Visit Islay on your Scotland road trip

Take an unforgettable trip to Islay and enjoy the stunning coastlines and countryside of our beautiful island with a road trip. Whatever time of year you visit, you will be able to enjoy beautiful scenery, explore hidden corners and spot wildlife in their natural habitat. Enjoying Islay from the road is a great way to make sure you don’t miss any of our beautiful beaches or fascinating distilleries. And when you book a stay at Islay Cottages, you can have comfortable luxury accommodation to return to after your day out. Here are our top tips on making the most of your Scotland road trip on Islay.

Getting here with a car

If you are planning a road trip around Scotland, it’s straightforward to get your car over to Islay. Direct ferries leave the port at Kennacraig on the west of Scotland regularly, although you should book your trip in advance. You need to buy a ticket for all passengers, as well as one for your vehicle. 

You can choose whether you want to arrive at Port Ellen or Port Askaig. Whichever port you decide to visit, the total journey time on the ferry is around 2 hours. Remember to book your place on the ferry going back, too!

Islay has plenty of options for petrol and diesel. If you are bringing an electric car, great! We also now have many options for electric charging on the island too. 

Hiring a car

There are many options to hire a car before you arrive on Islay, and even once you get here. For example, Nomadic Scotland offer the chance to drive the roads with a 4×4, either automatic or manual. This can be a fun experience, and might even be useful if you are planning on driving along some of our smaller tracks. This is a great solution for those looking to do a tour of Scotland and some island hopping to Islay and Jura too. 

If you would prefer to hire your car here on Islay, then consider Islay Car Hire. This is a great way to get a car here but not need to worry about ferry crossing with one. Do make sure you book your car in advance, especially during the busiest tourist seasons. 

Things to see on your Islay road trip

Where to start? There’s so much beauty on Islay that taking a road trip is the best idea to catch as much of it as you would like to. Try a distillery tour (whilst remembering to have a designated driver) and enjoy a taste of our island’s whisky. If you’re here to see some Scottish deer, then head out into our forested areas and grassland for your best chance. 

Islay is also rich in castles and history. Take a tour through hundreds of years of human civilisation by visiting places like Dunyvaig Castle and Finlaggan Castle. The beauty of doing this with your own car is that you can take your time and take in as much history as you want before moving on. 

A road tour of Islay

However you spend your time here on Islay, it makes for the perfect addition to your Scotland road trip. Bring your own car, hire one on the mainland or pick one up on the island – the choice is yours! And remember to spend some time here with us on Islay Cottages. Our luxury self-catering accommodation offers a tranquil escape from everyday busy life. Whether you want to stay in rural Kilchoman or the busy town of Bowmore, we have somewhere to suit. Check out our special offers and book your Islay break today.