Staying near Bridgend will put you near the center of the island and make the distilleries easy to get to. Scotland is the love of my life, and I've devoted my career to promoting it full-time. 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. 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. 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. more. Also, there are generally fewer tourists milling about so you can breeze through the distillery tours without having to wait for available space. This is such a pleasant wee exchange and one of the things I love about Islay. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos. The Machrie, near Islay Airport, is Islays luxury resort-style hotel, complete with a golf course, spa, bar and restaurant. I need souvenirs, what should I take back home from Islay? Plan Your Ultimate Oahu Road Trip - Discount Hawaii Car Rental There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the. Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. 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. 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. Edinburgh (2-3 days, flights in. How long does it take to drive around Islay? Where can I fill up my car? The bikes can be picked up in Port Ellen or delivered to your location of choice for 10 (free for 3 bikes or more) and they cost 30 per day. For ideas on how to spend your time on the island, check out my other post on the best things to do on Islay. A return trip from Oban to Craignure, on Mull, for a car and two people (driver and . The Series IIA on Islay is a 2.25-litre petrol, however. COPYRIGHT ELEMENTS OF ISLAY 2023. It is also illegal! Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. 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. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. There is also a ferry service between Islay and Jura, across the Sound of Islay. 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. These are serviced by smaller passenger ferries, such as the Isle of Kerrera or the Small Isles, Rum, Muck and Eigg. The only island that is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge is the . Thanks all for your input - much appreciated!! By Car Your time visiting Islay can be as relaxing or energetic as you want it to be. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. Glenmachrie House offers a wonderful, homely experience with huge portions of freshly prepared breakfast plus home-baking. 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. Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. 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. How many days to visit Islay? - Islay Message Board - Tripadvisor ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. Couldn't get to Jura due to wind/seas. Remember. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. The answer is yes to both. 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. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. Are there banks or cash machines (ATMs) on Islay? There are usually two flights per day (only one on weekends) and the flight time is 45 minutes. There are five petrol stations (or gas stations for Americans) on Islay I can think of: Port Ellen (on Charlotte Street next to the White Hart Hotel), Bowmore (Jamieson Street, off Main Street), Bridgend (right at the square), Port Charlotte (next to the Spar shop/ post office on Main Street) and Port Askaig (next to the waiting area for the Kennacraig ferry). Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. I'll also highlight where to find quirky accommodation and amazing local eateries along the way! Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. There is an infrequent ferry service from Oban to Port Askaig if you are travelling to/from this direction or if you plan to extend your adventure and do more island hopping from Oban. I think I can make some decions now. Islay actually isnt as bad as the mainland for midges which I think might be down to the Atlantic winds keeping them at bay, but when the winds drop they can be a real pain. 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. Islay will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and not just by drinking drams! 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. Getting around :: Islay Info For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); 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. You can view the bus timetable here. There are also car-hire companies on Islay, too, with pick-up locations from the airport and ferry terminals. Continue south on the A83 to Lochgilphead then follow the road along the picturesque Campbeltown peninsula to Tarbert before it cuts inland to Kennacraig. Don't expect the roads to be as wide . Wow, this forum is awesome! 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. Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. number of lovely walks where if your lucky you can see golden eagles sea eagles and other bird of prey.We have been visiting Islay for the last 40 yrs and never tire of this beautiful island and it's superb whisky. . Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. Book your seats in advance for the best fares and sign up to the Loganair newsletter to find out about any sales/discounts. 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. That said, there is so much more to Islays charm than its golden drams: the landscape, the light, the coast, the cuisine, and the locals. If you don't like whisky may be take a few bottles from. 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. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. 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). Things to do on Islay Scotland - Finding the Universe Follow him on Pinterest and YouTube. If wild camping is your preferred option you wont have any problems on Islay but there are a few considerations to bear in mind. The Perfect 5 Day Islay Itinerary - Wayfaring Kiwi The extra time will allow you to do more hikes especially along the coast and see more wildlife. There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. . 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 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. 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! Coming from Glasgow you take the M8 and cross the Clyde over the Erskine Bridge. 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. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Kintra Farm, near the beautiful Kintra Beach, has 4 self-catering properties on site. 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. And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. Thank you all for the advice and driving encouragement. Do they offer tours? 2-3 people is fine though. One last thing if you take an electric bike to Islay youll have the best of all worlds. The bus stops near the ferry ports in Port Ellen and Port Askaig, and directly outside Islay Airport. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-103124700', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car, so happy to drive about etc. Don't expect the roads to be as wide, well maintained and fast as on the mainland and calculate your travelling time accordingly. Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! We plan to be in Islay for three days in the first week of April. 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. It makes for a lovely slow drive to explore the island and see the amazing Outer Hebrides beaches surrounding. Ive created a complete Guide to Avoiding Midges in Scotland that will give you lots of helpful advice for avoiding these wee beasties, as well as a guide to the best midge repellents and the best tents for summer camping in Scotland. It may look small, but it will take you several days to see every nook and cranny by road. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. Hi! A week would be ideal. Parts of this film were shot on Islay. Then this page is hopefully right for you. Manage Settings The distilleries, which are open year-round, each have their own unique stories, tours and traditions. We will (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Required fields are marked *. How long does it take to drive around Islay? As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Which port you arrive into will be determined by the day of the week and the time you choose to travel, or you can base it on which port is closest to where youre staying. The Chaotic Scot is packed with personality, travel tips, and destination inspiration - as well as the odd misadventure! 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. I make a wee commission if you book through these links, which will go towards the cost of running this website, and creating valuable content to help you plan your Scottish adventures. Clicking on a question will take you to the answer for the question, use the back button of your browser to return to the top: So far the questions, here are the answers: There are a number of options to get to Islay: Visiting Islay without a car is possible and there are various ways to get around without a car: Copyright 2007 Armin Grewe - About - FAQ I first visited Islay in 2015 and Ive been a big fan ever since. Lots of intersting geology as well, There is never enough time to do everything so I keep going back. Getting to Kennacraig from Glasgow on public transport: Kennacraig is on the Scottish Citylink service 926from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Campbeltown. 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. You can only wild camp at the same location for a maximum of 3 nights. There are a few campsites on the island but the two main ones are Kintra Farm and Port Mor. 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. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! SCOTTISH TRAVEL BLOG PACKED WITH FUN, FOOD & INSPIRATION. I'd most certainly say the long drive up Jura is well worth it. I usually use HomeAway.co.uk as they tend to have nicer homes than AirBnB and their prices are just that wee bit more reasonable, but their selection is also more limited, so theyve both got their pros and cons. Definitely a week,a full day on Jura is a must , providing the weather is sunny as like Islay you only see it at its best when it's sunny On Islay there are. You can either bring your own bike or rent one on Islay. They will process and deliver your order. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. The Scottish islands are my favourite place in the world, and I've visited 62 so far. Craig Neil is a travel writer from Edinburgh with a passion for visiting Scotland's tourist attractions from the rugged Highlands to the bustling cities. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. 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. Are taxis plentiful no matter where we stay? 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 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. Its all quite interesting and it certainly makes a nice change of pace from Islays whisky distillery tours. I've got a suggestion to improve these FAQ, where can I send it? By Bike The journey time from Kennacraig to Port Askaig is around 2 hours and from Kennacraig to Port Ellen 2 hours and 20 minutes. Hi this has probably been asked before but I searched and could not find an answer..we are planning our next Highlands trip and wondered how many days to stay on Islay?
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