Islay Information
Islay offers the visitor a warm welcome and has a unique pace of life. For more information about how to get here, where to stay and transport on the island please follow the links below. Please note that we cannot make travel or accommodation arrangements for you.
Please remember to bring some sterling, as small food providers, stall holders at events, taxis and many B&B folks do not have card processing facilities. Limited cash machines on Islay and Jura.
Wild and Magic Islay travel company offer various whisky tours. The tours include accommodation and full details are on their Web site.
Buses from Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow to the ferry terminal at Kennacraig are operated by Scottish Citylink.
Full details of the ferry service and ticket options are available from Caledonian MacBrayne. Not all sailings have connecting bus services, so please check the bus timetables before travelling.
Flybe operates a regular service from Glasgow airport to Islay.
For travel on the island, bus timetables are available on Argyll & Bute Council's Web site. Alternatively, car hire is available from www.islaycarhire.com and D & N MacKenzie.
There are also several taxi services:
- Carol MacDonald +44 (0) 1496 302155 Mobile: 07775 782155
- Fiona's Taxis +44 (0) 1496 302622 Mobile 07808 303200
- Lamont's Taxis +44 (0) 1496 810449 Mobile 07899 756159
- Stuart Doyle +44 (0)1496 850170 Mobile 07771 921157
For the more energetic, several places offer cycle hire, including
- Bowmore Post Office +44 (0) 1496 810366
- Port Ellen Playing Fields Association Mobile 07831 246911.
- Jim Lutomski, who also carries out cycle repairs. Mobile 07760 196 592
If you are planning to sail under your own steam, we have an excellent marina at Port Ellen, handy for shops, fuel and the three famous distilleries of Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg - a terrific way to join our Fèis.
The Machrie Links are open, and not to be missed if you are a golfer. Two great events to look out for are “The Machrie Open” and “The Cross”. Contact Islay Golf Club for more information on these and other events.
Islay has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets. At peak times, why not hire a motor home? There are two good camp-sites at Port Mòr and Kintra (where Gaelic is spoken). Wild camping is not welcomed, but again at peak times (like the Beach Rugby tournament in June), Robert Gordon of the White Hart Hotel in Port Ellen allows folk to pitch in the hotel garden. Our oldest commumity-owned facility, the Port Ellen Playing Fields, will also permit some tents behind the pavilion. Contact Ellen Brown - Mobile 07831 246911.
For more information on accommodation, visit www.iknow-scotland.co.uk or Islay Info, a great source of all things Islay.
