Start in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is such a glorious city, it’s the perfect start to any holiday. Enjoy the culture and stay in a beautiful location like Parliament House Hotel, just down from the city centre. A road trip from Edinburgh to Islay is perfectly enjoyable, but how about upgrading? Take your road journey to the next level with a Land Rover 4 x 4 from Nomadic Scotland to make this truly an experience to remember. This way, the travelling becomes part of the holiday, not just the bits in between. 

The next decision is whether to pass through Glasgow, or go via Stirling. Timewise it’s about the same to get to Loch Lomond, so the choice is yours!

The high road

Heading north on the M9 / M80 takes you towards the beautiful ancient city of Stirling, but not before you pass a couple of giant horse heads by the side of the road. No, really. These statues are called the Kelpies and are a good place to explore for a while. The nearby Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift in the world, is nearby and offers canal boat trips. 

The drive into Stirling is beautiful from any direction – keep an eye out for both Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Stirling used to be the capital city of Stirling, and has plenty of history to discover as a result. 

The road from here to Loch Lomond takes you through glorious Stirling countryside and charming towns and villages like Kippen and Balfron. There’s loads of opportunity to find somewhere and enjoy the scenic centre of Scotland. 

The low road

From Edinburgh, take the M8 towards Glasgow. This direct route will take you through the centre of Scotland’s largest city, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and enjoy everything it has to offer. A cultural highlight is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. 

Not only is Glasgow a haven for shoppers, it’s perfect for sports lovers too. Scotland’s two biggest football teams – and biggest rivals – Celtic FC and Rangers FC have stadiums in Glasgow. 

You could spend weeks and still not see everything, but when you’re ready, head out of the city on the A82 towards the southernmost tip of Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond to Kennacraig

The next leg of your journey takes about 2 hours, if you put your foot down. But we’re chilled and enjoying the ride, so who knows how long it will take in real life?! 

We’re going to travel up the western edge of the loch, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the gorgeous Ben Lomond. We’ll pass close to the Butter Bridge, a charming old stone bridge which makes for perfect photos to remember your journey by. The scenery around here is mindblowing – every turn reveals something extraordinary. An iconic attraction on the way is Inveraray Castle with its stunning gardens. 

Kennacraig to Islay

From the ferry port at Kennacraig, it’s an enjoyable ride over the waters to Islay. Perhaps, by now, you will be keen to spend some time under a roof again. So book a few nights in Islay Cottages and enjoy our luxurious accommodation. Find out more about all our cottages and Kilchoman House here. Keep your Land Rover handy though because Islay is an island that demands to be explored. And the good news about driving holidays to Islay? You can do this adventure all over again, just in reverse, and see all the bits you missed on the way over!

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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. 

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