Isle of Islay

Scotland's Adventure Coast

Islay has a place in the heart of every whisky lover. Still, it’s not just the world-class distilleries that draw visitors to this beautiful, fertile and fascinating inner Hebridean island.

You’ll feel alive on Islay. Miles of pristine beaches. Spectacular wildlife and habitats. Invigorating walks and boat trips. Great food. World-class distilleries. The Inner Hebrides’ southernmost island, Islay, will inspire and move you.

There’s plenty for kids to do too, and Islay is a great place for an active family holiday in Scotland.

Islay has a varied geology, which in turn gives rise to a diverse range of natural habitats from moorland to peat bogs. Enjoy an outdoor adventure on Islay, with fantastic walking, cycling, golf, horse riding and kayaking on offer. 

Gaelic in Scotland

The indigenous language of Argyll contains a great richness of expression. Here we have some lines from the Gaelic poetic tradition about Islay & Jura.

Ó mo ghaol air Ìle ’n fheòir
Far an d’ fhuair mi m’ àrach òg;
Oh my love for Islay of the grass
Where I got my early upbringing
(Trad.)

Islay & Jura

Gaelic with thanks to CHARTS

WAA Islay

Visit Islay - The Whisky Isle

Scotland's Adventure Coast

The stunning beaches and mesmerising wilderness of the Inner Hebridean island of Islay will fill you with joy.

Islay is home to a vast variety of birds and wildlife, big unblemished skies, and, of course, world-famous distilleries. They will have you relaxing with peace, tapping your toes to traditional music, or tantalising your taste buds with quality local produce.

Islay is famed for its friendly locals, overwintering geese and miles of sandy beaches. The island also has a unique seafaring heritage and numerous fascinating archaeological sites, including standing stones, forts and duns, as well as Finlaggan, the former headquarters of the Lord of the Isles.

For many, a trip to Islay is the ultimate whisky experience. This tiny wee island boasts ten working distilleries producing whiskies that genuinely reflect their environment with a characteristic peaty flavour and a hint of salty air and seaweed. All the distilleries offer tours, and each has something special to offer. And for the truly devoted, with a bit of planning, yes, it is possible to do them all in a day!

Kilchoman and Ardnahoe are the newest distilleries, while Bowmore is thought to be one of the oldest in Scotland, notable for malting its own barley. At Caol Ila, you can see large-scale production, while Bruichladdich is refurbished in the old Victorian style. Ardberg produces one of the peatiest flavours while Bunnahabhain produces a milder, unpeated whisky. Lagavulin produces one of Scotland’s most famous whiskies, while Laphroaig is said to be a favourite tipple of King Charles III.

With these distilleries, it isn’t a case of ‘you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all’!

Islay Info can help you plan every aspect of your trip.

Top reasons to visit Islay

Big skies, soaring eagles, red deer and peaty malts; here’s why you should visit our special Hebridean island.

WHISKY White 01
10 Whisky Distilleries
CASTLE 01
5 Castles
Eagle 01
2 RSPB reserves
Golf 01
1 Links Golf Course
KAYAK 01
Watersports
WILDLIFE 01
Wildlife Spotting

Explore Islay

What are you looking for?
Background image - pxl_20240603_084354942_2.jpeg
Selkie Tours

Selkies are magical and marvellous creatures, they are kind, caring and intelligent. When in human form, our seals curate unique Itineraries, hosting fabulou...

Oban
Argyll
PA34 5NJ

Tel: 07554371630

Discover more
Background image - waa_header.jpg
Basking Shark Scotland

Operating across Argyll & the Isles, our wildlife-watching adventures run from April - October. Basking Shark Scotland is the only dedicated snorkel oper...

Cluaran
Crannaig-a-Mhinister
Oban
PA34 4LX

Tel: 07975 723140

Discover more
Background image - distillery_house-060-4064.jpg
Bowmore Distillery Cottages

Beautiful, comfortable, and tranquil, the Bowmore Distillery Cottages offer a unique place to stay near the heart of Islay’s oldest distillery. These traditi...

The Harbour Inn
The Square
Bowmore
Islay
PA43 7JR

Tel: 01496810330

Discover more
Background image - Header Image
West Coast Motors

Our extensive bus network across the West Coast of Scotland covering Campbeltown, Ardrishaig, Oban, Mull, Bute, Dunoon and Glasgow allows you to explore our...

Head Office, Benmhor
Campbeltown
PA28 6DN

Tel: 01586 552319

Discover more
Background image - img-20210825-wa0000.jpg
Jura Boat Tours

We offer bespoke Rib Tours to various areas of outstanding beauty in our modern, fully coded passenger Rib. There is an abundance of Wildlife found around ou...

3 Woodside
Craighouse
Isle of Jura
Argyll
PA607YA

Tel: 07976 280195

Discover more
Background image - ardbeg_banner.jpg
Ardbeg Distillery

For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on the small, remote Scottish Isle of Islay. Some people travel to Ardbeg along the winding road from Port Ellen. Ot...

Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
PA42 7EA

Tel: +44(0) 1496 302244

Discover more
Background image - Photo 30-06-2023, 12 16 24.jpg
Provident Sailing

A holiday on Provident will introduce you to the fabulous west coast of Scotland, where you can explore the islands, coasts, harbours, and hills of Argyll an...

Head Office, Dunstaffnage Marina
Dunbeg
Oban
PA37 1PX

Tel: 07549 935222

Discover more
Background image - kathy_cameron_tour_guide.jpg
Kathy Cameron Tour Guide & Driver

Let me take you on a bespoke and personal tour of my native Scotland, which I love so much. We can discover Scotland’s rich history and visit distilleries an...

15 Arkland
Inveraray
Argyll
PA32 8UD

Tel: +44 (0) 7775691641

Discover more
< Prev
Page 1 2 3 6
Background image - Waa Background
Islay on YouTube

Immerse yourself in all things Islay by watching our dedicated YouTube playlist, featuring food and drink, activities, and much more!

Watch YouTube
Background image - Youtube Screen

Getting here

Background image - Waa Single Letter Outline
Planning your journey

Travelling to and from Islay and Jura is a 2 hour ferry crossing from Kennacraig on the Kintyre pennisual which can be reached by car or by bus.

If travelling by car to Jura, take the Islay ferry from Kennacraig before taking the short connecting ferry from Port Askaig across to Jura. If by foot, take the passenger only service to Craighouse on Jura, from Tayvallich near Lochgilphead.

You can even fly to Islay from Glasgow.

Background image - Port Askaig Jura Ferry

Explore more of Argyll & the Isles

Stay Icon
STAY
Explore
See Do Icon
SEE & DO
Explore
Food Drink Icon
EAT & DRINK
Explore
WHATS ON 01
WHAT'S ON
Explore