how long to drive around islay

If you talk to the taxi companies they might be able to put something together as well. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Ive heard from friends that spring (April/May) is a good time to be on Islay as there are frequent sunny days, the temperatures arent too bad and the accommodation prices are lower than the peak summer season. I would welcome suggestions about which area to stay in and how to get around. The distance between Glasgow and Islay is approximately 140 miles, which means that the drive will take around 3-4 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions. From Kennacraig, ferries run to Port Ellen three times a day (2hr 20min crossing time) and twice a day to Port Askaig (2hr 5min), with extra crossings during the Feis Ile festival in May. It's stunning. While certainly not as frequent as in an urban area there is a regular bus service between the major villages. Whisky is, of course, Islays ultimate claim to fame; it is a way of life on this windswept isle. When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. The Chaotic Scot is packed with personality, travel tips, and destination inspiration - as well as the odd misadventure! One last thing if you take an electric bike to Islay youll have the best of all worlds. Cost breakdown on getting to Islay from Glasgow, by bus & ferry. There are a number of taxi firms on Islay, some of which offer half- or full-day hire as well as whisky tours, too. All those activities, I'm getting hungry: Where can I eat on Islay? Day 3: Vatersay and exploring Barra. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. Visit in October and youll see the spectacle of barnacle and white-fronted geese fly in from Greenland to spend the winter on Islay. For ideas on how to spend your time on the island, check out my other post on the best things to do on Islay. If you would rather not drive there are Citylink coaches that leave Glasgow four times a day from Buchanan Street bus station which takes around 3 1/4 hours. If your primary goal is to visit distilleries you might want to consider some of the tour guides, for example http://www.ladyoftheisles.co.uk/ They will take you to the distilleries, in particular the ones impossible or tricky to reach by public transport (Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain, Jura, to a lesser extent Caol Ila). Republishing any content, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. The A846 also continues from Port Ellen to the distilleries at Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. I mentioned this peninsula earlier but Ill repeat myself here as it really is a stunning place. The bay features a famously large beach known as The Big Strand which is an astonishing 7 miles long, and luckily enough for campers, Kintra Farm has the best access point. Im Craig Neil, I'm from Edinburgh, and I've spent over 20 years exploring Scotland. There are a ton of sites, standing stones and ruins on both Islay and Jura. Its a big airport, so I would give yourself extra time if youve never visited it before, or at least take a look at my Scotlands Airports Guide which will give you further information about it. As nice as Islay is for walking you might like to hop on the ferry to the neighbouring Isle of Jura which can be reached from the terminal at Port Askaig. We have been visiting Islay each year for the last week of our yearly trips to Scotland for many years, and we do use a hire (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We will (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Also, there are generally fewer tourists milling about so you can breeze through the distillery tours without having to wait for available space. 5 day forecast for Bowmore from BBC Weather, Ionad Chaluim Chille le (Columba Centre), Islay (Pevensey Island Guides) by Norman Newton, Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and Its Whiskies by Andrew Jefford, Islay and Jura (Images of Scotland) by George Robertson, Islay: Biography of an Island by Margaret Storrie, Port Charlotte Distillery Warehouse On Islay, Accommodation on Islay section of my Islay links page, IslayBlog.com, a blog about the Isle of Islay, Scotland, Islay is the most southerly of the Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. The first day is a wash for practical purposes. The service links Portnahaven, Port Charlotte, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bowmore and Port Ellen. Bunnahabhain - most remote of the Islay distilleries, established in 1881. You must not light open fires on Islay where there is dry peat due to the fire risk. How many distilleries are there on Islay? Carol's Cabs - tel: +44 (0) 1496 302 155 / Mobile: +44 (0) 777 5782155. Next take the A83 near Tarbet passing Rest and be Thankful towards the lovely town of Inveraray. Craig Neil is a travel writer from Edinburgh with a passion for visiting Scotland's tourist attractions from the rugged Highlands to the bustling cities. For the latest ferry information contactCaledonian MacBrayne: Getting to Islay by air is very easy thanks to the airline Loganair which operates two flights daily out of Glasgow International airport (GLA). From there, you can catch a ferry to Port Askaig on Islays east coast. