Local Hogmanay celebrations on Islay

Hogmanay is a time when residents can get together and wish each other all the best for the new year. Although our celebrations are small, they are welcoming and great fun. People usually meet by the pier in Bowmore, and here we’ll often see some fireworks. On a clear night with the stars shining above us, this is a remarkable experience and one visitors should seek out. 

There is also usually a ceilidh underway nearby – some dancing might even spontaneously appear on the street! 

In Scotland, residents welcome ‘first footers’. This is an ancient tradition where the first person to enter your home in the new year brings good luck and can bring gifts such as shortbread or whisky. Perhaps if you make some friends on the night, you might be lucky enough to be someone’s first footer!

You may also see some bonfires dotted around the island. This is a tradition on Islay and people tend to gather around them, enjoying the heat and each other’s company. A verse of Auld Lang Syne might even be sung, so make sure you know the words!  

Hire Islay Cottages for Hogmanay

If you are looking to enjoy a large celebration with friends and family on Hogmanay, then consider hiring our cottages on the stunning Scottish island of Islay. Whether it’s a small or large group, we can accommodate and give you the best start to a new year imaginable. 

Our largest building is Kilchoman House. This Georgian building was built in 1825 and sleeps up to 12 people. There’s plenty of room for celebrations, including a large southwest-facing sitting room with views out to Creag Mhor. 

There’s also our  Kilchoman cottages available to hire. Each one of our 4 cottages sleep up to four people, with Fieldgate Cottage also able to sleep 6. In total, up to 34 people can sleep between the house and the cottages. Find out more about group accommodation on Islay here. 

Hogmanay on Islay

However you choose to spend Hogmanay on Islay, we hope you have a magnificent time. Remember to book your break with us well in advance. From large gatherings in Kilchoman House and cottages, just remember that Hogmanay is not just about the party, but about the people you are with. Sláinte!

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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 the weather is getting chilly now, when we all get together to celebrate, Christmastime is truly warm and cosy.

Believe it or not, Christmas is a relatively new celebration for the Scots. It was banned for many years, and it only became an official public holiday in 1958. Before then, Hogmanay (New Year) was our main winter festival, and it’s still hugely popular today. However, we do now welcome Christmas with open arms. And in true Scots style, a good drink is a must to celebrate Christmas with friends and family!

Things to do on Islay this Christmas

There’s always plenty happening on Islay over the festive period. If you’re staying with us this December, look out for local carol services, live music and festive fairs. Not forgetting some fabulous Hogmanay celebrations on New Year’s Eve.

Festive events on the Isle of Islay 2024

Take a look at these fabulous festive events to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Islay distilleries festive shopping

Many of the local distilleries on Islay open for shopping events in the run-up to Christmas, with festive treats and special offers. Check with your favourite distillery to see if they are holding any special events or markets. Please also check directly with the distilleries for their winter opening times over the festive season. The Christmas break can be a busy time for distilleries, so if you are keen to go on a tour of your favourite, it’s best to book in advance. Find out more here.

Other Christmas fairs and events

In addition to the whisky distilleries, Smaller stores and community groups hold Christmas events. These can help promote local businesses or raise money for charity. For example, the Islay High School Christmas fayre is on the 14th December, 10 am – 2 pm. Keep an eye on local listings during your stay to find out more.

Join us at Christmas

On Christmas Day itself, our holiday cottages are the perfect place to get together and enjoy a traditional Scottish Christmas. And why not walk off your Christmas meal with a crisp refreshing stroll on the sandy beaches? Followed swiftly, of course, by a warm dram beside the roaring log fire back at your cottage.

Islay Winter Breaks

To find out more about spending a Scottish Christmas on Islay, take a look at our great Winter Breaks offer or call .

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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. 

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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.

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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. Whether it’s a landmark age, a retirement, anniversary or any other time for getting family and friends together, Islay Cottages offers the perfect location to make it a moment to remember. Celebration holidays in Scotland offer plenty for everyone to enjoy, and here on Islay we have beaches, distilleries, and a chance to escape city life. 

