how long to drive around islay

The Scottish islands are my favourite place in the world, and I've visited 62 so far. Is there an Islay guide I can print off and take with me? If you are planning a trip to Islay, or are simply looking to get inspired, this post brings together all the essential practical information that you need to get started, from how to plan your journey and get around the island, to choosing accommodation and which distilleries to visit. This journey is more expensive than the Kennacraig route at 109.10 per car plus 14.20 per passenger return, and it takes around 4 hours. They will process and deliver your order. A return ticket on the ferry currently costs 71.10 per car plus 14.20 per adult. A few options include, You won't get bored on a rainy day either, there's a lot to do on Islay: You could go for a swim at the MacTaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore. 1. The campsite is quite basic and you dont get many facilities other than water stands and a toilet block which also has showers, but then youre allowed to pitch your tent anywhere you like and the views are stunning. Islay is accessible by flight or ferry, and it is possible to reach the island entirely on public transport. Admittedly thats an hour longer than driving your own car, but it does at least mean you can have a few drinks on the way and you wont have to worry about drink-driving after visiting Islays distilleries (dont forget we have a near-zero drink-drive policy in Scotland). Head to Lower Killeyan and youll discover another nice beach with a large cave thats completely sheltered, or walk towards Loch Indaal to find the 7-mile-long Big Strand. We have been visiting Islay each year for the last week of our yearly trips to Scotland for many years, and we do use a hire (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Take the A82 from Glasgow towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. If youre driving to GLA expect to take (midday): Edinburgh 1 1/4 hours, Stirling 3/4 hour, Dundee 1 3/4 hours, Ayr 1 hour. If you need a car on Islay there is the option of a. Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. In this website I share my experiences of visiting the top Scottish attractions along with travel tips and advice to help you plan your own sightseeing tour. There are a whopping nine whisky distilleries on Islay, with more underway, so youll never find yourself far from one of these iconic white-washed buildings donned with huge lettering. How do I drive around on Islay? How you choose to travel to Islay will depend on how much time you have, your budget, and where youre coming from. This website includes affiliate links to Booking.com and GetYourGuide. They both stick to the main roads on the island. Like most of the islands on Scotlands west coast, Islay experiences strong winds brought in from the Atlantic Ocean throughout the year. Transportation options between Port Ellen and Burichladdich? This is a wild expanse of open moorland, lochs and coastline with a few hills on the southern side that rise up to around 200 metres. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You cannot wild camp on private property without obtaining permission first. Take a look at their accommodation page for an updated list of self-catering homes. Out About Scotland is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Glasgow to Islay by Car and Ferry - 4 Different Routes Tips Travel Times Check out some tours and trails on the island, from sampling the exquisite whisky and finding out more about distilleries to exploring the open sea. Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it. Get the ferry to Islay from Kennacraig on Kintyre, landing at Port Ellen (2 hours 20 minutes) or Port Askaig (from 1 hour 55 minutes). Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2018 . Its a little tricky to get to if youve booked accommodation in the Port Ellen area as its located all the way up at the northern tip of the island, but its an absolutely beautiful place. There are only 200 inhabitants living across the island's 142 square miles which makes Jura one of the least inhabited places in Scotland. Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for the Barnacle Geese. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Regions of Scotland The Hebrides Inner Hebrides Isle of Islay. Getting Around Islay | islay.com Youll find Loch Finlaggan a few miles southwest of Port Askaig on the northeast part of the island in an area thats mostly grassland and farmland but is no less attractive for it. {{checkoutCalculateItemTotalPrice(product)}}. In particular if you are staying in self-catering accommodation you might need to know where you can get your (grocery) shopping done. There are some indoor options too, which are handy for rainy days. SCOTTISH TRAVEL BLOG PACKED WITH FUN, FOOD & INSPIRATION. Islay Ferry - The Complete Guide on Ferry Travel to Islay Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. I think I can make some decions now. One of the best ways to explore Islay is by taking your car across on the ferry. Autumn meanwhile is often cloudy, dull and grey so Id personally avoid that time of year unless youre travelling in September which frequently sees the remains of summer weather with around 12 hours of daylight and temperatures hovering in the 15/16 C region. We usually go to Mull which we absolutely love (the variety of scenery and wildlife etc) so were wondering if Islay can compare? A bus stop directly outside the terminal building follows the A846 and the A847 from Portnahaven to Ardbeg so youll be able to stop at most of the distillery villages, but I found the buses to be quite infrequent so if you mistime your flight you might find yourself waiting up to 2 hours for the next bus. With no synchromesh on lower gears, it . Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. The Calmac ferry from Kennacraig on Kintyre sails to Port Askaig and Port Ellen on Islay. For a leisurely trip a week would be great. Islay is famous for a number of things: Mainly probably for its excellent Islay Single Malt Whiskies from the eight working distilleries. Firstly, it is a minimum 5-hr plus journey from Glasgow (3 hrs by (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Islay Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (Day Trip to Islay) Transport to Islay By Car From Glasgow, head north on the A82 for 40 miles until you reach Tarbet (where the A82 becomes the A83). The bikes can be picked up in Port Ellen or delivered to your location of choice for 10 (free for 3 bikes or more) and they cost 30 per day. The two 94.8m long vessels will replace the 36 . Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides close to the Isle of Islay. The route via Loch Lomond and Inverary is longer (just over 100 miles from Glasgow) but faster, and you should be able to drive from Glasgow to Kennacraig in around 2 1/2 hours. On the other hand youll experience the least amount of annual rainfall and the daylight hours will be long. Sure, you can even get beer brewed on Islay: There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. The main routes are the A846 from Port Ellen to Port Askaig passing Bowmore and Bridgend on the way and the A847 from Bridgend to Port Charlotte passing through Bruichladdich. Ballivicar Farm, just outside Port Ellen, has 3 self-catering apartments with one or two bedrooms. The price starts at 356 and includes transport in a mini-coach, the ferry crossing and an extremely knowledgable driver-guide. These are the ways you can explore Islay without a car. Lower Killeyan, Islay. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours. They're just friendly, as most people on Islay. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. I only include links to tours, accommodation and activities which I recommend and personally love. Often asked: What To Do Islay Scotland? - Scotland Blog It is, however, a bit of a trek to get to Kennacraig so Ill give you an overview of the route from Glasgow.

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