Are you planning a trip to Islay? If so, then make sure you don’t miss out on some of the beautiful Islay villages and towns here on the Island. There are little hamlets, villages and towns dotted all over Islay, and they are all within easy reach of each other by car. We’ve put together some of our favourite places to visit – and what to do when you get there!

Port Charlotte

This is regarded by many as “the most beautiful village” on the island. It was founded by the Member of Parliament and Laird of Islay, Walter Frederick Campbell in 1828. This charming little place was named after Campbell’s mother, Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury. A slightly larger village on the island, it was built to house the workers of the Lochindaal Distillery, which opened in 1829. You may have heard this distillery referred to as the Port Charlotte Distillery, or Rhinns Distillery. And sadly, this was one distillery not to last… it closed in 1929, just over 100 years from its opening. But its buildings still remain and some are now in use by a Youth Hostel and the Islay Natural History Trust.

Port Charlotte is where you will find the Museum of Islay Life, documenting life on the island over the past 12,000 years. Exhibits include reconstructions from archaeological excavations of prehistoric sites on the island. It’s a fascinating look at how people used to live here on Islay. 

Bruichladdich

Just north of Port Charlotte is the village of Bruichladdich, with a distillery at its heart. Built in 1881, by brothers Robert William and John Gourlay Harvey, Bruichladdich was specifically designed to produce the purest unpeated spirit possible. But the distillery has been opened and closed variously throughout the years. In more recent years it has been taken over by the drinks giant Remy Cointreau, and today it is a successful business. It is a place you can visit on your trip to taste and buy some delicious drinks. Tours are available when possible, but it is wise to get in touch beforehand to check they are running. 

And of course, Bruichladdich Distillery bought the rest of the old Lochindaal Distillery buildings and have created a new whisky distillery and gin distillery. As such they have become a very popular whisky brand from Isaly… and gin! The Botanist is now one of Scotland’s most popular gins. Here you can enjoy super tours, cocktail making and tasting sessions, and a wonderful shop.

Portnahaven Village

These are two separate villages close together that share many things – including a church! Each village has its own entrance (you can choose which side to enter from yourself!). 

Portnahaven has a small sheltered harbour which is often home to grey seals basking in the island sun. Along the seaside, you’ll enjoy whitewashed houses looking out over the water. It was built during the 19th century, as a fishing and crofting villager and offers a slice of history for explorers. So, step back in time and walk amongst the quaint buildings whilst listening to the waves lapping on the rocks. Or, take to the water’s edge, and stunning enjoy views of the opposite bay of Orsay Island. And here you will also find the famous Rhinns of Islay lighthouse, which was built in 1825. Still today the lantern can be seen some 40 kilometres away at sea. This is a great spot for a walk and a picnic on the rocks, whilst spotting for seals.

Port Wemyss

And whilst you are down this way, pop along next door to the lovely Port Wemys, built in 1832. Again, this village was built to encourage fishing and take people away from farming the lands. And as a fishing village, the catch would be cured and traded in Ireland. As such, the village has strong ties with the Irish and enjoys a Celtic shop.

As well as plenty of history, in Port Wemyss you will find a coastal path that is great to stroll along; it’s not a long path, but over its course, you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins out at sea. With these villages being so close, in past times, they shared one church, but with separate doors for the people of each village to enter.

Kilchoman

Home of Islay Cottages, Kilchoman is an area of Islay that is one of the most ancient on the islands. Although the current church was built in 1827, an older medieval church existed on the site before then. Nearby is our wonderful Machir Bay which has both a rocky area and sandy beach. It’s also the site of many shipwrecks!

Nearby, Kilchoman Distillery produces its delicious single malt whisky. It’s a great trip out, especially if you are staying with us at Kilchoman House. Set in 37 acres and over 200 years old, it’s a great place to kick back with a dram and enjoy the serenity island life can offer.

Ardnave

Ardnave Point is a wonderful area to visit if you enjoy history. It is here in the sandy grasslands of the Ardnave peninsula that evidence of intermittent human activity spanning some seven thousand years from Mesolithic times to the Early Historic period has been found. Some of the objects found here, including a hearth, are on display in Islay Museum.

There is some wonderful walking along this part of Islay’s coast, with plenty of wildlife to be spotted. Keep your eye out for mysterious-looking pools, which were once used to keep lobsters fresh for sale!

Bowmore 

The capital of Islay is Bowmore, and it is very likely that you will visit this town at some point during your stay. There are around 1,000 people who stay here, and so the town has all the facilities and amenities that you could need. 

One particularly pleasant thing to do here is to visit the Bowmore Round Church. They say it is round so there are no corners for the devil to hide in! It’s beautifully decorated and is certainly worth a visit. And here you will also find Bowmore distillery and a lovely harbour to explore. Bowmore is one of the main villages on the island of Islay, and as such, here you will find shops, a petrol station, eco-car chargers, and amenities.

And don’t forget to also pay a visit to Peatzeria, our very own restaurant and home to delicious Italian food! Peatzeria is one of the most popular restaurants on Islay, and as such is rated the best Islay restaurant on TripAdvisor.

Wherever you visit on Islay, from small hamlets to larger towns, you are sure to enjoy the peace and tranquillity our beautiful island can offer. Islay villages offer the chance to get away from it all and dream of what life could be like living on an island like Islay. Book a stay with us today.

The post Beautiful Islay villages and towns to visit appeared first on Islay Cottages.

The history of Islay goes back to when hunter-gatherers settled here many thousands of years ago. With the discovery of Mesolithic and Ice Age artefacts in the area, researchers have come to the conclusion that Islay was occupied from around 10,000 BC.