Celebrate at Islay

If you have an important anniversary or celebration coming up, then finding the perfect place to host it is crucial. Here at Islay Cottages, we can offer plenty of accommodation to bring all your loved ones together to enjoy the beauty and attractions of Islay together. 

Our accommodation offerings mean that celebrations on Islay can last over a weekend or even longer. Take advantage of everything the island has to offer, without needing to choose one over the other.

For example, why not gather everyone together for a personalised tour around one of the island’s distilleries? Lagavulin is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, and offers a range of tours. These include an exclusive distillery experience where you get to hand-fill a 20cl bottle of a single cask whisky. What a perfect memento for a perfect celebration!

If you are looking for some delicous food during your stay, then Peatzeria should be top of your list. Run by the same friendly folk who run Islay Cottages, Peatzeria offers local and seasonal food like you may not have experienced before. Situated in Bowmore, Peatzeria offers delights such as an Islay lobster pizza. It’s not to be missed for that special celebration dinner!

Stay at Islay Cottages for a special celebration

Our first-class self-catering accommodation on Islay consists of Kilchoman House (sleeps 12) and Kilchoman Cottages (sleeping a total of 11 over 5 cottages) in Kilchoman.

Wi-Fi facilities are provided throughout, as well as fresh linen, TV and more. The grounds of Kilmochan House offer plenty of outdoors space to meet up and enjoy the fresh air of Islay. 

So if you are looking for a unique getaway for a group of people to enjoy celebration holidays in Scotland, consider joining us at Islay Cottages. The island has plenty to do for everyone, and our cottages make for a perfect home-from-home all year round.

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Tucked away in the heart of this Scottish island, Islay Cottages offers the perfect venue for an elopement wedding. On a sandy beach, surrounded by beautiful hills or inside our beautiful house, your wedding can be exactly how you have dreamed it. Hold hands and say ‘I Do’ on the Isle of Islay under your own terms. 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.

Kilchoman House and Islay Cottages

Your elopement wedding can be a small affair with just you two, or a bit larger with a few close friends and family. At Islay Cottages, your dream elopement wedding is not only about the ceremony but also about the perfect wedding accommodation. Looking to bring some close friends and family? We’ve got you covered with Kilchoman House which sleeps up to 12 people. We also have five cottages, which stand just above it. Lossit Cottage, Machir Cottage, Saligo Cottage and Sanaig Cottage all sleep 4 guests each. Each one makes the perfect hideaway for the special couple. Fieldgate Cottage can accommodate a further 6 people. Our accommodations provide a comfortable and charming retreat for you to make your escape here the most perfect, magical and special time of your life. The accommodation seamlessly blends modern amenities with the warmth of traditional Scottish hospitality.

Gorgeous gardens and grounds

Our venue extends beyond the cottages, with extensive grounds that open up possibilities for a unique and personalised celebration. The grounds provide a blank canvas for you to create the wedding of your dreams. It can be as simple as you like with no extras, just the two of you expressing your love for one another. Or, it could incorporate aspects of your personality to add to the occassion. It’s up to you. What you will have, however, is sweeping views that add a touch of magic to your big day.

Seaside Setting

Machir Beach is just a stone’s throw away from our cottages. It offers a serene and romantic setting for a romantic beachside ceremony and beautiful photographs to show everyone back home. The sound of the waves, the sea breeze and the golden sands create an idyllic backdrop for your elopement wedding in Scotland to unfold.

Exclusive Use Accommodation

Choosing Islay Cottages as your elopement wedding accommodation means you have the entire property exclusively for your celebration. If you are having a few guests, this means everyone can stay together in the house, making it a great opportunity for mingling and meeting. You will be surrounded only by the people who matter most to you.

If you’ve always dreamed of a wedding in a place where you can elope to and be surrounded by wilderness and embraced by romance, Islay Cottages is the perfect choice. Let the beauty of Islay and the cosiness of our Islay wedding accommodation make your big day extra special. Bring your elopement wedding in Scotland to Islay. You can check availability and prices online or get in touch to talk about your ideal day with us.

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