Islay is, on the whole, a relaxing, quiet and thoughtful island. It’s the perfect place to visit to get back to nature and enjoy some time to yourself. However for ten days in the summer, things perk up quite a lot. If you visit during the Fèis Ìle, then you might find us to be a little more excitable than usual! We regularly welcome guests to Islay Cottages during this festival, and without doubt they have a wonderful time. It’s one of the busier times of the year on the island and as such, we recommend early booking to ensure you can stay with us during the Islay Festival. This year, Feis Isle starts on Friday 23rd May 2025 and its last day is Saturday 31st May. Please see our booking calendar to check availability and confirm your Fèis Ìle accommodation with us.

This annual festival is an absolute highlight of our calendar. 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. Over a few days days there are events, tastings, dances and much more. It runs from the From the 23rd May until the 31st May there are loads of things to do all over the island. Join us in our shared passion for the water of life.

Festival origins

Fèis Ìle can trace its roots back to 1984 when it began as a small gathering to celebrate Islay’s rich whisky heritage. Over the years it grew and developed, evolving into a week-long extravaganza, attracting thousands of visitors to our little island.

Distilleries have taken it upon themselves to embrace the festival and really showcase their finest drams. From Lagavulin to Laphroaig, enthusiasts can sample exclusive releases and limited editions from world-renowned distilleries. It’s a great opportunity to buy a bottle to take back home as a present. It’s also a good time to take one back to your Islay Cottage for a cosy night in!

What to do at Fèis Ìle

There are plenty of diverse activities available at Fèis Ìle to keep everyone engaged. Whether you are a seasoned whisky connoisseur or a newcomer to the drink (and island) you will be made most welcome. Head on to enjoy a distillery tour and see how this magical drink is made, from mashing and fermentation to distillation and maturation. Take part in masterclasses led by experts to really get to grips with all the intricacies involved in creating these whiskies, and what makes one different from one another.

There are also musical performances, wildlife tours, art exhibitions and of course ceilidh dances to ensure all visitors are immersed in Islay’s rich heritage beyond whisky.

Do you need tickets?

It’s absolutely fine to simply come to Islay and enjoy the festival – no special tickets are required to be here. However, Fèis Ìle tickets are required for official events and these can be bought in advance. Tickets are usually released from February onwards. For special distillery events, you can expect these tickets to be released in April.

Keep your eye on the ticketing page, or follow the festival on Facebook. Tickets for events can go pretty quickly, so make sure you get yours booked sooner rather than later.

Enjoy the festival at Islay Cottages

Fèis Ìle is more than just a celebration of whisky. It’s a celebration of community, tradition, and Islay as a whole. So what better place to spend your time here than at Islay Cottages? Situated near Bowmore, our cottages provide luxurious yet homely retreats when visiting Islay. Find out more about our cottages and book your stay for Fèis Ìle 2025. Oh, and if you are feeling super organised, then Fèis Ìle will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. Taking place between Friday 22nd of May 2026 to Saturday the 30th May 2026, mark it in your diary so you don’t miss out on another stay at Islay Cottages.

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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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