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The answer is yes to both. By Bus Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. Upon clicking the "Checkout" button you will be transferred to their website for the final checkout. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. The driver guides have an in-depth understanding of Scotland, the places they take you to are incredible, and the prices are reasonable. Only for Kilchoman would a taxi be needed. Your email address will not be published. The main routes are the A846 from Port Ellen to Port Askaig passing Bowmore and Bridgend on the way and the A847 from Bridgend to Port Charlotte passing through Bruichladdich. Having been to Mull, I found Islay to be less dramatic in topography - flatter and easier to get around. Islay distillery tours. While the weather as a whole is quite mild (for Scotland) those winds are another matter altogether and they can make or break your holiday on the island. 5 . There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the. To calculate this answer, follow these steps: Calculate total break time: 15 min + 60 min + 15 min = 1 hr 30 min. In this website I share my experiences of visiting the top Scottish attractions along with travel tips and advice to help you plan your own sightseeing tour. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. The eight existing ones are (in alphabetical order): In addition to the distilleries on Islay there is also the. The journey time from Glasgow to Kennacraig is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes and you can get advanced fares for as little as 23.60 return. There is also a ferry service between Islay and Jura, across the Sound of Islay. The first is Bowmore Taxi Service which runs an excellent whisky and sightseeing tour and the second is Islay Taxis which pick up from the airport as well as offer tours around the island. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? As an Amazon Associate, I earn a wee commission on qualifying purchases. They will process and deliver your order. The journey time to the airport can be as little as 15 minutes and you can buy tickets in advance online or on the bus on the day which currently costs 14 for an open return. The flocks are so vast the fields surrounding the loch turn black and white as the geese get their strength back after their long flight, and its an amazing experience to sit in the bird hides and watch the wildlife spectacle unfold in front of you. There are signs for the airport as soon as you enter the Glasgow city limits but if you have a satnav you might like to enter the address Paisley PA3 2ST which will re-direct you if theres congestion bear that in mind if youre travelling on the M8 between 8 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. Thanks. After a few miles you reach Islay Airport at Glenegedale and the famous Machrie Golf Course, both on your left. Need a few quick answers for questions about Islay? Visit Ardnahoe distillery for a tour and lunch. Islay is pronounced EYE-LA and no one says it better than a local with their lovely, lilting accent. By Taxi 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. We are mainly interested in viewing wildlife, and visiting a couple of distilleries. How do I drive around on Islay? The two main services are the 450 and the 451 which will take you between Portnahaven, Bowmore, Ardbeg, Bridgend and Port Askaig although as I mentioned in the flight section, there can be an hour or more between them. There are a dozen or so crossings each day between Port Askaig and Feolin on Jura; the crossing only takes 10 minutes. Opening hours vary, so best check before going. 1. Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for the Barnacle Geese. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. Islay actually isnt as bad as the mainland for midges which I think might be down to the Atlantic winds keeping them at bay, but when the winds drop they can be a real pain. You could also choose an accommodation which offers food and drink or book a local taxi. There is a wide variety of accommodation on Islay, from hostels and glamping pods to homely B&Bs and high-end guesthouses and hotels. With only three days to spend and 8 distilleries to visit (7 on Islay and 1 on Jura) it's going to be a rushed few days. Theres a visitor centre in the car park which depicts the story of the Lords of the Isles and well as explaining the significance of this part of the island. Theres no other word for it. travelling around the island - do i need a car. all winter) as flights get frequently cancelled without much notice. A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. Another fantastic way to explore Islay is by eBike with Islay E Wheels. At 25 miles long by 15 miles wide, Islay is the fifth largest island in Scotland, and it's rich, . Summary. Where can I access the internet on Islay? Jim is a lovely legend of a man, whom my Dad and I stayed with on our first visit to Islay. There is so much more to come. From Edinburgh head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food. Is there an Islay guide I can print off and take with me? 