Islay has lots to offer from beautiful landscapes, wildlife, lots of sandy beaches, places of historic interest to visit and sporting activities to enjoy – not forgetting the many whisky distilleries, for which Islay is famous!

Below is some information on places to visit and useful contacts for Islay.

Wildlife

Visit the Islay National History Trust in Port Charlotte 01496 850 288 www.islaynaturalhistory.org

Book a guided wildlife tour:
Islay Encounters www.islayencounters.co.uk
Islay Outdoors www.islayoutdoors.com

Birdwatching

There are RSPB Nature Reserves at The Oa and Loch Gruinart.

Historic Interest

Museum of Islay Life – 01496 850 358 www.islaymuseum.org
Finlaggan – Lordship of the Isles - 01496 840 644 www.finlaggan.org
Kildalton Cross & Chapel
Kilchoman Cross & Church
American Monument

Sporting Activities

Riding

Ballivicar Pony Trekking Centre – 01496 302 251

On the water

For wildlife, fishing, seafood and many more themed boat trips:
Islay Sea Adventures www.islay-sea-adventures.co.uk

Swimming

MacTaggart Leisure Centre (Bowmore) – 01496 810 767

Cycling / Bike hire

01496 810 366 (Bowmore)
01496 850 488 (Port Charlotte)
Islay Bike Hire www.islay-bikehire.co.uk
Islay E Wheels www.islayewheels.co.uk

Port Ellen Playing Fields

For tennis & Bowling

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in Port Ellen club waters with the use of a Port Ellen Angling Club permit. This allows fishing in five brown trout lochs of varying sizes including the Kinnabus and Glenastle lochs.

Please let us know in advance of your stay if you would be interested in the use of this fishing permit.

For more information please visit Port Ellen Angling Club Facebook Page

The fishing season is from March to September

Golf

Machrie Golf Links (Port Ellen) – 01496 302 310 www.another.place/the-machine

Beaches

There are many sandy beaches on Islay from Machir Bay, Sanaigmore Bay and Saligo Bay on the west coast to Claggan Bay and Artdtalla on the east coast and Kilnaughton and the Singing Sands close to Port Ellen – to name but a few! The Strand is a huge stretch of beach running from Port Ellen to Bowmore. Closest to Lenavore is Killeyan Beach, along from the American Monument.

Distilleries

Laphroaig - 01496 302418 www.Laphroaig.com
Lagavulin - 01496 302 749 www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries/lagavulin
Ardbeg - 01496 302244 www.ardbeg.com
Laggan Bay Distillery - www.ianmacleod.com/brands/laggan-bay-distillery
Bowmore - 01496 810 441 www.bowmore.co.uk
Bunnahabhain - 01496 840 557 www.bunnahabhain.com
Caol Ila - 01496 302 769 www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries/caol-ila
Kilchoman - 01496 850011 www.kilchomandistillery.com
Bruichladdich - 01496 850 221 www.bruichladdich.com
Ardnahoe - 01496 840777 www.ardnahoedistillery.com
Port Ellen - 07922 102037 www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/port-ellen

Islay Ales - 01496 305472 www.islayales.com
Islay Rum - 01496 302679 www.islayrum.com

Shops to Visit

The Celtic House (Bowmore) - 01496 810 304 www.theceltichouse.co.uk
The Islay Whisky Shop (Bowmore) - 01496 810 684
Spirited Soaps (Bowmore) - 01496 810 938 www.spiritedsoaps.com

Islay House Square (Bridgend) – Islay Quilters / Isle of Islay Gin (Nerabus) / The Islay Whisky Vault / Rumarr clothing & accessories

Islay Woollen Mill (Bridgend) - 01496 810 563 www.islaywoollenmill.co.uk

Windswept Farm Shop (near Port Charlotte) - www.facebook.com/windsweptfarmshop

Persabus Ceramics (near Port Askaig) - 01496 840 243 www.persabuspottery.com

The Blue Letterbox (Port Ellen) - 01496 300 123 www.theblueletterbox.co.uk
The Shop in the Box (Mull of Oa) - www.facebook.com/shopintheboxislay

Supermarkets

There are Spar shops at Port Ellen, Bridgend and Port Charlotte as well as larger Co-op stores at Bowmore and Port Ellen.

