The history of an award-winning distillery

Ardbeg Distillery can trace its roots back to 1815 when John Macdougall started brewing and selling his whisky. After buyouts, closures and re-openings, fast forward to 1998 and Ardbeg is voted Distillery of the Year. This is the first of many awards. One of the biggest awards came when Ardbeg Ten Years Old won World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray’s 2008 Whisky Bible. Today, whisky from the Ardbeg distillery is drunk all over the world. Some claim it to be the best there is! 

Visiting the distillery

Visitors staying at Islay Cottages often want to take an insider glimpse into how whisky is made at Ardbeg Distillery. There are tours aplenty for you to choose from. For a basic yet insightful tour – perfect for those just learning about whisky – then try the Quintessential Ardbeg Tour. Learn all about milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation. 

If you are looking for something a bit more in-depth focussed on the whisky rather than the making of it, then consider the Stillhouse and Warehouse 3 Tasting tour. Here you’ll be able to taste whiskies straight form the cask. You’ll also have an expert on hand to help you detect all the subtle flavours. 

For the ultimate experience, consider an evening spent in Ardbeg an evening well spent! For a detailed tour and rare tasting along with a small group of friends and family, An Evening Behind Closed Doors is for you. 

Take a look at this distillery’s range of tours, which change depending on the season. And if you get hungry, you can also choose from a selection of food and (non-alcoholic) drink at the distillery too.

Delicious drams

Our cottages make the perfect place to sit and have a dram of Ardbeg whisky. Whether cosied in by a fire in our cottages, or outside enjoying the views form the garden at Kilchoman House, a fine sip of whisky can make everything just right. So what should you choose?

The Ardbeg Ten Year Old is a drink enjoyed everywhere by people who love a peaty flavour. It has a magnificent depth of flavour, and is something to enjoy with others. This popular whisky takes on a new life when a drop of water is added too. The perfect end to any day.

For something a bit more adventurous, try the Ardbeg Wee Beastie. Described as the rawest, smokiest Ardbeg ever, this is a drink to fine tune your senses. 

Take a look at the wide range of Ardbeg whiskies available here. 

Stay with us on Islay

So enjoy the finest whisky in luxurious accommodation on Islay. Our cottages make for the perfect setting for a relaxing stay on the island, and with a glass of whisky in hand, it couldn’t be more Scottish. Take a look at our special offers and start planning your Scottish break on Islay with a visit to the Ardbeg distillery. 

The post Visiting Ardbeg Distillery on Islay appeared first on Islay Cottages.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Jura Music Festival 2024 will take place from 27th to 20th September. This spectacular music festival is hosted on our neighbouring isle of Jura. It’s easy to get there from our holiday cottages on Islay. Simply make your way to Port Askaig and hop on the ferry to Feolin, Jura. The crossing between our two islands takes just 10 minutes and you can view the timetable here. We recommend buying your ferry tickets in advance during this busy time.

What’s happening at this year’s event?

This is a very special year for the Jura Music Festical. Its celebrating its 30th anniversary with fantastic lineup of bands and singers, meaning the island will be dancing like never before. Visitors can enjoy a range of free and ticketed music events, workshops and ceilidhs all feature on the action-packed programme. You can buy tickets here.

Friday

The festival kicks off on Friday 27th September with a free local concert in the village hall with some of Jura’s most talented performers. During the day, the Saltire street band will be performing.

Saturday

On Saturday, the entertainment continues with workshops from groups such as the Edinburgh Samba School. There will be entertainment on the streets and in the pubs, and plenty of opportunities to get your toes tapping on the island. In the evening, there will be a concert and ceilidh in the village hall, followed by a big marquee event until late.

Sunday

On the final day of the festival, there will be a parade through the village with the Islay and Jura Pipe and Drum band, and more musical performances and family fun. There is also an open mic afternoon and raffle draw in the Marquee, which is free to attend. The festival closes in the marquee that night, with an after party from Armen van Muiren.

So, come along with your dancing shoes and enjoy the fabulous ceilidhs and other musical events on offer! For the full line up, tickets and timings, please check out the programme here.

Staying at Islay Cottages

If this is music to your ears and you are looking for accommodation, then check out our holiday cottages on Islay. Our quaint and cosy Kilchoman Cottages and Georgian Kilchoman House are only a 30-minute drive from the ferry crossing to Jura at Port Askaig. So, if you are planning to visit Jura Music Festival, we would be delighted to accommodate you. Book online or contact us here for more information.

