About the Isle of Islay

Islay is the Southern-most isle of the Inner Hebrides and has about 3,000 inhabitants. It’s 25 miles long and 20 wide and has 130 miles of coastline – that’s a lot of beaches! Islay is chiefly known for its distinctive strong flavoured peaty whiskies – such as Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin. There are 9 distilleries on Islay, and a visit to at least one for a tour and a dram is a must!

 

Food Stores for Self-Caterers

  • CoOp supermarket - Port Ellen
  • Spar supermarket - Port Ellen
  • CoOp supermarket - Bowmore
  • Butcher - Bowmore

Restaurants, Pubs and Cafe’s

  • Ardbeg Café - Ardbeg
  • The Islay Hotel, Restaurant, Pub – Port Ellen
  • Sea Salt Restaurant – Port Ellen
  • White Hart Pub – Port Ellen
  • Harbour Inn Restaurant, Pub - Bowmore
  • Bridgend Hotel Restaurant, Pub
  • Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant
  • An Tigh Seinnse Bistro Pub, Portnahaven
  • Islay House

Places to visit

  • 9 Single Malt Whisky Distilleries
  • Kildalton Cross: 8th century
  • Dunyvaig Castle: Ruin next to Lagavulin
  • Finlaggan: Visitor Center, Ruins
  • Museum of Islay Life: Port Charlotte
  • Round Church: Bowmore
  • Islay Woolen Mill: near Bridgend
  • Islay House Square: shops, brewery
  • Portnahaven: Impressive waves when stormy
  • Machrie 18-hole Golf Course
  • Birdwatching: Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve
  • Loch Fishing: Port Ellen Angling Club
  • Sea Fishing: Islay Sea Adventures – Port Ellen
  • Cycling: bikes can be rented in Port Ellen

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