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

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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

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Lagavulin Distillery

Lagavulin is said to be one of the oldest distilleries on Islay and is world-renowned for its smoky, peaty whiskies. The windswept Isle of Islay instils a st...

Lagavulin Distillery
Lagavulin
Isle of Islay
PA42 7DZ

Tel: 01496 302749

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Caol Ila Distillery

Reopened in August 2022 after an exciting renovation project, visit Caol lla, The Islay Home of Johnnie Walker. Join us for our signature tour at Caol Ila, F...

Port Askaig
Isle of Islay
PA46 7RL

Tel: 020 8838 9385

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Bowmore Distillery

Our Bowmore distillery tours bring our craft vividly to life. Come and discover how our exceptionally expressive single malt Scotch whisky is created.

Enjoy...

Bowmore Distillery

School St, Bowmore

Isle Of Islay

PA43 7JS

Tel: 01496 301228

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Bruichladdich Distillery

We are an innovative Islay distillery producing unpeated Bruichladdich, heavily peated Port Charlotte and super-heavily peated Octomore single malt whiskies....

Bruichladdich
Isle Of Islay
PA49 7UN

Tel: 01496 850190

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Bunnahabhain Distillery

Pronounced {Bu-nah-hav- en}, meaning mouth of the river, inspired by our location at the mouth of the Margadale stream. We are situated at the end of a small...

Bunnahabhain Distillery
Port Askaig
PA46 7RP

Tel: +44 1496 840646

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Laphroaig Distillery

Laphroaig, meaning “the beautiful hollow by a broad bay” in Islay’s native Gaelic tongue, is a place like no other. The distillery is perched on the shore, e...

Laphroaig Distillery
Isle of Islay
PA42 7DU

Tel: 01496 302418

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Ardnahoe Distillery

Ardnahoe Distillery opened for business on the 12th of April 2019. We have a Visitor Centre with a Shop and Whisky and Coffee bar. We run a comprehensive pro...

Ardnahoe Distilery
Port Askaig
Islay
PA46 7RN

Tel: +44 1496 840777

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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
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Getting here

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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.

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