The Isle of Islay: The Ancient Home of "The Lord of the Isles"
Islay is located off the West Coast of Scotland. It is the most southern of the Hebridean Isles and is the renowned former home of, "The Lord of the Isles." Islay is most famed for its malt whiskies but is also a place of wondrous scenery, fantastic wildlife...and home to quite probably the friendliest people on the surface of the planet.
Contents
A list of what you will find on this site
It is possible to click on any of the links below to go straight to the relevant part of this page...but why not browse the site in full and get the benefit of the whole Islay experience?
- Getting to Islay
- Port Askaig
- A Musical Taste of the Hebrides
- Islay Images in Print
- Bowmore
- William Wallace - The Most Famous Scotsman Ever?
- Want to find out more about Islay
- Islay Tourist and Information Centre, Bowmore
- Scotland Today and for Auld Lang Syne
- Islay Souvenirs and Merchandise
- Isle of Islay Blog Posts from Google
- An In-Depth Look at Islay and its Most Famous Product
- Islay Single Malt Collectibles on eBay
- Islay Malt Whisky Information Here on Squidoo
- These Are My Mountains
- What Did You Think?
Getting to Islay
By air or by sea
It is possible to either fly or sail to Islay. Flights operate from Glasgow Airport and are fairly inexpensive if they are booked far enough in advance. The flight time is around twenty-five to thirty minutes. Click here to visit the airport's site for detailed flight times, taxi and car hire information and lots more.
By far the most common way to travel to Islay, however, is by ferry from the port of Kennacraig on the West Loch, near Tarbert. Crossings alternate between Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay, taking two or two and a half hours respectively. The picture to the right is of the "Isle of Arran," one of the two ferries which operates the route, docked at Kennacraig and ready to take on vehicles for the crossing to Port Askaig. Those travelling as foot passengers only board via a gangway on the port side of the vessel.
By far the most common way to travel to Islay, however, is by ferry from the port of Kennacraig on the West Loch, near Tarbert. Crossings alternate between Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay, taking two or two and a half hours respectively. The picture to the right is of the "Isle of Arran," one of the two ferries which operates the route, docked at Kennacraig and ready to take on vehicles for the crossing to Port Askaig. Those travelling as foot passengers only board via a gangway on the port side of the vessel. Port Askaig
The smaller of the island's two ferry ports on the Sound of Islay
The picture to the right was taken from the deck of the "Isle of Arran" as it makes to dock at Port Askaig. Do not be fooled by the apparent calm of the water here as the currents in the Sound of Islay are among the strongest in Scottish inshore waters. The port itself is really only a hamlet, with - apart from the ferry terminal itself - merely a few houses, a small hotel and shop forming its entire make-up. A Musical Taste of the Hebrides
Stunning Scottish scenery accompanied by the gentle strains of, "The Dark Island"
In order to play the slideshow and music, click on the large arrow in the centre of the screen...
The Dark Island
Photographs of the Scottish Islands to the music of Braveharp.
curated content from YouTube
Islay Images in Print
There are of course a lot more beautiful views and landscapes to be found on Islay and its neighbouring Isle of Jura than I can realistically hope to feature in a project this size. That is why I recommend the book linked to below on Amazon.com to get a true feel for the islands and witness more of the stunning scenery which they offer the discerning traveller or tourist.
(The prices on this site are in US Dollars but if you are not in the USA, don't worry! Amazon will automatically give you the opportunity to divert to your own country's page for local pricing information as soon as you enter the site.)
(The prices on this site are in US Dollars but if you are not in the USA, don't worry! Amazon will automatically give you the opportunity to divert to your own country's page for local pricing information as soon as you enter the site.)
Islay And Jura (Images of Scotland)
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 01/08/2010) 
List Price: $17.95
Bowmore
The capital of Islay
The village of Bowmore is the capital of - and the largest settlement on - Islay. It is conveniently located in the approximate centre of the island, on the south shore of Loch Indaal. It is eleven miles from Post Askaig and ten from Port Ellen (Islay's two main ferry terminals) and about six miles from the airport. This is where all the island's main amenities are to be found, such as the swimming pool and leisure centre, the tourist information office, and the main bank branches, to name but a few.
The village was constructed from scratch in the late 1700's in an approximate grid formation. The two principal streets are Main Street, a wide sloping thoroughfare leading up from the harbour (pictured), and Shore Street. William Wallace - The Most Famous Scotsman Ever?
Have a look at the site below and the truth behind Braveheart
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William Wallace - Braveheart
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Whatever your own particular perspective causes you to think of William Wallace, surely no one can deny that he must have been quite a remarkable man in many ways? It was William Wallace who provided the inspiration and determination for the downtro...