Restaurants & Bars

Port Ellen

No.1 Charlotte Street (Bar only) - 01496 300 120 www.no1charlottestreet.com
18 Restaurant & Bar, Machrie Hotel - 01496 302 310 www.another.place/the-machrie
Ardbeg House - 01496 730059 www.ardbeghouse.com
The Balaclava Byre - 07778 279 124 www.thebalaclavabyre.co.uk
The Bothy, Port Ellen Pavilion - 07932 526322 The Bothy Facebook Page
Sea Salt Bistro - 01496 300 300 www.seasalt-bistro.co.uk

Bowmore

Bowmore Hotel - 01496 810 416 www.bowmorehotel.co.uk
Islay’s Plaice & Deli Den - 01496 305389 Islays Plaice Facebook Page
Lochside Hotel – 01496 810 244 www.lochsidehotel.co.uk
Peatzeria – 01496 810 810 www.peatzeria.com
Taj Mahal – 01496 810 033
The Golden Dragon - 01496 810 811

Bridgend

Bridgend Hotel - 01496 810 212 www.bridgend-hotel.com

Port Charlotte

Lochindaal Hotel – 01496 850 202 www.lochindaalhotel.co.uk
Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen - 07483 123639 www.lochindaalseafoodkitchen.co.uk
Port Charlotte Hotel – 01496 850 360 www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk

Portnahaven

An Tigh Seinnse – 01496 860 725 An-Tigh-Seinnse Facebook Page

Ballygrant

Ballygrant Inn – 01496 840 277 www.ballygrant-inn.com

Port Askaig

Port Askaig Hotel – 01496 840 245 www.portaskaig.co.uk

Cafes/Coffee Shops/Lunches

Copper Still Coffee located by Port Ellen Harbour - Facebook Page
Little Charlotte’s Cafe (part of No1 Charlotte Street, Port Ellen) - Instagram Page
The Bothy, Port Ellen Pavilion - 07932 526322 Facebook Page
Ardbeg Old Kiln Café - 01496 302244 www.ardbeg.com
The Celtic House (Bowmore) - 01496 810 304 www.theceltichouse.co.uk
Lynn’s Labels - www.lynnlabels-of-islay.co.uk
Debbies Minimarket (Bruichladdich) - 01496 850 319 www.ileach.co.uk/debbies/
Oyster Shed - 07376 781214 Facebook Page
Kilchoman Distillery - 01496 850011 www.kilchomandistillery.com
Craigard Kitchen (Ballygrant) - 07799 410458 Facebook Page
Ardnahoe Distillery - 01496 840777 www.ardnahoedistillery.com

Islay Transport

Buses

For times and services of buses around Islay, please check the Argyll & Bute website www.argyll-bute.gov.uk

Taxis

Attic Cabs (Colin) - 07944 873 323
Bodach Islay Taxis - 07513 066 029
Bonnie Islay Taxis - 07903 568724
Bowmore Taxi Service - 01496 810449 or 07899 756159
Bruichladdich Taxis - 01496 850 271 or 07899 942 673
Cathy Heads Islay Taxi - 07376 952 320
Hughie’s Taxi - 07737 491 429
Islay Taxis - 01496 850 170 or 07771 921 157
Islay Tours - 07474 686 367
Jim’s Taxis - 07967 505 991
Lamb Taxi - 07846 055 399
McIntyre Private Hire Taxi - 07359 489038
Westering Home Taxis (Nigel) - 07777 337 859

Car Hire

Islay Car Hire - 01496 810 544 www.islaycarhire.com
Creswell Cars - 01496 302 300 www.cresswellcars.com

Petrol & Diesel

There is petrol and diesel available at Port Ellen, Bowmore, Port Charlotte and Port Askaig.

EV Charging Points

There are EV charging points at Port Ellen Ferry Terminal, Bowmore Distillery, Bowmore Bank Car Park, The Machrie Hotel, Kilchoman Distillery & Caol Ila Distillery. Please check the Zapmap and ChargePlace Scotland apps for more details.

Tourist Information

Lots of information on Islay can be found at:
Explore Islay & Jura - www.islayjura.com
Islay Info - www.islayinfo.com