Islay Blog

Fèis Ìle means Islay Festival and it’s the time of year whisky lovers and fans of Islay come together to enjoy our culture, food and drink together.

Hogmanay is what we call New Year’s Eve in Scotland. It’s a time of much celebration as we wave goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new with songs, fireworks and perhaps the odd dram of whisky.

Christmas is fast approaching, a time for families and friends to unite, celebrate and reflect. We don’t think there’s anywhere better to experience a traditional Scottish Christmas than right here on our beautiful island. There’s a great sense of community and togetherness here as we enter the festive period. And although…

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Jura Music Festival 2024 will take place from 27th to 20th September.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Jura Music Festival 2024 will take place from 27th to 20th September.

Islay is one of the most stunning destinations in the UK, and it makes for a fantastic and unique place to mark big life celebrations.

Islay is home to some truly magnificent natural beauty and Scottish wildlife. The island is a hot spot for wildlife and birdwatchers throughout the world and renowned for its offering of diverse and rare wild inhabitants. Planning a trip to Islay? Keep reading to find out more about wildlife spotting on Islay.

Do you dream of epic car tours through picturesque landscapes and charming villages? Look no further than the Isle of Islay…

If you love the idea of a remote and charming setting for your elopement wedding in Scotland, you can’t do any better than Islay Cottages.

Accommodation for large groups on Islay, Scotland Our Kilchoman House and cottages provide comfortable self-catering holiday accommodation on the beautiful island of Islay, and each property can be booked individually or as a group. Kilchoman House sleeps up to 12 people, and we also have five cottages, which stand just above it. Lossit Cottage, Machir […]

Scottish Ghost Stories from the island of Islay Whisky is by far the most famous spirit on Islay, our Scottish island. But with Halloween looming, we thought we would look at some of the other types of spirits that inhabit this ancient place. And some Scottish Halloween traditions. If you like Scottish ghost stories, then […]

Bowmore Distillery, Islay Bowmore Distillery is the oldest licenced whisky distillery on Islay. It has been producing whisky here since at least 1779 and it houses the No. 1 Vaults, one of the oldest Scotch maturation warehouses in the world. With such a long and rich history, this is a fascinating place to visit. At […]

Enjoy a spring break on Islay, Scotland As winter draws to an end, we are very much looking forward to spring. This is one of our favourite times of year. Nature is coming back to life, the weather is beginning to warm up, and there is a happy spring feeling in the air! Today, we’re […]

Ensuring your holiday is as environmentally friendly as possible is important to many people who visit the island. So there are now many ways you can do this, including bike hire on Islay or the use of electric vehicles to get around and see the sights. Here are a few ways you can go green whilst staying with us on Islay. 

Beautiful Islay villages and towns Are you planning a trip to Islay? If so, then make sure you don’t miss out on some of the beautiful Islay villages and towns here on the Island. There are little hamlets, villages and towns dotted all over Islay, and they are all within easy reach of each other […]

Islay Prehistory The history of Islay goes back to when hunter-gatherers settled here many thousands of years ago. With the discovery of Mesolithic and Ice Age artefacts in the area, researchers have come to the conclusion that Islay was occupied from around 10,000 BC. You can see many of these ancient tools and other items […]

Things to do with Kids on Islay What will you get up to when staying in our family-friendly accommodation on Islay? There are plenty of things to do with kids on our beautiful Scottish island. Here are some of our favourites. Play on the Beach Well, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to […]

You spend that last week before your holidays tying up all your tasks. Then you start to pack the car, have those niggles with your traveling partner(s)- ‘did I switch the iron off, have you left food for the cat, you did lock the back door, didn’t you?….’ and you are finally on your way to the ferry.

Asides from Islay’s stunning natural beauty, if there’s one thing our island can hold a claim to fame about. And that’s producing world class malt whisky! Of course, with eight distilleries on the island alone, it can be hard to know where to begin. But don’t worry, we’re here to give you an insight into our favourite whisky distilleries on Islay.

Islay is famous for its spectacular wildlife and is home to many species. A beautiful, peaceful and easily-accessible island of the Inner Hebrides, it’s the perfect place to visit for a Scottish nature and wildlife retreat. 

The Scottish Highlands and Islands is one of the most magnificent places to visit on earth! But with our rugged landscapes and famously changeable Scottish weather, you might be wondering what to pack for a visit. So, here’s our list to give you a few pointers.

Are you looking for romantic breaks in Scotland? Then why not make an adventure of it and visit the stunning Scottish island of Islay? Islay is a perfect romantic getaway, with scenery and views to set any heart fluttering! With Valentines Day just around the corner, this could be the perfect gift for your loved one to get those sparks flying!

Here on Islay, we are no strangers to the Highland cow, a distinctive type of cattle that originated in Scotland. This hairy, horned beast can often be spotted grazing our rugged landscapes, whatever the weather. They’re a hardy breed, and they thrive where others would struggle. But they are friendly too, and popular with tourists.

Whisky tasting is a niche for some, and most people will tell you that the perfect whisky has this or has that, or is between this age and that age. The truth is, it’s all subject to personal taste. But what really makes a whisky a whisky? In our essential guide to whisky tasting we’ve picked things which might help you work out what’s for you and what’s not when it comes to this fine art.

If there’s one thing the Queen of the Hebrides can hold claim to, it’s producing some of the world’s best Single Malt Whisky. Renowned for producing Whiskies with strong peaty tones, a trip to Islay is a Whisky connoisseur’s dream. Get ready for your next trip to the island with these 5 Inspired Islay Whisky Cocktails.

Dying to put pen to paper and churn out that next chapter of your debut novel? Perhaps you’ve simply had enough of your final year university dissertation? Writer’s retreats can work absolutely wonders … and Islay Cottages is the destination for you!