Driving on Islay. Getting around Islay on public transport. Don't expect the roads to be as wide, well maintained and fast as on the mainland and calculate your travelling time accordingly. Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. There are a whopping nine whisky distilleries on Islay, with more underway, so youll never find yourself far from one of these iconic white-washed buildings donned with huge lettering. 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. I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. 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. Quick Answer: How To Get From Mainland Scotland To Islay? Both journeys take around 3 hours 10 minutes and offer stunning scenery. Three Distilleries Pathway. I don't like whisky. This is an island that offers visitors a wonderful experience whether its wildlife watching, relaxing on a beach, hiking through picturesque countryside or boat tours around the coastline. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. travelling around the island - do i need a 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. Islay Ferry - The Complete Guide on Ferry Travel to Islay The bus service runs between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. This website includes affiliate links to Booking.com and GetYourGuide. Please check the individual websites for opening times, tours and updates on the situation. The island can be visited by air and by sea, but you might be best off catching the ferry when the weather picks up (i.e. While there are dozens of tour operators willing to take visitors around Islay, the pick of the bunch has to be Rabbies. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. See website for route schedules. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. How do I drive around on Islay? 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. And driving yourself after sampling whisky, even on Islay, is really not advisable. It makes for a lovely slow drive to explore the island and see the amazing Outer Hebrides beaches surrounding. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. 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. 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. 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. Hi! Islay Bus Islay Coaches runs a number of routes between the main villages, Mondays to Saturdays. There is no direct connection from Isle of Islay to Island of Skye. Getting Around Islay | islay.com http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. 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. Not exactly what I was looking for on an island getaway. A week would be ideal. There are two ways to reach Islay via plane: a 45-minute flight from Glasgow, run by Flybe twice daily, and a 40/55-minute flight from Oban (the latter via Colonsay), run by Hebridean Air Services twice a week. Quite a few people also speak, Yes, there are a number of books about Islay: A good entry level book with quite a few pictures is. 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. Many of the distilleries stop doing tours by 4 pm. The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. It is also illegal! We saw seals laying on the rocks near a cove past the Ardbeg distillery as we were driving to the Kidalton Cross. 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). 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. Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. The Isle of Islay in Scotland: Advice for Visitors 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. As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. Total travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours, distance by car approx. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands. 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. 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 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. If I can do it, and I now drive probably a good few thousand miles each year in Spain, you can do it too. Lots of intersting geology as well, There is never enough time to do everything so I keep going back. Just a suggestion. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. 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. We spent 3 nights on our first visit to Islay this past August, and it was way too short. The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. Probably best to stay centrally in either Bowmore or Bridgend to reduce travel times. Hostels Hostelling Scotland run the family-friend Port Charlotte Youth Hostel. I have to mention I found the locals to be incredibly courteous and theyre very tolerant of slow tourists driving on unfamiliar roads, and theyll almost always wave to you as you drive past them. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi 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. Youll see lots of different bird species throughout the year from choughs to golden eagles and there are huge flocks of seabirds like fulmars, razorbills and kittiwakes that make their homes in the steep cliffs. If your family enjoys being outside and can be entertained with walks, beach days and water-based activities, then you will absolutely appreciate Islay. more. The sail to Port Ellen takes 2 hours. Theres no other word for it. Well, they were when I visited anyway. Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. Its just stunning. 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! Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Things to do on Islay Scotland - Finding the Universe Jura is a similar size to Islay though it has far fewer facilities and only one village which is Craighouse on the east coast. 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! You can view the bus timetable here. The distilleries, which are open year-round, each have their own unique stories, tours and traditions. Follow him on Pinterest and YouTube. Roundabouts are painted with their guidelines forcing you clockwise as they will in the USA and mainland Europe force you anti-clockwise. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. All of the distilleries have a visitor centre in some form, some with a shop and restaurant, some just a small reception. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. There are also car-hire companies on Islay, too, with pick-up locations from the airport and ferry terminals. Driving on Hawaii Island: What You Need to Know - TripSavvy There are a number of important historic sites included several Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. By Taxi As far as driving is concerned the roads are quite good, mostly single track but in great condition. Opening hours vary, so best check before going. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . 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). Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. Caol Ila - founded in 1846, and the largest distillery on the island. Most of the shoreline comprises sheer cliffs, although there are a few sandy beaches which are fantastic because theyre usually tourist-free. Ferries in Scotland - A Practical Guide for Island Hopping - Watch Me See You must not light open fires on Islay where there is dry peat due to the fire risk. Are there banks or cash machines (ATMs) on Islay? There are a number of locals who run taxi services on the island, which I have used in the evenings to take me back to my accommodation. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. Aside from its distilleries, Islay is just like all the other Scottish islands in that the main attraction is the outdoors. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. 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. 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. 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). . In any case Islay is the anglicised spelling, the Gaelic version is Ile. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Drive Time Calculator - Travel Time Calculator Join him as he shares personal experiences and tips & advice about touring Scotland. Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . the best tents for summer camping in Scotland, Complete Guide to Whisky Distilleries on Islay, The Best Places to Visit in the Highlands. If you want to go more into depth, get a OS map and start looking at sites and ruins. And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! Isle of Islay - Holidays, Things To Do & Travel | VisitScotland Then there's the Croft Kitchen in Port Charlotte or the Cottage Restaurant in Bowmore. 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. Where can I get cash on Islay? 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. Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay.