consuming, consuming, biking and crusing my method round Islay with my buddy Kay.
My Islay itinerary is ideal for somebody visiting Islay for the primary time. It features a go to to a number of whisky distilleries, wildlife watching, and wild swimming; indulging in freshly caught seafood, buying at native artisan retailers, and a lot extra.
When you’re not into whisky, there are many actions I’ve included you’ll take pleasure in. I’ve additionally included my recommendations on tips on how to get to Islay, getting across the island, and the place to remain. I even added an additional day, as a result of I consider you want no less than 5 days whenever you go to Islay for the primary time.
I hope my Islay itinerary offers inspiration in your go to to the island of magic, water, and whisky!
get to Islay
Attending to Islay is an journey of its personal. There are a number of methods to succeed in the island- all of them extremely scenic.
Automobile + ferry
That is the choice that I took, seeing as I reside only some hours away from the ferry port at Kennacraig.
The drive to Kennacraig is beautiful; in the event you’re leaving from Edinburgh it takes 3.5 hours to succeed in the ferry port. It’s solely a 2.5-hour drive from Glasgow. As quickly as you arrive within the area of Argyll and Bute, the surroundings begins to open up.
Remember to cease on the Relaxation and Be Grateful Viewpoint and absorb the views. A great place to cease for a espresso, a fast chunk to eat or some buying is Inveraray, a small but bustling city on the western shore of Loch Fyne. You probably have time discover Inveraray Fortress, a surprising Gothic nation home and the seat of the Dukes of Argyll.
CalMac operates two ferries from Kennacraig to Islay. One takes you to Port Askaig on the east coast- that is the ferry you’re taking if you wish to keep on to Jura. The opposite takes you to Port Ellen which is on the south of Islay.
Public transport + ferry
You may also journey on public transport from Edinburgh and Glasgow to succeed in the Kennacraig Ferry Terminal. From Glasgow, you’ll be able to take the bus, and from Edinburgh, you’ll be able to take the bus the entire method, or take the practice to the Arrochar & Tarbet station, and bus the remainder of the way in which.
Catch a flight
You may also fly from Glasgow to Islay with Logan Air. The airport is situated in Glenegedale, with loads of resorts and visitor homes situated a brief distance away.
Tip: Attempt to sit on the right-hand facet of the airplane so you’ll be able to spot the whisky distilleries from the air with their enormous black and white lettering!
Getting round Islay
Top-of-the-line methods to discover Islay is by taking your automobile throughout on the ferry. The crossing is simply over two hours lengthy and onboard there are a lot of locations to eat and drink. There’s lots to see on the journey, and as soon as there you’ll be glad you’ve the automobile to discover the much less accessible locations on Islay.
I totally loved rolling down the home windows and letting the air salted by the ocean blow round me whereas taking within the huge views of land and sea.
Driving might be problematic if you wish to pattern a couple of of the island’s drams, nevertheless. When you’d wish to discover the whisky distilleries on Islay and never have to fret about driving, I like to recommend hiring a taxi. There are a selection of taxi drivers that even present half-day or full-day personal excursions if you need to spend the day visiting a number of distilleries.
There are two bus routes you’ll be able to take to discover Islay. The primary bus runs between Bowmore and Portnahaven, whereas the second bus runs between Port Askaig and Port Ellen. The buses run from Monday to Saturday, 7 am to six pm and don’t function on Sundays. Click on right here for the timetable.
One other enjoyable approach to discover is to rent an e-bike from Islay E-Wheels and cycle across the island.
You may also e-book a whisky tour with a tour operator to take you round. Rabbie’s have a 4-day Islay whisky tour departing from Edinburgh. That method you gained’t have to fret about attending to Islay, or being transported across the island.
For extra suggestions, my buddy Kay from The Chaotic Scot has put collectively a necessary information to visiting Islay!
Lodging in Islay
I stayed on the conventional Nineteenth-century farmhouse and mattress and breakfast, Glenmachrie Home, which is conveniently situated subsequent to the airport. Glenmachrie Home is owned by the beautiful Rachel and Alastair; they each grew up on Islay, and have a wealth of information concerning the islands’ hidden gems.
From the second you arrive at Glenmachrie, you’re made to really feel welcome. You’re greeted with a standard Scottish afternoon tea, with freshly baked treats made by Rachel. I may have stayed and chatted to Rachel about Islay’s historical past all day if I didn’t have so many locations to discover!
The guesthouse contains of 4 snug bedrooms and a drawing room with a comfortable fire. The breakfast room is full of an array of meals, with contemporary eggs from the chickens who roam the backyard. Let’s put it this way- you gained’t go hungry!
The again backyard and pond (which was created within the form of the island) is a tranquil area to ponder life. The Glenegedale River passes by way of the rear of the property, the place it flows to fulfill the Machrie River. Laggan Bay is to the west past an unlimited expanse of inexperienced fields and moorland unfolds into the horizon.
The property is the proper oasis away from all of it, regardless of it solely being 4 miles north of Port Ellen, and 6 miles from Bowmore. It’s an incredible wee place to retreat to after a day of exploring.
A spotlight of my keep was watching the solar sink and dip into the ocean, bathing the wild orchids that grew within the again backyard in a golden glow. It’s moments of stillness similar to this that remind me simply how particular Scotland is.
Value: £130 per night time for 2 sharing; £90 per night time for a single
Cooked Breakfast included
Free parking
Free WiFi
Islay Whisky Distilleries
Islay is called the whisky island for good motive; it’s the island that provides its whisky its distinct smokey scent and flavour. Islay is understood for its peaty single malt whisky, and there are at present 9 working distilleries on Islay, with extra to return.
The 9 distilleries are:
- Ardbeg
- Ardnahoe
- Bowmore
- Bruichladdich
- Bunnahabhain
- Caol Ila
- Kilchoman
- Lagavulin
- Laphroaig
To go to and tour all the whisky distilleries on Islay, you would want no less than 3-4 days.
5 day islay itinerary
Day 1
While you arrive on Islay, what’s the very first thing it is best to do when you’ve unpacked your luggage? Pattern the whisky, after all!
By the point we disembarked the ferry at Port Askaig, I may hear the whisky calling my identify.
You’ll begin off this Islay itinerary by visiting the distilleries north of Port Askaig. First, you’ll go to Bunnahabhain Distillery for a whisky tasting. Bunnahabhain means ‘mouth of the river’ in Gaelic; the distillery stands on the mouth of Margadale Spring, which spills into the Sound of Islay.
This distillery can be positioned completely for viewing the Paps of Jura.
Bunnahabhain is understood for its unpeated whisky, a rarity on Islay seeing because it’s the peat that provides Islay whisky its distinct smokey flavour. They did have one peated whisky for us to pattern, nevertheless. It was scrumptious, however total I loved their 2007 bourbon barrel whisky.
ISLAY TRAVEL TIP
When you’re driving, the whisky distilleries provides you with your whisky in a wee bottle to remove. Have a dram when you arrive again at your lodging as you watch the solar go down over the island!
Your subsequent cease might be Ardnahoe Distillery for a tour and tasting. Ardnahoe is the latest distillery on Islay- so new that it hasn’t launched its first batch of whisky but!
For it to be true Scotch whisky, it should be comprised of largely malted barley and aged in oak barrels for 3 years or extra. Their first batch is because of be launched soon- wherein case I could need to plan a visit again!
At the moment, they use different whiskies from the world for his or her tasting session.
After two distillery visits, you’ll be famished, so I like to recommend you return to Port Askaig for dinner on the Port Askaig Resort.
The lodge pub and restaurant have an interesting historical past; at 400 years previous, it’s the oldest registered pub on the island. You realize a constructing is previous when it’s a must to stoop low to keep away from knocking your head on the door body!
The Port Askaig Resort will delight anybody who loves conventional Scottish decor; it’s furnished with tartan carpet, a sandstone fire, and a big assortment of Islay whiskies. The lodge additionally employs Gaelic-speaking employees if you wish to hear the native language.