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. I would rather not have to cope with driving on the (to me) "wrong side" of the road. . There are a few campsites on the island but the two main ones are Kintra Farm and Port Mor. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses as well as a large variety of self-catering accommodation. Visitors can explore the open landscape by taking a ferry from Port Askaig and cycling or driving around the A846 which offers . The local bus service connects all of the main towns and most of the distilleries. Kennacraig is 65 miles from Tarbet and is located near the top of the Kintyre peninsula. Glasgow to Islay by Car via Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Kennacraig. If you add viewing wildlife a week seems ideal. Getting to Kennacraig from Glasgow on public transport: Kennacraig is on the Scottish Citylink service 926from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Campbeltown. The roads are often winding and single-track, so care should be taken at all times, and Passing Places are there for a reason: to allow overtaking and two-way traffic on single track roads. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. Theres a reason why this island has the nickname Queen of the Hebrides, and its nothing to do with Isle of Islay whisky. The road then follows the path of Loch Fyne, Scotland's large sea loch, taking in some spectacular scenery along the way, including Inveraray Castle. The trip over is very short maybe 10 minutes shore to shore and costs less than 10 for a car and driver so theres no reason not to make the journey. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. Islay is a terrific place to explore by car. The largest shop on Islay is the Co-Op in Bowmore. Three Distilleries Pathway. Total travel time is 2.5 to 4 hours, distance by car approx. It is recommended to book for a tour to avoid disappointment, your best option is to contact/call the distilleries (details are usually available on their websites). Be aware that many of Islays roads are single track with passing places, and allow plenty of time to get to your destination what looks a short journey on a map will usually take much longer. Islay is a superb place for camping whether its in a tent or camper van and there are several designated camping areas where you can pitch for as long as you like. The famous Scottish whisky island is just 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, easily explored in 2-3 days. Report inappropriate content. Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides, and forms part of a group of islands which are also referred to as the Southern Hebrides: its closest neighbours are Jura, Gigha and Colonsay. Check out my other blog on the top things to do on Islay. You can find links to a number of places in the, First of all hopefully great memories from a wonderful visit. Lower Killeyan, Islay. The bikes can be picked up in Port Ellen or delivered to your location of choice for 10 (free for 3 bikes or more) and they cost 30 per day. The Isle of Islay on Scotlands west coast is one of the countrys premier tourist destinations, and not just for its whisky distilleries. http://www.armin-grewe.com/islay/islay-faq.htm#withoutcar, http://www.isle-of-islay.net/islay_transport.html. For a map and to look around try. As soon as I stepped foot off the ferry I was blown away by how attractive it is with its wide sweeping plains of Machar, gently rolling hills and dramatic coastline. Its not quite as scenic as Kintra Farm as the stretch of coastline is bare rock without a beach to walk along, but then you do have pubs and restaurants nearby in Port Charlotte and the Port Mor centre has a caf, internet access and laundry facilities. Vatersay is a little island off Barra, with a population of just 90 people. I have taken to the air and to the sea, and I loved both experiences. The obvious choice for a souvenir is Islay Single Malt Whisky, available from the distillery shops. All of the distilleries have a visitor centre in some form, some with a shop and restaurant, some just a small reception. Quite a few old ruins up north past Gruinart. Verify this result with our drive time calculator. The road then follows the path of Loch Fyne, Scotlands large sea loch, taking in some spectacular scenery along the way, including Inveraray Castle. Adjust your driving style and speed accordingly. I've had a few one week visits to Islay in the last four or five years, and I've never yet found the time to visit Jura, so a week is definitely not too long. All other roads are single track roads with passing places, including the B8016 (also known as High Road) from Port Ellen to Bowmore, the B8018 from near Bruichladdich to Kilchoman and the stretch of the A847 from Port Charlotte to Portnahaven.
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