If I can do it, and I now drive probably a good few thousand miles each year in Spain, you can do it too. Opening hours vary, so best check before going. Follow me on Pinterest and YouTube. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. In this website I share my experiences of visiting the top Scottish attractions along with travel tips and advice to help you plan your own sightseeing tour. The quickest way to get to Islay is on the Loganair flight from Glasgow. Are there banks or cash machines (ATMs) on Islay? As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. Get the ferry to Islay from Kennacraig on Kintyre, landing at Port Ellen (2 hours 20 minutes) or Port Askaig (from 1 hour 55 minutes). 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. 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). 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. The Chaotic Scot is packed with personality, travel tips, and destination inspiration - as well as the odd misadventure! {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. Islay Ferry - The Complete Guide on Ferry Travel to 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. 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. The 450 service runs between the administrative capital Bowmore in the centre of Islay and Portnahaven in the south west. I've got a suggestion to improve these FAQ, where can I send it? While you could travel via Gourock and the Cowal Peninsula (the most direct route) you will have to take two ferry crossings. 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. It is . The roads are narrow and single track and the landscape is mostly rough grassland, but its an interesting day trip, especially if you pull your walking boots on and go for a hike around the Paps of Jura which are three mountains on the west of the island that rise to 2,575 feet. I can personally recommend Jims Islay Taxi for both taxis and tours. Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. 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. The three southern distilleries can be reached by public transport fairly easily, similar Bowmore and Bruichladdich. Thanks all for your input - much appreciated!! Ive heard from friends that spring (April/May) is a good time to be on Islay as there are frequent sunny days, the temperatures arent too bad and the accommodation prices are lower than the peak summer season. There are usually two flights per day (only one on weekends) and the flight time is 45 minutes. Cycling round the island to see Islays nature and wildlife up close is ideal, not least due to the largely flat terrain and the low level of traffic on the island. Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. Getting To, From, and Around Islay and Jura - whiskyadvocate.com The crossing is just over two hours long and onboard there are many places to eat and drink. Cheap transport, no problems on narrow roads, and the chance to explore large parts of the island without much effort. 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. 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 youre thinking of touring the Isle of Islay and would like to know more about Rabbies I highly recommend taking a look at their website which shows all the tours they run in Scotland as well as the rest of Britain. 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. By Bus From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. 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 weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. 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 Scottish islands are my favourite place in the world, and I've visited 62 so far. The guide also details the arrival airport on Islay which borders Laggan Bay on the west coast. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. Its not quite as scenic as Kintra Farm as the stretch of coastline is bare rock without a beach to walk along, but then you do have pubs and restaurants nearby in Port Charlotte and the Port Mor centre has a caf, internet access and laundry facilities. They all offer a great experience, so you really cant go wrong. Good quality accommodation doesnt come cheap on Islay, however there are some budget-friendly self-catering options available. Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting. How many distilleries are there on Islay? 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. A return trip from Oban to Craignure, on Mull, for a car and two people (driver and . If you find my blogs informative and inspiring, you can support what I do and say thanks by gifting me a virtual coffee. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. We spent 3 nights on our first visit to Islay this past August, and it was way too short. Your email address will not be published. Where can I fill up my car? Is a car necessary? - Islay Forum - Tripadvisor When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. When planning my adventures, I usually start my search on Booking.com or Airbnb to see whats available for my chosen dates. Where can I get cash on Islay? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Please check the individual websites for opening times, tours and updates on the situation. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. 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. Need some help to plan your holiday on Islay? more. 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 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. Use the buses, they are convenient and mean you can drink at distilleries. 1. I'll show you how to explore Scotland on public transport and how to hop around the Scottish Islands like a pro. This is my favourite nature reserve on Islay and its a place that I highly recommend you visit. 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. 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. Well, they were when I visited anyway. 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. 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. The road then follows the path of Loch Fyne, Scotlands large sea loch, taking in some spectacular scenery along the way, including Inveraray Castle. Roundabouts are painted with their guidelines forcing you clockwise as they will in the USA and mainland Europe force you anti-clockwise. Theres a visitor centre in the car park which depicts the story of the Lords of the Isles and well as explaining the significance of this part of the island. Once on Islay head to Bowmore for overnight accommodation. Where can I access the internet on Islay? Islay Storm Pods in Lagavulin has 5 glamping pods and a holiday cottage (Im staying in one of the pods in September). How to get to Islay from Glasgow: a local's best guide Distillery visiting is our primary goal, including Jura. The buses only run until the evening, so if you are relying on public transport and would like to venture out for dinner and drinks, it would be worth basing yourself in or around one of the main towns, Bowmore or Port Ellen. 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. Continue south on the A83 to Lochgilphead then follow the road along the picturesque Campbeltown peninsula to Tarbert before it cuts inland to Kennacraig. 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). Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. Check out some tours and trails on the island, from sampling the exquisite whisky and finding out more about distilleries to exploring the open sea. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Caol Ila - founded in 1846, and the largest distillery on the island. Unless you can catch the morning ferries, you are arriving in Islay sometime in the afternoon at the earliest. Stop at the village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. 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. I still have questions, where can I get answers? Getting Around Islay | islay.com Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it. The island is also very accommodating when it comes to wild camping but there are a few restrictions which Ill cover later. Vehicle reservations are recommended. There are some indoor options too, which are handy for rainy days. This is the most obvious route and a very lovely drive through Argyll's beautiful countryside. Lower Killeyan, Islay. The sail to Port Askaig takes 2 hours 20 minutes. The price starts at 356 and includes transport in a mini-coach, the ferry crossing and an extremely knowledgable driver-guide. Transport to Islay | islay.com They also offer distillery tours, usually 2-3 times a day. We will ferry over with our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Not exactly what I was looking for on an island getaway. Traffic on Islay is light, as it usually is on islands, and getting used to the 'wrong' side of the road is remarkably easy. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. Multiply this time with 60 mph average speed to get the distance traveled: 60 6.5 = 390 miles. Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? If you do, make sure youre wearing a good pair of waterproof walking boots (Amazon link to mine) even in summer because most of the terrain contains Sphagnum moss which holds water like a sponge. Some "ferries" are actually just boats that fit around 10 people - for example, the Ulva Ferry from Mull to Ulva or the Handa Ferry on the NC500. Islay by taxi is a good idea if you are planning to visit several distilleries and enjoy a few drams while youre there. 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.. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. 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. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. 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). This is a wild expanse of open moorland, lochs and coastline with a few hills on the southern side that rise up to around 200 metres. Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . 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. 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. 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. Travel to the Isle of Jura and Local Transportation - Isle of Jura Scotland Bunnahabhain - most remote of the Islay distilleries, established in 1881. There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. The eight existing ones are (in alphabetical order): In addition to the distilleries on Islay there is also the. How many days to visit Islay? - Islay Message Board - Tripadvisor