Want to find out more about Islay
Here are some more sites dedicated to this beautiful island
- Islay Ultimate Online Guide - Isle of Islay Queen of the Hebrides
- Islay Queen of the Hebrides Ultimate and most Complete Islay Guide with accommodation travel info islay weblog and a wealth of information and pictures
- Islay - Wikipedia
- The famous online encyclopedia's guide to Islay.
- Islay and Jura
- The Hebridean Islands of Islay and Jura - the perfect place for a relaxing break Welcome to Islay and Jura and it's goodbye to care! The Hebridean Islands of Islay and Jura are the perfect place for a relaxing break. Islay, the southern most of the Hebridean Islands, is famed for its malt whisky.
- Ilay.com
- The site where the name says it all.
- Islay Whisky
- The Whisky School
- 3 days of Fun, Excitment & Education www.islaywhiskysociety.com
is in partnership with
www.thewhiskyexchange.com for retail sales Click
to buy Islay Malt Whiskies Online WANTED Rare & Old Whiskies
Full & Part Collections
Scandinavian Presentation The Islay
Islay Tourist and Information Centre, Bowmore
For help, information and advice
There is so much to see and do on Islay that however long your visit may be, it is best to get some advice upon how you may best make the most of your time. It is therefore a good idea to either contact the Tourist Information Centre before you go or make a point of calling in at your earliest convenience.The centre (pictured) can be found at The Square, Main Street, Bowmore, Islay PA43 7JP and can be contacted on +44(0)1496 810254 or by e-mail at info@islay.visitscotland.com
Scotland Today and for Auld Lang Syne
The latest posts on this wholly Scottish blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byIslay Souvenirs and Merchandise
Something to remember your trip by, perhaps?
There are of course a huge variety of products to buy on Islay itself as souvenirs of your trip. But what if you forgot to buy such an item during your visit, couldn't carry anymore, or simply haven't been able to arrange your trip to this island paradise as yet?No problem! There is an online store featuring a huge number of Islay souvenir items from clocks, to mugs, to sweatshirts at fantastic prices, available for delivery straight to your door. The t-shirt pictured to the right is available for an unbelievably low price of just $11.19 (about £5.50) plus postage and packing. Click here to visit the shop now and check what else is available to purchase today.
Isle of Islay Blog Posts from Google
What are people around the Web saying about Islay today?
- Islay and the Big Freeze - - Islay Blog
- Mark was kind enough to include some images from the big freeze on Islay too which are included in this post. For now I wish everyone a roaring fire, a fine Islay dram and let's forget about the scary stories in the media and enjoy this ...
- WhiskyIntelligence.com » Blog Archive » Inverarity 8yo (40%, Islay ...
- Sales to Islay fans have been fantastic. There is a very emphatic phenolic and medicinal character peat and iodine which is classic Islay; a good oiliness, powerful flavours yet also a breeze of fresh air. This is an excellent variation ...
- How did Islay get away without snow? - 07/Jan/2010 on IslayBlog.com
- Satellite pictures of Islay and Jura with very little snow while the rest of the UK is drowning in snow.
- Great Islay and Jura 360° Panoramas - 06/Jan/2010 on IslayBlog.com
- Links to many great Islay and Jura 360° panoramas on the z360.com site.
An In-Depth Look at Islay and its Most Famous Product
Whisky galore!
There can be little doubt that when a great many people think of Islay, it is to whisky that their mind turns. Here is a fantastic publication looking at the island's single malts in detail and the unique features which make them surely among the best in the world.
Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and Its Whiskies
Amazon Price: (as of 01/08/2010)
List Price: $14.95
Islay Single Malt Collectibles on eBay
Making - perhaps - an investment in your future
There are a great many Islay single malts which have appreciated significantly in value over the years. Have a look below and see if you can pick up what may ultimately prove to be a fantastic bargain!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Islay Malt Whisky Information Here on Squidoo
Hopefully this magnificent page will answer any questions you may have
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Single Malt Scotch Whisky - A Buyers Guide
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Single Malt Whisky is the purest form of scotch whisky, distilled in traditional ways for centuries in Scotland. There are many varities of Malt Whisky, yet the purist will avoid the blended malts and the cheaper end of the market often found on the...
These Are My Mountains
The story of a homeland lost...then rediscovered
Scotland is the land of my forefathers, the land of my birth, and has been my home right up to the present day. As I frantically arrange and negotiate, however, the date of my imminent departure, I can't help but wonder whether this song may prove somewhat prophetic in terms of my own long term future...
Alexander Brothers.........For These are My Mountains
One of The Family favourites brought to us all by Mum and Dads 8 Track !!
curated content from YouTube
What Did You Think?
Have you been to, or are you likely to visit, Islay?
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- May 23, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
- Great Lens 5* and welcome to Travelmania Group!
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by Gordon_Hamilton
My name is Gordon Hamilton and I live in the United Kingdom.
I have travelled to Islay on many occasions and have from that very first time found it...
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