In addition they have unbelievable seafood. I ordered the lobster, and never solely was it sizeable, nevertheless it was delectable too! In addition they have wonderful seafood platters if you wish to attempt a bit little bit of every part. All seafood is freshly caught on or close to the island by native fishermen.
Day 2
Take advantage of your time in Islay and stand up early for a morning of journey! After a hearty full Scottish breakfast at Glenmachrie Home, you’ll head to Port Ellen Marina for a wildlife boat tour with Islay Sea Adventures.
Islay locals Gus and his daughter, Bronagh, took us out on this glorious tour.
Islay is a superb island for birdwatching in Scotland; you’ve the chance to identify many types of wildlife, together with:
- Seals
- An abundance of birdlife (together with sea eagles in the event you’re fortunate!)
- Purple deer
- Dolphins
- Porpoises
- Sea Otters
- Wild goats
You even have the chance to view a few of the distilleries from the ocean, and have a wee dram! As we handed Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig we raised a toast and listened intently as Gus defined the historical past of the distilleries. We had been then taken to Islay’s Particular Space of Conservation, house to certainly one of Britain’s largest frequent seal colonies, which is simply viewable from the ocean.
Our wildlife tour was 2 hours, and I cherished each second. Islay Sea Adventures additionally affords fishing and foraging excursions.
FUN FACT
The distilleries launch by-products from the distilling course of into the ocean to feed the fish! When you lean in near the water close to a distillery, you’ll be able to truly scent it.
While you make it again to the shore I like to recommend having lunch in Port Ellen earlier than heading off to a different whisky distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery.
Bruichladdich is legendary for its whisky, however do you know the distillery additionally produces a wonderful gin? Study the fascinating story of how they got here to supply The Botanist gin, one of many high 4 gins on the earth.
Bruichladdich has their very personal forager, James, who hand-forages the island for the 22 botanicals that go into the gin. The recipe is high secret, nevertheless, James does carry it round in his shirt pocket!
The gin is made utilizing the very same recipe, however don’t be stunned if one batch of gin tastes barely totally different from the opposite. The climate has an affect on the botanicals on the island. Regardless of the very slight distinction in style, The Botanist is sort of actually Islay in a bottle!
For dinner, I like to recommend heading to The Islay Resort in Port Ellen. The Islay Resort is an eco-hotel, they usually have a stupendous and formal restaurant that appears out throughout the Port Ellen Marina. If you wish to dress as much as exit for dinner- that is the restaurant it is best to go to!
You possibly can eat within the restaurant or of their whisky bar, the place they serve over 100 malt whiskies.
Their menu options substances sourced as near house as doable: contemporary, native seafood, beef, Argyll lamb, and pork. In addition they have standard staples similar to burgers and fish and chips. For a Islay-infused dessert, attempt the Lagavulin 16 Crème Brulee!
Day 3
Take day three as a ”select your individual journey” day. One thing I like to recommend when visiting Islay is to have a gradual day; simply being on Islay, respiration within the peaty, salty air is a meditative expertise that can depart you feeling rejuvenated.
Start your morning by going for a stroll down the Large Strand. At 12 kilometers [7 miles] lengthy, it’s the longest stretch of uninterrupted seashore on Islay. It’s conveniently situated beside Glenmachrie Home too!
If the climate is heat, go wild swimming on the Singing Sands. The seashore will get its identify from – you guessed it- singing sand! It’s mentioned that in the event you rub the only of your shoe over the sand, it makes a singing sound.
The seashore is situated on the Oa peninsula behind the Carraig Fhada Lighthouse. There’s a small parking spot simply earlier than the lighthouse.
Carraig Fhada Lighthouse was in-built 1832 by the Laird of Islay, Walter Frederick Campbell, in reminiscence of his spouse, Girl Ellinor Campbell, who tragically died at 36 years previous. It’s the one square-shaped lighthouse in Scotland. It additionally takes a fairly image! Port Ellen additionally inherits its identify from Girl Ellinor.
Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and Singing Sands Seashore
You may also go for a drive to Portnahaven, a fairly Scottish village on the south-western high of Islay. This can be a beautiful, enjoyable drive. We noticed a area of Highland cows and located an honesty field store that offered pill on the facet of the highway. Take some spare change!
While you attain Portnahaven, stroll right down to the bay; it’s common to see gray seals sunbathing on the rocks and enjoying within the water. From right here, additionally, you will see throughout to Orsay Island and Eilean Mhic Coinnich (often known as Mackenzie Island). Hold an eye fixed out for the Rhinns of Islay Lighthouse on Orsay.
>> Take a look at my pal Kay’s put up about issues to do on Islay for extra inspiration!
Day 4
On day 4 of my Islay itinerary, you should have one other adventurous begin to the day- sea kayaking with Kayak Wild Islay.
Kayak Wild Islay affords half-day and full-day customized excursions for all ranges and talents. Dave can take you to a few of the finest viewpoints of the island; he even brings a digital camera so you may get some images of your journey so you’ll be able to calm down and be current within the second, paddling round in Islay’s glassy, crystal clear waters.
After your kayaking journey, it’s time to train your legs by happening a Fats Bike tour of the Three Distilleries Pathway. Kayak Wild Islay additionally offers Fats Bike excursions, so you’ll be able to bounce straight into this exercise after your kayak.
You may be considering what’s a Fats Bike? A Fats Bike is an off-road bicycle that has outsized, balloon-like tyres. Regardless of their dimension, they’re extremely gentle, and ideal for driving alongside the seashore or on uneven terrain. They’re truly a lot simpler to experience than regular bikes, and much more enjoyable too!
Islay is a bicycle owner’s dream because it’s very flat. There are additionally loads of scenic farm and coastal roads so that you can take pleasure in.
The Three Distilleries Pathway is three miles lengthy and connects the whisky distilleries Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. On this tour with Dave, chances are you’ll even spot some otters as he is aware of the place they hang around.
After a day of actions, you’ll little question be feeling drained. Deal with your self to a hearty meal at Peatzeria, an Italian restaurant in Bowmore. I extremely suggest the Hen and Haggis pizza!
>> Planning a visit with your loved ones? Learn this information on visiting Islay with children
Day 5
In your last day in Islay, you’ll begin your morning off in Bowmore with some buying. There are some fantastically artistic locals on the island, and through my go to, I used to be very happy to spend my paycheque supporting these small companies and treating myself on the similar time.
Begin off at The Celtic Home, which is full of books and all of the Scotland-themed artisan presents you possibly can ask for. Then wander up the highway to Spirited Soaps, an cute store that sells handmade soaps made with whisky, gin, and rum from Islay and Jura.
I bought a stack of their bathtub bombs- they depart my pores and skin feeling tremendous gentle and nourished, so be sure to purchase a few of these too!
Subsequent, be sure to cease by Lynnlabels for a espresso and a cake earlier than driving to Islay Home Sq. in Bridgend.
Established within the 1790s, Islay Home Sq. as soon as housed servants and was a location used for workshops. Immediately it’s a buying sq. full of native companies promoting artwork, pictures, meals, and drink.
When you’re something like me and love filling your house with distinctive and artisan Scottish presents, you’ll love buying on Islay. Simply you should definitely depart some area in your suitcase to deliver some items of Islay house with you!
Within the afternoon you’ll go in your last whisky tour: a seashore tasting at Kilchoman distillery. However first, take pleasure in lunch on the restaurant situated on-site at Kilchoman. You may also browse their reward store, which has numerous superior merchandise and regionally made presents.
Kilchoman is the one inland whisky distillery on Islay. They full the whole whisky-making course of on the farm, from the barley that’s grown of their fields proper as much as the bottling course of. Every little thing is finished on Kilchoman.
The seashore tasting is held on Machir Bay, probably the most stunning seashores on Islay. The seashore tasting is the proper ending to an ideal island journey. Increase a toast to Islay and make a promise you’ll be again sometime.
Have I impressed you to go to Islay? You possibly can watch my whole Islay journey on my Instagram highlights right here.
