Anyone visited Islay?

[Hibbyradge]

I'm thinking about visiting Islay for a few days this summer, but I'm not sure about the logistics.

I'd love to visit all the distilleries and see the whole Island. Can this be done from a single base or should I move around?

Should I sail to Port Ellen or Port Askaig? etc etc (I'm favouring Port Ellen because of Laphroig and Lagavulin, but I'm not sure if that's best overall).

Any advice or recommendations would, as usual, be greatly appreciated.

[Ireallywasthere]

There are great cottages at the Bowmore distillery. Good base to get round all the distilleries. Did them in 3 days including Jura on the last day. Can't recommend the place highly enough. Brilliant trip

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[marinello59]

Base yourself in Port Ellen. (I am biased though, Mrs M59 is from there and we visit several times a year.)

[Hibbyradge]

Base yourself in Port Ellen. (I am biased though, Mrs M59 is from there and we visit several times a year.)

That would be my natural choice, but will I be able to drive everywhere and get back.

Including whisky tasting!

[heretoday]

It's nice but, like Arran, it tends to rain a lot!

[Pretty Boy]

I've always stayed in Port Chatlotte when visiting Islay.

Always found that ok for travelling to the various distilleries although thats easy for me to say as I have a heathen of a girlfriend who doesn't like whisky so the designated driver is sorted.

As well as the distilleries the beach at Machir Bay is a must visit and I would strongly recommend the Kiln Cafe at Ardbeg for food.

[hibsbollah]

If youre going by car just base yourself in one place. Easy to get around. We stayed in Bridgend.

Things we liked best were Machir beach on the west coast, Port Charlotte, the best village on the island with a cracking pub, Portnahaven where you can get close to the seals. If you leave the ferry at Port Ellen and take the narrow road along the coast you get all the coastal distilleries at once; Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and this is also where you get the best chance of seeing eagles, especially if you follow this road right to the end where the stone cross is. Ferry across to Jura is also worth it if you have a spare day.

[Hibbyradge]

I've always stayed in Port Chatlotte when visiting Islay.

Always found that ok for travelling to the various distilleries although thats easy for me to say as I have a heathen of a girlfriend who doesn't like whisky so the designated driver is sorted.

As well as the distilleries the beach at Machir Bay is a must visit and I would strongly recommend the Kiln Cafe at Ardbeg for food.

Was it Kilchoman whisky you told me about the other week?

[Pretty Boy]

Was it Kilchoman whisky you told me about the other week?

Yep.

That's a great wee distillery to visit as well.

[Hibbyradge]

Yep.

That's a great wee distillery to visit as well.

Excellent.

I'll definitely eat at the Ardbeg cafe too.

Unfortunately, I'll be driving so I'll need to take it easy on the drams.

Having said that, I do fancy the Laphroig Distillery Wares tour (http://www.laphroaig.com/distillery/visiting.aspx), but surely I'd be ok to drive after 3?

[marinello59]

That would be my natural choice, but will I be able to drive everywhere and get back.

Including whisky tasting!

You can rent a push bike from the playing fields at Port Ellen then ride out to Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg.:greengrin
Seriously, that road out there is worth spending a whole day on, it is my favourite stretch of road in Scotland. As well as the distilleries it's worth taking a look at the Kildalton Cross but don't stop there, keep heading out along the coast road. As already said, it's worth it for all the wildlife....Deer, Birds of Prey, Seals.
My parents rented a place just outside Bowmore when they went over to visit my in-laws and they found it ideal for getting everywhere fairly easily. Bruichladdich and Kilchoman are probably best combined in to a day and Caol Ila and Bunnahhabain combined with a trip to Jura would work well. And if Scottish history is your thing, make sure to visit Finlaggan.
You probably know already but just in case, even though the Machrie Hotel is shut the golf course is still open.:thumbsup:

[Twa Cairpets]

You can rent a push bike from the playing fields at Port Ellen then ride out to Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg.:greengrin
Seriously, that road out there is worth spending a whole day on, it is my favourite stretch of road in Scotland. As well as the distilleries it's worth taking a look at the Kildalton Cross but don't stop there, keep heading out along the coast road. As already said, it's worth it for all the wildlife....Deer, Birds of Prey, Seals.
My parents rented a place just outside Bowmore when they went over to visit my in-laws and they found it ideal for getting everywhere fairly easily. Bruichladdich and Kilchoman are probably best combined in to a day and Caol Ila and Bunnahhabain combined with a trip to Jura would work well. And if Scottish history is your thing, make sure to visit Finlaggan.
You probably know already but just in case, even though the Machrie Hotel is shut the golf course is still open.:thumbsup:

I worked at the Machrie as a barman in the mid eighties for a summer.
Real shame it closed, but glad to hear the golf course is open

[marinello59]

I worked at the Machrie as a barman in the mid eighties for a summer.
Real shame it closed, but glad to hear the golf course is open

It has a new owner and I think work has started on getting it modernised. It was past its best in recent years.

[Hibbyradge]

I've just booked a B&B in Port Ellen.

Tell me more about the road to Ardbeg, John.

[marinello59]

I've just booked a B&B in Port Ellen.

Tell me more about the road to Ardbeg, John.

I am in danger of over selling it if I go on so will leave it for you to explore yourself. :greengrin
Mrs M59 has pointed out to me that it isn't the playing fields in Port Ellen that hire out bikes, you pick them up in the centre of the village. Link below.

http://www.islaycycles.co.uk/index.php

When are you going by the way?

[Hibbyradge]

I am in danger of over selling it if I go on so will leave it for you to explore yourself. :greengrin
Mrs M59 has pointed out to me that it isn't the playing fields in Port Ellen that hire out bikes, you pick them up in the centre of the village. Link below.

http://www.islaycycles.co.uk/index.php

When are you going by the way?

Towards the end of June.