Islay Island Hopping
Scottish Island Hopping: Islay
The Scottish Isles are the perfect getaway from hectic city life. If you’re planning to do a spot of Scottish island hopping, make sure you visit us on Islay. This beautiful scenic hot spot in the Inner Hebrides is perfect for relaxing and has lots to offer.
Isle of Islay
Known as the ‘Queen of the Hebrides’, the Isle of Islay has been coined as Scotland’s answer to the Caribbean! This paradise has some of the loveliest beaches in the UK. With a coastline stretching over 130 miles, take a stroll from shore to shore starting with Loch Gruinar, Laggan Bay and Machir Bay. Machir Bay is a great location if you surf. Known for its magnificent sunsets, spend the day there riding the waves then chill out on the beach late into the evening.
Saligo bay is popular with the tourists for it’s soft sands and dunes. The water at Saligo can be temperamental however it does not stop our visitors from going to soak up the views. If you’re around this area, two miles north Saligo bay is another great location for day trippers, Kilchoman. It’s home to the Kilchoman Distillery with a great gift shop inside. Why not treat yourself to an Islay souvenir for one of your loved ones? There is also a lovely café there, if you are planning on taking a break after walking over our endless coastline. Not mention only mere minutes walk away from our gorgeous self-catering cottages!
Whisky tours are held daily on the island; the experience offers the chance to taste some of the production after seeing it being developed on site. Organise your trip before you even arrive and let Islay Sea Adventures do the hard stuff. If not, taxi tours are also available.
Nearby Islands to Hop Along to
After a visit to Islay, you must visit our neighbours on Jura. The trip by ferry from Islay to Jura only takes five minutes, and it is a beautiful Scottish island to visit. Colonsay is also nearby. There are many other amazing islands right here in the Hebrides to explore. Skye, Mull, Harris, Lewis, Barra and Iona to name just a few. So, time to start planning your Scottish island hopping adventure!
Scottish Island Accommodation
If you’re looking for good quality accommodation during your visit to Islay, please take a look at our comfortable accommodation options and get in touch if you need any help at all.
Everything was to a good standard, the beds were comfortable and the wi-fi connection was more than adequate for such a remote location (we didn’t use the TV/DVD). The living room and kitchen area is perfect for relaxing in the evenings, and you’ll be amazed at the quiet ! If your idea of the perfect holiday is getting out into the wilds and exploring miles of unspoilt beauty, this is the place for you. I am certain it is popular with walkers, but you can also do many exciting trips by car (which you’ll need anyway to get around !). Some of the roads do get a bit funky in places, and it’s largely single track with passing places, but you soon get used to this, and the courtesy between drivers is generally a joy to experience.
The Kilchoman cottages are near three absolutely stunning beaches, all within 4/5 miles: Machir Bay, Saligo Bay and Sanaigmore, it was impossible to choose between them, but we visited each one at least twice. Perhaps the most scenic beaches we’ve ever seen, with beautiful rock formations, white sand and totally unspoilt (and indeed generally deserted !)
There’s also the possibility to take a day trip over to the nearby island of Jura, the famous `paps’ (mountains) add a stunning back drop to so many places on Islay. It is a photographer’s dream. Life is simpler here, and in many ways it had not changed at all for me since 1972 ! A lifetime dream fulfilled to come back here, and I wasn’t disappointed ! We were very very lucky with the weather, which does help, and on a good day I wouldn’t hesitate to call it paradise.
Handy hints: Take plenty of basic provisions with you, but the Co-op in Bowmore is up to modern standards for most of your needs, we only needed a couple of trips there to restock in two weeks. If you’re big on nightlife and bustle, give it a miss…but if you love nature, beauty and fresh air….it can’t be beaten.
