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The incredibly comprehensive www.islayinfo.com website for all things Islay!
Island Tours
There are a number of different tours available:
Rhinns Taxi Tours
Stuart Doyle offers bespoke island tours for all tastes.
Telephone: 01496 850 170
Mobile: 07771921157
Lady of the Isles
Christine Logan, born and bred on Islay. Christine provides tours specifically tailored to your interests and timeframes, everything from distilleries, to craft shops, and wildlife to shooting.
For more information
Telephone: 01496 810485 christine@ladyoftheisles.co.uk
Mobile 07732 283554 www.ladyoftheisles.co.uk
Whisky Island Tours & Taxis
Sightseeing/Nature tours (full day or ˝ day). For more information:
Telephone/Fax: 01496 810449
Mobile: 07899 756159
Seafari
See Islay from the sea! Tour the island, watch the wildlife or the coastline! Visits organised to Corryvrekan whirlpool, or wherever you want to go.
Nicol MacKinnon 07768 450 000
Whisky
There are 8 distilleries on Islay and 1 on Jura, each with their own unique style and flavour.
Most of the distilleries offer tours during peak season, but remember to call in advance to book to avoid disappointment. Please note not all distilleries allow children under 8 years of age access to the production areas, please check with distillery directly to ensure your preferred tour is booked and that all required members of your party are able to take part.
Ardbeg Distillery, Visitor Centre and Old Kiln Café
Telephone: 01496 3022441 Fax: 01496 302040
Email: jthomson@glenmoragie.co.uk
www.ardbeg.com
Bruichladdich Distillery
Telephone: 01496 850190 Fax: 01496 850919
Email: mary@bruichladdich.com
www.bruichladdich.com
Bowmore Distillery
Telephone: 01496 810441 Fax: 01496 810757
Email: info@morrisonbowmore.co.uk
www.bowmore.com
Bunnahabhain Distillery
Telephone: 01496 840646 Fax: 01496 840248
Email: lillian.Macarthur@burnstewartdistillers.com
www.bunnahabhain.com
Caol Ila Distillery
Telephone: 01496 302760 Fax: 01496 302763
Email: flora.macaffer@diageo.com
www.malts.com
Kilchoman Distillery, Visitor Centre and Café
Telephone: 01496 850011 Fax: 01496 850156
Email: info@kilchomandistillery.com
www.kilchomandistillery.com
Laphroaig Distillery
Telephone: 01496 302418 Fax: 01496 302496
Email: caroline.morris@beamglobal.com
www.laphroaig.com
Lagavulin Distillery
Telephone: 01496 302730 Fax: 01496 302733
Email: rosie.johnston@diageo.com
www.malts.com
www.discovering-distilleries.com
Islay Ales
Ales from the Isle of Malts! A wide range of Real Ales brewed on the Island (and stocked in our bar), the visitor centre is located at Islay House Square, tours are available, and the shop also stocks clothing and other merchandise in addition to bottled beers.
If you are part of a large party please phone in advance.
Telephone: 01496 810014
Email: info@islayales.com
www.islayales.com
Wildlife
RSPB the Oa
With both rugged coastline and open moor land. Open at all times.
Telephone: 01496 300118
Email: the.oa@rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk/theoa/
RSPB Loch Gruinart
In the autumn, thousands of white-fronted and barnacle geese arrive from Greenland. When they leave in spring, the wading birds take centre stage, with the courtship displays of snipe, redshanks and curlews. Watch it all from the viewing centre and hide, or from your own car along the roadside.
The reserve is open at all times. The visitor centre is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
Telephone: 01496 850505
Email: loch.gruinart@rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk/lochgruinart/
Islay Birding
Fun bird watching for all levels of experience.
Telephone: 01496 850010
http://www.islaybirding.co.uk/
Estates, Stalking, Shooting, and Fishing
Islay Stalking
Islay Stalking offer daily tours with Mark Piper, to get up-close and photograph illusive wildlife living in the Gearach Forest.
Telephone: 01496 850120
www.thegearach.co.uk
The Laggan Estate
The Estate offers a wide range of fishing, shooting or stalking opportunities.
Contact the estate directly for further details.
Estate Office: 01496 810 235
Head Keeper: 0774 876 3288
Dunlossit Estate
This estate offers river-fishing opportunities on the upper reaches of the Laggan River.
