The Island of Malt Whisky and "Queen of the Hebrides" スコットランドのウイスキー島

(Almost) everything you need to know about Islay in just 9 minutes!
In almost every major airport of the world you’ll find Islay single malt whisky on sale, a remarkable fact given that just over 3000 live on this Scottish island in the southern hebrides. But as I’ll show you in this film, Islay is much more than simply a production line of malt whisky.
Islay is accessed either by a short flight from Glasgow or the Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on the mainland. The crossing takes around 2 hours, arriving at picturesque Port Ellen on the south coast or Port Askaig on the east coast. Once here, you can cycle or take a bus or taxi but by far the best way to get around is with your own car.
For accommodation there are camp sites, a selection of historic hotels and an abundance of characterful self catering options. On this trip I’m staying at the old schoolhouse on the Ardtalla estate in the remote south east corner of the island. Along with Serena, my mum and our furry pals. A place to unwind amidst the deer, the pheasants and the curious sheep.
It’s hard to say what constitutes a good weather day on Islay. Sunshine is nice of course, the strong prevailing winds keep the air fresh, but without the bountiful rain there would be no whisky. So embrace the downpours.
There are currently 9 working distilleries on the island, the classics - Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhainn, and Caol Ila, together with two newer distilleries at Ardnahoe, opened in 2019 and Kilchoman, the only farm distillery. Tours are best booked in advance through the distillery websites particularly in high season. On each visit you’ll be able to sample a dram of the local malt and stock up on merchandise. For a unique and independent collection of all the island’s best malts then speak to Bryony at the Whisky vault in Bridgend. If you have any spare cash you’ll find bottles worth up to 85 thousand pounds!
And whilst you’re in Bridgend add some Scottish refinement to your wardrobe at the Islay woollen mill.
For a good book about Islay its whisky or the Hebrides in general then make sure to pop into the Celtic House in The island’s capital of Bowmore, a grid pattern of whitewashed cottages spilling down to a harbour on Loch Indaal. It was founded in 1768 and legal distilling started shortly thereafter., which is why the name of the village is known worldwide.
At the age of the Rhinns of Islay, Portnahaven is one of those “end of the world’ type villages that feels like it hasn’t changed in centuries. Since 1825 it has been overlooked by the Rhinns of `Islay lighthouse, built by the Stevensons to help shipping to safely pass this treacherous coast. The pretty village of Port Charlotte is more sheltered, facing south across Loch Indaal and is home to the museum of island life and the stylish Port Charlotte hotel.
In medieval times the Macdonalds, carrying the title the Lord of the Isles ruled the Hebridean islands and much of the west coast of Scotland from an unassuming location at Finlaggan on the east of the island. It’s hard to imagine now but hundreds of clansmen would attend the assemblies here and it’s said that for the investiture of a new lord there could be up to 10,000 people around this loch.
The church at Kildalton in the south of the island also dates back to medieval times but the cross outside it is much older. It was carved around the year 800, almost certainly by one of the same artisans who carved the famous crosses at Iona based on their striking similarities. There was probably an early Christian monastery here, but no trace now remains. However the landscape is dotted with standing stones and burial sites from even older civilisations. This cross in a quiet corner of the island is one of Scotland’s greatest treasures.
Islay once had a fully Gaelic speaking population of over 10,000. Today’s total population is nearer 3000 with around a quarter speaking Gaelic. There is a hub to preserve and promote the language and culture throughout Argyll at the Islay Gaelic centre just outside Bowmore on the shores of Loch Indaal, from where you’re bound to see some of the 200 species of birdlife, including the thousands of geese that overwinter here and soundtrack the sky at dusk.
Whether you’ve been distillery hopping, hiking the mountains, playing golf or getting out amongst the birds, you’ll need to get some nourishment. A few personal favourites include the Seasalt bistro in Port Ellen, the illicit still cafe at Ardnahoe (what a view!), the Old Kiln at the Ardbeg distillery, and the Kilchoman cafe. [and the friendly Port More Community Cafe at Port Charlotte].
Enjoy Islay!
Jonathan Wheeler
Filmed March 2024
eye scotland
‪@eyescotland‬
(Travel Obscurer)
‪@TravelObscurer‬
#islay #visithebrides #maltwhisky

[@TravelObscurer]

Islay really is the "Queen of the Hebrides". A fabulous destination whether you like whisky or not.

[@ztmsl]

Excellent comprehensive little guide to Islay. Thanks! The island is on our calendar for 2025.

[@eyescotland]

You'll love it. I'm just finishing off a film about the ferry journey to Islay so hopefully you'll find that helpful too.

[@ztmsl]

@@eyescotland Thanks! That'll float my boat :-) Looking forward to it.

[@SauliJP]

Excellent little video, cheers!

[@eyescotland]

Many thanks!

[@andrew5200]

Missed my annual trip to Islay last year, so this video smile with a little nostalgia. Such a lovely island. Thanks for the video as well as the one on the ferries. Hopefully my next trip will be on one of the new ones.

[@eyescotland]

Thank you! I hope you get to return to Islay soon.