The post The Jura Music Festival 2024 appeared first on Islay Cottages.

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 read on and find out what eerie friends live alongside us …

Kildalton Castle and its employee

Kildalton Castle near Port Ellen (also famous for another haunting) has its very own resident ghost. The story goes that many years ago there was an employee with a ‘very distinct appearance’ who worked for the then laird. Often he would need to leave the island. Despite his absence, people still saw him wandering around the large castle building. Then one day, long after this man was dead and buried, two women in Craigmore Forest saw a figure walking towards them.

Important to note is that Craigmore Forest was once the property of the Laird. Significantly, the figure that approached, was clothed in the fashion of a bygone era. He was also accompanied by a terrier dog. As he and his dog passed the ladies, to their astonishment, there was no sound. They then simply disappeared into the bushes. Upon returning home, one of the women described this apparition to their mother, who had once worked for the laird. At once she recognised the description of this man. He was the long-dead factor who had once been employed by the old laird.

Port Ellen haunting

Next, is the haunting in Port Ellen. Now a country hotel, this building was once a distillery. When the building was still in use as a distillery in the nineteenth century, a thirsty burglar paid a visit. Indeed, being surrounded by barrels of fine malt whisky, he had a tipple or two or three or four. As a result, not being sharp with sobriety, he made for the closest exit. Unfortunately, this was a second-floor window! He did not survive the fall and is said to still haunt the building to this day. From time to time he can be seen at the spot where he fell surprising any visitors in his path. The window has since been bricked over.

Bowmore’s headless horseman

Upon his return home one stormy night in Bowmore, crofter Lachlan Ban saw something that spooked him. A headless horseman, galloped away from his house leaving him frozen in fear. As he approached the front of his house, the door was ajar. When he stepped inside the fire had blown out and there stood a bottle of Bowmore whisky and an empty dram. Of course there then came an explanation to this paranormal experience. Ban’s brother had passed that Friday night. Furthermore, he stated that the wind had blown the front door open and blown out the fire.

Additionally, he mentioned he had brought the whisky to share with him and could wait no longer. So he had a quick dram himself before leaving. In the light of the terrible weather, he had galloped off with his cloak pulled tight over his head. Nevertheless, this story still haunts the island. To this day, true islanders never offer an opened bottle of whisky to their guests in fear of attracting the headless horseman. Maybe, something to do with the fact that Ban was too embarrassed to tell real the story!

Scottish Halloween Traditions

Neep lanterns

These days, pumpkins used to create spooky lanterns at this time of year. But in Scotland, it was normal to use a turnip. Much the same as the pumpkin, these were carved with scary faces and hollowed out so a candle could be lit inside to scare away evil spirits. Most people use pumpkins now and they are much easier to carve! Why not try carving a turnip this year? It could make a great decoration for telling your Scottish ghost stories!

Guising

In Scotland we don’t have Trick or Treating. However, we do still dress up in scary costumes. We call this ‘Guising’. And the idea behind it is so the children can hide amongst any wandering evil spirits and be safe. It’s also to scare away evil spirits before they can do any damage. But traditionally, to make sure they did the job, the costumes were a lot more creepy than the costumes children wear today.

Apple Dookin’

The Scottish name for apple bobbing. And a firm favourite at parties. Without using your hands, you need to grab an apple that is ‘bobbing’ in a barrel or bowl of water.

Nut burning

If you want to find out if you and your partner will have a happy life together, try a spot of nut-burning. Popular with newly engaged couples, you put a nut in a fire. If it burns quietly, it would be a happy union. If it hisses and cracks, maybe not such a happy union!

Kale pulling

Another tradition that went hand in hand with your future with your partner! People would pull kale stalks after dark. The length, shape and amount of soil around the root represent your future lover. The length and shape had to do with their figure and the amount of soil represented wealth.

Treacle Scones

Another game played around Halloween. The objective was to take a bite out of a scone filled with treacle without using your hands. Very messy but sounds like it could be fun!

Come and visit this spooktacular island!

So why not come along to Islay and see it for yourself. Maybe you will see a ghost or two while you are here! You could join in some of the Halloween traditions and tell Scottish ghost stories throughout the evening. Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit this stunning island. If you are looking for somewhere to stay then get in touch with us here at Islay Cottages today.

The post Not a Whisky Spirit! Ghost stories from Islay Scotland appeared first on Islay Cottages.