Which port you arrive into will be determined by the day of the week and the time you choose to travel, or you can base it on which port is closest to where youre staying. This is such a pleasant wee exchange and one of the things I love about Islay. It is important to educate yourself on the driving etiquette when youre exploring rural areas and islands in Scotland. This will allow you to reach locations which are not served by bus and to treat yourself to a healthy dose of fresh, island air while youre at it! Vatersay is a little island off Barra, with a population of just 90 people. We are now submitting your order to TheWhiskyExchange.com. Cars must be booked onto the ferry in advance and check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure. If youre planning on visiting Islay, here is everything you need to know about this incredible island. There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? Port Ellen to Port Askaig: 19 miles, approx 30 minutes.Port Ellen to Portnahaven: 26 miles, approx 40 minutes.Bowmore to Port Askaig: 11 miles, approx 20 minutes.Bowmore to Sanaigmore: 13 miles, approx 30 minutes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're looking for Scottish travel inspiration, you're in the right place. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Lots of visitors travel to Islay in their own vehicles on the ferry; do remember to pre-book your car on the ferry if this is the case. Travel to the Isle of Jura and Local Transportation - Isle of Jura Scotland Scotland in Summer: A Guide to the Best Things to Do, Historic Buildings in Edinburgh: Complete Guide. Explore Islay by boat. See website for route schedules. Here is an overview of experiences on Islay, however I have covered these all in much more detail in my blog full of suggestions for things to do when visiting Islay. The Best Things to Do on Islay: Distilleries, Food & Outdoor Activities, Have a day at the beach at The Singing Sands or Machir Bay, Burn off some energy at the childrens play park at the, Explore the ruins and history of the Lords of the Isles at, Go seal spotting in the picturesque village of Portnahaven, Discover Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and the stunning Singing Sands. But with a week, you can pick a day when the weather is decent.. You really get the feeling you are away from the world. At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . Definitely a week,a full day on Jura is a must , providing the weather is sunny as like Islay you only see it at its best when it's sunny On Islay there are. Driving on the left is not hard to get used to. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I think I can make some decions now. Bus 500 from Glasgow airport to Glasgow central: 9 - one way (14.80 discounted return); I only include links to tours, accommodation and activities which I recommend and personally love. If you are arriving by ferry, but would still like to hire a car, you will need to arrange a suitable time to collect your car from the airport. Islay is absolutely doable on public transport for visitors who, like me, dont drive or for those who just dont want to: drinking whisky and driving is not a good mix. It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow. Answer 1 of 19: Hello! Just a suggestion. This journey should take about two and a half to three hours, depending on the amount of stops, and is a very scenic drive. Glasgow to Islay by Car via Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Kennacraig. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'outaboutscotland_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',829,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'outaboutscotland_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',829,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outaboutscotland_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-829{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:25px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:20px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Ive personally used Rabbies before, and every time has been an enjoyable experience. The Essential Guide to Visiting Islay - The Chaotic Scot You cannot drive around the perimeter of Islay as there is no ring road, but it is possible to drive to most parts on the mainly single-track roads. The bus services run between 7.20 am to 6.30 pm midweek and 8.10 am to 6.30 pm at the weekend, but there is no service on Sunday so you could find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere if you miss the last one on Saturday evening which is where Islays taxi services will come to the rescue. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. Oh, and a good 2000 miles to the west you'll end up in Newfoundland and Labrador on the other side of the Atlantic. Inside, you can grab a tasty burger at the Gate 1 cafe! Also if you are planning on renting accommodation many have weekly lets. The 450 runs from Bowmore in the centre of the island to Portnahaven in the south west, while the 451 runs between Port Askaig in the north-east down to Port Ellen and Ardbeg in the south. Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. While youre walking along the clifftops keep your eyes open for otters which can often be seen hunting for food along the tide line, and you might also see seals, although their favourite spots on Islay are Loch Gruinart and the harbour at Portnahaven. Bear in mind these services are busy in the summer months so you will need to book well in advance. Discover tips and advice for visiting the Isle of Islay with this article that explains how to get there, how to travel around the island, the weather, and the best places to visit. The 450 service runs between the administrative capital Bowmore in the centre of Islay and Portnahaven in the south west. Ballivicar Farm, just outside Port Ellen, has 3 self-catering apartments with one or two bedrooms. You can probably see most of the island in 3 days, however a day on nearby Jura is worthwhile. At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and its rich, fertile land has earned the island its nickname as the Queen of the Hebrides. Another important piece of island etiquette is the famous Islay wave. Drive the winding road to Ardnave and walk across the dunes to see what I mean. They're just friendly, as most people on Islay. There aren't any real extremes, i.e you won't often experience scorching hot days during the summer or freezing cold days during the winter (the winter storms can be quite strong though). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. Make Traigh a Bhaigh Beach your first port of call. The ports are easy to reach by car; Oban is around a two and a half hour drive from Glasgow, and there are also train and bus services. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. If your family enjoys being outside and can be entertained with walks, beach days and water-based activities, then you will absolutely appreciate Islay. This is a wild expanse of open moorland, lochs and coastline with a few hills on the southern side that rise up to around 200 metres. Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it. The Islay & Whisky Coast tour with Rabbie's lasts four days and departs from Edinburgh two to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Where can I get cash on Islay? Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. A few options include, You won't get bored on a rainy day either, there's a lot to do on Islay: You could go for a swim at the MacTaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore. Good quality accommodation doesnt come cheap on Islay, however there are some budget-friendly self-catering options available. Subtract this from 8 hours to get 8 - 1:30 = 6 hr 30 min. Transport to Islay | islay.com By Car While flying is faster, the crossing on the ferry is so nice it has become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. Our itinerary is not set in stone but are planning to hit some of the following: 1. All of the distilleries have a visitor centre in some form, some with a shop and restaurant, some just a small reception. There are a number of locals who run taxi services on the island, which I have used in the evenings to take me back to my accommodation. Would a week be too long or is there plenty to see? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-103309309', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car then a 2.5 hr ferry). A week would be ideal. If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. They also offer distillery tours, usually 2-3 times a day. Arrival at Arran The ferry from the mainland arrives at Brodick, Arran's capital and main settlement. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. 105 miles. From Glasgow, head north on the A82 for 40 miles until you reach Tarbet (where the A82 becomes the A83). The drive takes 2.5hrs; there is also a Citylink bus service that runs three times a day between Glasgow and Kennacraig; the journey takes 3-3.5hrs. Driving Tour Distance (miles/km) Time; Circular Tour from Bridgend via Loch Gorm and Loch Gruinart: 19-35 Miles, 31-56Km: 2 - 5 Hours: Circular Tour Rhinns of Islay : 20 Miles, 32Km: We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? There arent any massive hills to tackle on the bike, but the island isnt completely flat either, so the extra push from the eBike is much appreciated. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Some taxi drivers also offer full and half day tours of the island. This is a long and straight road, also referred to as the "Low Road". ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-45677876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly from Glasgow. The bus service runs between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. Islay Car Hire provides Quality Self Drive hire on the Isle of Islay. Ive visited Islay in February and August so I know first-hand that the winter months are probably best avoided unless you absolutely have to travel at that time of year, even though there are plenty of distilleries to hide inside. Having been to Mull, I found Islay to be less dramatic in topography - flatter and easier to get around. Some accommodation providers on Islay are not listed on booking engines or Airbnb so it is also worth just going a Google search on the type of accommodation youre after and contacting hosts directly. [UPDATED 2020] Best Things To Do On Islay | dobbernationLOVES There are two ferry ports on Islay, Port Ellen in the south (journey time 2 hours 20 minutes) and Port Askaig in the north east (journey time 1 hour 55 minutes). The driver guides have an in-depth understanding of Scotland, the places they take you to are incredible, and the prices are reasonable. Both ferries leave from Kennacraig on the mainland. I love the experience of flying on Loganairs wee tartan-tailed planes, and seeing the islands from the sky. This is a site thats famed more for its history than its scenery but its a great place to visit nonetheless. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. Your email address will not be published. That means its almost always damp and boggy underfoot so no matter the time of year you risk going ankle-deep in bog water in many parts of the island. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. All 18,000 of them! Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. . How to get to Islay from Glasgow: a local's best guide You can view the timetable and book your tickets on the CalMac website. Isle of Islay - Holidays, Things To Do & Travel | VisitScotland The Series IIA on Islay is a 2.25-litre petrol, however. And dont forget the Islay Wave raising your hand to greet/thank other drivers passing the opposite way everyone on the island does it, and so must you! There are a whopping nine whisky distilleries on Islay, with more underway, so youll never find yourself far from one of these iconic white-washed buildings donned with huge lettering. Oahu Circle Drive One of the best drives in Oahu is the circle tour, where you drive around the island. Is there anything to do on a rainy day on Islay? Its a little tricky to get to if youve booked accommodation in the Port Ellen area as its located all the way up at the northern tip of the island, but its an absolutely beautiful place. The two 94.8m long vessels will replace the 36 . As an example, when I visited the American memorial at The Oa (detailed further down the page), the wind was so strong I could barely stand up.