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The
island of Islay lies off the west of the Kintyre Coast and to
the immediate south of Jura. This beautiful island is world
famous for its malt whisky and few would visit the island
without noticing this fascinating business. There are two ferry
terminals, one at Port Askaig in the north East and one at Port
Ellen in the south east. Both are Caledonian Macbrayne terminals
taking passengers to and from Kinnacraig just south of
Tarbert.
The islands main communities are at Bowmore, the most central of
them, Port Ellen in the south, Port Charlotte and Portnahaven in
the west. There are smaller communites at Port Askaig and Keills
and also Bridgend whilst most every other place name on the
Island are just a few houses if that. Islay
also has its fair share of ancient monuments, interesting
ruins and other historic and architectural features which
are worth seeing.
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The Island
has in total 8 distilleries which are Ardbeg, , Lagavulin
and Laphroig which are in the south of the island near to
Port Ellen and are in beautiful settings. They also produce
the peatiest whisky particularly the Laproig. The
distilleries of, Bowmore and, Bruichladdich are in the
centre of the island on the shores of Loch Indaal and north
of the island has the Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila
distilleries.. They generally have a more delicate flavour.
The history of the buildings and equipment alone makes a
distillery worth a visit. |
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The
largest town is Bowmore and as you would expect you can find
most services and facilities such as garage, information centre,
sports centre, hotels, restaurants, cafes, library and more but
on an island scale of course. Bowmore also has a round church
which just has to be seen, perhaps built in that shape as in the
1700s when it was built it was thought that the devil could hide
in dark corners.
Port Ellen
in the south, the second largest town, has many facilities as
well and between these to towns is the airport. Port Ellen is
perhaps the more picturesque of the two and is popular with
yachts and other pleasure craft. South of Port Ellen lies the
massive of the Oa Peninsula. The peninsula is awesome with huge
cliffs and the occasional sandy inlet. It also has many pre
clearances ruins and also some stone-age stones worth seeing.
There is also a very large memorial to over 400 American
servicemen whjo perished in the sea when the SS Tuscania was
sunk by a U boat in 1918.
The RSPB
also have a large piece of the Oa with many rare birds such as
the Chough to be seen. This is an area of special protection and
there is generally something interesting to see at any time of
the year. Enthusiasts usually base themselves in Port Ellen and
travel to the Oa by car. See our accommodation pages for booking
rooms.
Isle of Islay, and
Bowmore, Port Ellen and Port Charlotte, Argyll, Scotland
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