You can see many of these ancient tools and other items at the Islay Museum in Port Charlotte. And you can visit many prehistoric sites on the island, including ceremonial standing stones, burial cairns and forts.

Medieval Islay

During medieval times, ordinary people on the island were farmers, who bred livestock and produced oats and barley in the rich and fertile land.

From the 6th century, Islay was ruled by a Gaelic overkingdom named Dál Riata. Then in the 9th century, Norse Vikings took control. By the 12th century, Scotland started to reclaim its islands. Helped by a warrior named Somerled, who seized them in 1156 and founded a dynasty that became the ‘Lords of the Isles’. Islay was under full Scottish rule by 1493.

Islay changed dramatically throughout the medieval period, as different cultures and influences shaped its landscape. There are several Medieval ruins that remain on the island, including Kilchoman Church and Finlaggan, the powerbase of the Lords of the Isles.

British Era and World Wars

Islay was under Scottish rule until 1707, when the Scottish and English thrones merged to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Scottish and the British fought many battles over the leadership of Scotland. Then later in the 20th century, both countries joined forces to defeat their shared enemies in World Wars One and Two.

You can visit more historic sites on Islay from this period. And view many items from Islay’s history, including artefacts from the two world wars, at Islay Museum.

Discovering Islay’s History Today

For a relatively small island, Islay is full of history and culture. Why not come and visit one of our cottages for a taste of Islay life? And truly take in the ambience of an island with many tales to tell.

The post A Brief History of Islay appeared first on Islay Cottages.

You spend that last week before your holidays tying up all your tasks. Then you start to pack the car, have those niggles with your travelling partner(s)- ‘did I switch the iron off, have you left food for the cat, you did lock the back door, didn’t you?….’ and you are finally on your way to the ferry. As you leave the clunk of the ferry ramp behind, the stunning Hebridean island of Islay unfolds before your eyes and all those worries start to fade away as you breathe in the fresh sea air. So the only thing that potentially needing thinking about is…’what shall we see and do on our holiday?’ Well, you need not worry as we have done the leg work for you and created your very own, bespoke top 5 things to do on Islay.

Islay Sea Adventures

Step on board a 38ft Revenge Charter with Islay Sea Adventures at the marina of Port Ellen and soak up the view of Islay and its marine life. For those fishers amongst you can book fishing trips and those with a more daring disposition you can arrange to go diving and view some of the 97 wrecks off the coast off Islay.

Whisky Distillery Tours

No trip to Islay would be complete without visiting at least one of their eight prestigious whisky distilleries. This unique island produces some of the strongest flavoured Single Malt Whiskies in Scotland.

The Museum Of Islay Life

This quaint little church house in Port Charlotte many items reflecting the history of Islay with around 2,000 objects from a variety of subjects. The Museum of Islay Life exhibits items from Mesolithic times to recent including artefacts found from archaeological investigations and rooms displaying how the inside of a croft would have once looked.

Islay Beaches

You come to an island and you expect a beach or at least the sea! The Islay coastline spans 130 miles and hosts some the worlds most scenic beaches. Here you can also observe some of Islay’s wildlife including seals, and many species of bird. For some wild swimming you can choose from the following safest beaches to take a dip if you dare!: Laggan Bay, Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal.

The Isle of Jura

If you fancy a trip across the water it is a skip, hop and a jump where you can visit the equally stunning Isle of Jura, Islay’s neighbouring island. Simply board the ferry for a 15 minute crossing that separates the two islands and prepare to be wowed! People on this island are outnumbered by deer, with only 180 of the two-legged variety and 5,000 of the four-legged!

Whatever you choose to do, rest assured that here at Islay Cottages you can return to the most relaxing and cosy accommodation in one of our cottages or our stunning Georgian Kilchoman house. You will not want to leave! Find more great things to do during your stay with our Islay Guide.

The post Top 5 Things to do on Islay appeared first on Islay Cottages.

Dying to put pen to paper and churn out that next chapter of your debut novel? Perhaps you’ve simply had enough of your final year university dissertation? A writer’s retreat can work absolutely wonders … and Islay Cottages is the destination for you!

A Writer’s Retreat Surrounded by Nature

Whatever the block is to your creativity, the Queen of the Hebrides, Islay is certain to help clear your mind. Benefit from a stroll across one of Islay’s twenty unspoilt beaches and meditate on the tranquillity that the remote island brings.

Enjoy one of Islay’s many nature trails. Or, if you’re looking to give your mind a complete break, why not hop onto one of Islay Sea Adventures for a wildlife spotting excursion! Spot seals and porpoises in their natural habitat whilst scaling the Islay coastline. If you’re in luck, you may just spot some basking sharks too!

Look to Islay’s sky to spot some of the rarest and most majestic birds in the world. Islay is home to over 100 species of bird including eagles, hawks, falcons, ospreys and buzzards.

Immerse Yourself in Local Culture

Islay is also home to a rich culture and history. A quick visit to the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte will be a testament to that. Be inspired for writing the next chapter of your book with the Islay community and take the time to explore the eight active whisky distilleries on the island. Dip your toes into whisky tasting with a tour around Kilchoman Distillery, conveniently located a stone’s throw away from our lovely self-catering cottages.

Escape to Islay and beat Writer’s Block

An escape to tranquillity and serenity can only be a good thing for writer’s block. Why not kick back and relax at Islay Cottages? We’re sure your writer’s retreat will be nothing but soothing. Book now and get planning your trip to the Outer Hebrides!

The post Creative Retreats for Writer’s Block appeared first on Islay Cottages.