Telephone: 01496 840 232
Islay Estate
Telephone: 01496 810 221
Sea fishing
You can fish off Port Askaig pier or choose any of the rocky coves on the shores of Lochindaal. Roger Eaton will charter his fishing boat for full or half-day trips.
Telephone: 01496 850436
Email: info@islaymarine.co.uk
www.islaymarine.co.uk
Islay Bushcraft
Be a part of the wild! What to take, how to make a fire, cook something to eat, and create a shelter.
Telephone: 01496 850010
www.islaybushcraft.co.uk
Sport and Relaxation
Pony Trekking
Ballivicar Farm, by Port Ellen
Ballivicar farm is a small family farm, with cows, sheep, pigs and horses (chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and so on), run on traditional, environmentally friendly lines. They have pony-trekking and carriage riding (behind a Clydesdale) available. The Centre is able to tailor rides to the riders' ability, from the youngest of riders to the most experienced. The lengths of rides are from one to two
hours responding to riders' expertise and horses' fitness.
Telephone: 01496 302251
www.islay-farm-accommodation.co.uk
Rockside Farm Trekking Centre
Located beside Kilchoman Distillery and, with over 20 horses and ponies on the farm, ranging in size from the Shetland ponies up. Even if you've never ridden before, the friendly, experienced staff will take you safely round one of the scenic routes.
Telephone: 01496 850 231
Golf
There is a Championship links 18-hole golf course at the Machrie.
Telephone: 01496 302 310 Fax: 01496 302 404
www.machrie.com
McTaggart Leisure Centre
Situated on School Street in Bowmore, with a 25m x 4 lane swimming pool, sauna, activity room, fitness studio, tan cab, sports shop, and launderette. Details of the opening times, and prices can be obtained at reception.
Telephone: 01496 850 086 Mobile: 07795465951
Therapeutic Massage & Reflexology
Jane Taylor Dip T.M. provides a therapeutic massage and reflexology treatments, for an appointment call 01496 810 900
Beaches
As diverse the rocky landscape is the beaches are equally as varied, Ardnave, the Big Strand, Claggain Bay, Kilchoman, Killinallan, Lossit, Saligo, and Sanaigmore.
www.discoverislay.com/beaches.html
Shopping &
Crafts
Outback Gallery – Sanaigmore
Located on one of the most remote locations on the Islay the gallery stocks and sells, jewellery, prints, cards, ceramics, sculptures and original paintings by local artists.
Tormisdale Croft Crafts
Hand spinning, stick making, lace making, painting and articles made from stag horn.
Telephone/Fax: 01496 860239
Islay Woollen Mill
Produces an excellent range of top quality woven fabrics, The Mill Shop is open from Monday to Saturday and features a wide selection of both Woollen Mill products and quality souvenirs.
Telephone: 01496 810563 Fax 01496 810677
Email: mill@islaywoollenmill.co.uk
www.islaywoollenmill.co.uk
Islay House Square
Is the location of several shops and the Islay Ales brewery. One of these shops is the Islay Quilters where fabulous quilts are made and next door you can find Elizabeth Sykes with her beautiful Batiks. The Square is also home Sue Eastwood’s stained glass, and chocolate workshops, and Mark Unsworth’s Photography gallery. Islay House Community Garden has been created in the old kitchen garden of
Islay house is located behind the square and sell seasonal fruits and vegetables. Visitors are welcome to view the garden, and even to help in the garden as a volunteer!
Heritage and History
Museum of Islay Life
From flint tools from the Mesolithic period to illicit whisky stills, and collections of old Islay photographs. 10,000 years of Islay history on display.
Open Monday-Saturday, 10.30 am – 4.30 pm from April until 31st October.
Telephone/Fax: 01496-850358
www.islaymuseum.org
Natural History Visitor Centre
Something for everyone, informative displays and hands on activities.
Open March –October, Monday-Friday 10 am – 4 pm,
Saturday (June to August only) 10 am – 4 pm.
Telephone: 01496 850 288
Other
Islay has lots of historically significant architecture, there is the Kildalton Cross, Cultoon Stone Circle, Dunyvaig Castle, Finlaggan, and the Mull of Oa.
Ionad Chaluim Chille Ěle
Columba Centre
The college runs short courses in Gaelic and traditional music, as well as hosting art exhibitions and public performances.
http://www.ile.ac.uk/ |
