how long to drive around islay how long to drive around islay

Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Lagavulin Distillery, Islay. Glasgow to Islay by Car via Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Kennacraig. 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! In particular if you are staying in self-catering accommodation you might need to know where you can get your (grocery) shopping done. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours. 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. Kintra Farm, near the beautiful Kintra Beach, has 4 self-catering properties on site. How long does it take to drive around Islay? 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. Visit Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones. We will ferry over with our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The crossing is just over two hours long and onboard there are many places to eat and drink. 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. I mentioned this peninsula earlier but Ill repeat myself here as it really is a stunning place. 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. Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos. The cheapest way to travel to Islay is by ferry from Kennacraig. There is so much more to come. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. 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). I'm off to book a stay. There are a number of taxi firms on Islay, some of which offer half- or full-day hire as well as whisky tours, too. more. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This is the most obvious route and a very lovely drive through Argyll's beautiful countryside. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. 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). Is there anything to do on a rainy day on Islay? Out About Scotland is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. Whenever you pass a local on the road, you will be treated to a friendly wave, which you obviously have to reciprocate. The distilleries, which are open year-round, each have their own unique stories, tours and traditions. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. They will process and deliver your order. The island sits between the Kintyre Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which looks surprisingly close on a clear day. All rights reserved Out About Scotland 2023. Report inappropriate content. If youre flying to the island and would like to hire a car, Islay Car Hire operate from Islay Airport and are based there in line with the flight times. Can I visit the distilleries? Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. Prices are reasonable (around 60 for a single ticket) and flight times are short with a non-stop service that takes just 45 minutes. We spent 3 nights on our first visit to Islay this past August, and it was way too short. 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. The largest shop on Islay is the Co-Op in Bowmore. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. Can you hire a car on Islay? The Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre sails to Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay. You can walk or cycle the Three Distilleries Pathway from Port Ellen, which links three distilleries in three miles: Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. 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. Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch. 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 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. Take the A83 to Inveraray and then drive south on the A83 along Loch Fyne to Inveraray (a lovely loch-side village stop at Inveraray Castle before continuing). 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. Visit Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting. 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. 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. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. Don't expect the roads to be as wide, well maintained and fast as on the mainland and calculate your travelling time accordingly. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. A single trip costs 1.70 for foot passengers, with an additional 9.05 for cars. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. 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). If you travel from Glasgow to Islay by Car it will take around three hours to get to Kennacraig. 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. Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf, Get answers to your questions about Islay, Getting around Islay / best places to stay. The table below has a month-by-month overview of the climate on Islay. It's stunning. Same with the road to Ardbeg from Port Ellen, which passes Laguvulin and Laphroiag. 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 the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . 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. 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 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). The Scottish islands are my favourite place in the world, and I've visited 62 so far. Islay is most famed for its peat-infused, smoky whisky which is exported across the world. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. If youre not interested in wildlife youll be pleased to know the islands climate benefits from the warm Gulf Stream that ensures mild temperatures and lots of sunny days from April to August, which makes the golden sand beaches at Laggan Bay and Gruinart extremely inviting. You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. The road then follows the path of Loch Fyne, Scotlands large sea loch, taking in some spectacular scenery along the way, including Inveraray Castle. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. drinkaware.co.uk. The journey time to the airport can be as little as 15 minutes and you can buy tickets in advance online or on the bus on the day which currently costs 14 for an open return. 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. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. 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. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); 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. 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. drinkaware.co.uk, The Post Office, Main Street, Bowmore ++44 (0)1496 810366. Be sure to visit Islay Ale brewery. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. By Taxi When planning my adventures, I usually start my search on Booking.com or Airbnb to see whats available for my chosen dates. Explore Kildaton church and Dunyvaig castle. more. Be sure to book in advance and check that the bus time links in with the ferry service; the bus pulls right into the ferry terminal for a seamless journey. The quickest way to get to Islay is on the Loganair flight from Glasgow. The first vehicle we drive after landing on the island, it's a quick lesson in driving older cars. By Bike Total travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours, distance by car approx. Due to social distancing measures and managing capacity, foot passengers should also pre-book their journey and arrive no later than 10 minutes before departure. These are the ways you can explore Islay without a car. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs. Dont be surprised to find yourself sitting outside reading a book at 9 pm. 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. Thanks so much! My fondness for Islay grows with every visit, and while I experience new things each time, I always leave pining for more. And doing the Jura distillery by bus would be distinctly challenging! If it fits with your schedule you might want to look into a tour with a local: http://www.wildandmagicislay.com/, they do a three day tour including all distilleries on Islay and Jura - even managing to squeeze in a couple of VIP/Extended tours as well. Travelling by public transport is a slower way of travel (not a bad thing when adopting the island pace) and you wont be able to reach some of the places you would with a car, but for first time visitors or those who dont plan to venture too far off the beaten track, exploring Islay on public transport is a great experience. The two 94.8m long vessels will replace the 36 . 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. Why do people wave at me when I'm driving on Islay? 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. Cost breakdown on getting to Islay from Glasgow, by bus & ferry. Fill up before taking the ferry over though. The driver guides have an in-depth understanding of Scotland, the places they take you to are incredible, and the prices are reasonable. You do not need a car on Islay as there is public transport with buses and taxi services. The sail to Port Askaig takes 2 hours 20 minutes. By Car Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. Select your Islay Tour from the map above or via the links below . While youre walking along the clifftops keep your eyes open for otters which can often be seen hunting for food along the tide line, and you might also see seals, although their favourite spots on Islay are Loch Gruinart and the harbour at Portnahaven. The Best Things to Do on Islay: Distilleries, Food & Outdoor Activities, Have a day at the beach at The Singing Sands or Machir Bay, Burn off some energy at the childrens play park at the, Explore the ruins and history of the Lords of the Isles at, Go seal spotting in the picturesque village of Portnahaven, Discover Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and the stunning Singing Sands. There are signs for the airport as soon as you enter the Glasgow city limits but if you have a satnav you might like to enter the address Paisley PA3 2ST which will re-direct you if theres congestion bear that in mind if youre travelling on the M8 between 8 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. 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. The distinctive yellow and blue Citylink buses will take you from Glasgow Buchanan Street bus station to Kennacraig ferry terminal in 3-3.5 hours, enroute to Campbeltown. Managed a day trip to Colonsay. Jura is a similar size to Islay though it has far fewer facilities and only one village which is Craighouse on the east coast. 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. Another fantastic way to explore Islay is by eBike with Islay E Wheels. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? Your email address will not be published. Bruichladdich - founded in 1881, re-opened in 2000. Islay Storm Pods in Lagavulin has 5 glamping pods and a holiday cottage (Im staying in one of the pods in September). Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it. How you choose to travel to Islay will depend on how much time you have, your budget, and where youre coming from. 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. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. 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. 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. If you talk to the taxi companies they might be able to put something together as well. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Probably best to stay centrally in either Bowmore or Bridgend to reduce travel times. Most of the shoreline comprises sheer cliffs, although there are a few sandy beaches which are fantastic because theyre usually tourist-free. From Glasgow, head north on the A82 for 40 miles until you reach Tarbet (where the A82 becomes the A83). 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. Well if you are into that sort of thing. Islay airport (ILY) is very small so dont expect too many facilities when you get there although there is a small shop inside and theres parking for maybe 40 cars. How many distilleries are there 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. Whisky is, of course, Islays ultimate claim to fame; it is a way of life on this windswept isle. Some will just lift a finger, others the whole hand. Fiona's Taxis - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302622 / Mobile: +44 (0) 780 8303200, Lamont Campbell - tel: +44 (0) 1496 810398 / Mobile: +44 (0) 7899 756159, Jim Davis - tel: +44 (0) 1496 810398 / Mobile +44 (0) 7762 590055, Rhinns Taxi - tel: +44 (0) 1496 850170 / Mobile +44 (0) 7771 921157, in addition to a bus service: http://www.islayinfo.com/downloads/islaybustimetable.pdf. They both stick to the main roads on the island. It is . SCOTTISH TRAVEL BLOG PACKED WITH FUN, FOOD & INSPIRATION. Visit the Ardbeg distillery for a tour and lunch. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. See website for route schedules. Please check the individual websites for opening times, tours and updates on the situation. Arrival at Arran The ferry from the mainland arrives at Brodick, Arran's capital and main settlement. If you fancy a coffee or snack you can stop at the airport. I really wouldn't worry about hiring a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. Four visits worth of adventures and experiences, with another planned for this September, has afforded me the opportunity to immerse myself in all the things that make this island so special. The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. There are two bus routes on Islay, both of which using the main roads on the island. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. If your family enjoys being outside and can be entertained with walks, beach days and water-based activities, then you will absolutely appreciate Islay. Unfortunately theres no ring road around Islay so you wont be able to explore the entire coastline by car, but the A846 does at least enable you to drive from Lagavulin in the south to Port Askaig on the northeast corner, while the A847 will take you over to the western-most point at Portnahaven. Ro-Ro & Drive Through Ferries. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. 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. travelling around the island - do i need a car. 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 monument was built to commemorate the loss of American lives when two troop ships sunk off the coast of Islay during WWI and its worth visiting for no other reason than the walk there is so nice, especially considering theres so much wildlife in the area. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. Before we proceed, lets address the all-important issue of pronunciation. 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. If you are planning a trip to Islay, or are simply looking to get inspired, this post brings together all the essential practical information that you need to get started, from how to plan your journey and get around the island, to choosing accommodation and which distilleries to visit.