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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