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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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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Bowmore Distillery is the oldest licenced whisky distillery on Islay. It has been producing whisky here since at least 1779 and it houses the No. 1 Vaults, one of the oldest Scotch maturation warehouses in the world. With such a long and rich history, this is a fascinating place to visit.

At Bowmore, you can take a distillery tour and learn all about the whisky-making process and Bowmore’s heritage. You can also visit the Bowmore Whisky Tasting Bar. This is a welcoming bar with spectacular views across Lochindaal. Where experts are on hand to help you find your perfect dram.

Please note that currently, experiences must be booked in advance. See Bowmore Experiences for the latest details.

Fèis Ìle

If you visit during the Fèis Ìle whisky festival (usually in the last week of May), Bowmore Distillery and the other distilleries on Islay welcome visitors for a programme of whisky tasting experiences, tours and talks. This is a magical experience for all whisky lovers!

Get in touch

If you need any help or advice when booking your accommodation, please get in touch with our friendly team. And be sure to check our latest special offers for the best deal.

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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.

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Are you looking for romantic breaks in Scotland? Then why not make an adventure of it and visit the stunning Scottish island of Islay? Islay is a perfect romantic getaway, with scenery and views to set any heart fluttering! With Valentines Day just around the corner, this could be the perfect gift for your loved one to get those sparks flying!

Walk hand in hand along our golden sandy beaches

If you enjoy a romantic stroll, then do it in style. With a huge choice of beautiful beaches to choose from you are spoilt for choice. From Machir Bay with its huge expanse of sand, Sanaigmore with its protected cove and Kilnaughton Bay, where in the right conditions the sand will ‘sing’ to you. Together, arm in arm, you can also watch the seals from Kilinallan and sing to them! The perfect setting for romance to blossom.

A romantic tipple for two

No break to Islay would be complete without a visit to one of our famous Islay whisky distilleries. Like our beaches, there are plenty to choose from! Some of the strongest malt whiskys come from Islay, which depending on your palette, you will love or not! If you want to treat your other half to something special, you can find out more about Distillery Tours on Islay.

You want a “Pizza” my heart?

If you fancy some delicious dining for two then head along to Islay’s very popular local restaurant! Peatzeria is a pizzeria (as you may have figured by the name) that offers a vast selection of delicious pizzas as well as a variety of other dishes. Furthermore, it boasts, stunning and romantic views over Lochindaal, where you and your loved one can share a ‘Lady and the Tramp’ moment over a bowl of pasta!

Snuggle up in each other’s arms…

Why not snuggle up by a roaring fire? Here at Islay Cottages, we have 5 cosy cottages and a stunning, large Georgian House at Kilchoman, in a rural setting with views of the sea. We also have an additional cottage in Bowmore which backs onto Lochindaal and boasts beautiful views. What is more, we have a fabulous romantic offer.  If you book with us you will receive a box of chocolates and a bottle of champagne upon your arrival! All you need to do is light the fire and indulge yourselves!

Fall in love all over again…

If this has got sparks flying and you would like to come and stay with us then please get in touch. Be it romantic Scottish short breaks, weekend getaways or longer stays, we have it covered. And all with a sprinkling of romance!

You can call us on 01496 850 32 or you can book online. For online, you can view our tariffs and availability from the booking bar or the availability section in the main navigation. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing love bloom!

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The Islay Whisky Sour Cocktail

Ingredients: 2 parts Islay Whisky, half an ounce of sugar syrup, half an ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 egg white, 1 dash of Bitters crushed ice. Complete with a cherry and orange slice.

Here, the trick to creating the perfect Whisky Sour is to mix the sugar and lemon evenly. Shake well! If you’re not too keen on egg-whites, then this is merely an optional ingredient. Now, watch the video below to see how it is done…

The Rob Roy Whisky Cocktail

Ingredients: 2 ounces of Islay Whisky, 3 quarter ounces of Sweet Vermouth and 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters and serve over ice. Finish the cocktail with a cherry garnish or alternatively, a lemon twist.

In fact, this cocktail, unlike its name suggests, was actually created at the Waldolf Astoria in Manhattan. The barman decided to mark the celebration of the opening premiere of the Rob Roy operetta in 1984 with his creation, and as such the cocktail grew in popularity very quickly.

Today the Rob Roy continues to thrive as a popular choice of drink – so why not try it with an Islay Whisky twist? Watch this video guide on how to make this cocktail…

The Suburban Whisky Cocktail

Ingredients: 3 parts Islay Whisky, 1 part Dark Rum, 1 part Port Red, 1 dash Orange Bitters, 1 dash Angostura Bitters served over ice cubes.

This classic cocktail packs a real punch. Not for the weak of stomach, this cocktail is perfect for “thrill-seekers” looking for a concoction that delivers a triple whammy of a bitter kick, soothing smoothness and a hint of sweetness. If this has tickled your fancy, watch the video below and get making…

Old Fashioned 

Ingredients: 4 dashes of Angostura Bitters, 50ml of Islay Whisky, 1 teaspoon of caster sugar, cubed ice and 1 orange.

This Old Fashioned cocktail is better known as the chosen drink of Mad Men leading character, Don Draper. Did you know that it is estimated this cocktail recipe goes back as far as 1806 and is usually made with rye whisky? Why not swap it out for Islay Whisky and be on your way to sweet peaty cocktail heaven. The video below takes you through step by step on how to makes this delightful cocktail…

The Famous ‘Hot Toddy’

Ingredients: 3/4 Cloves, 2 Star Anise, half snap of a cinnamon stick, 2 teaspoons of honey, half a thumb of ginger, orange zest, grapefruit zest, 500mls boiling water, 50mls of your chosen Islay whisky per glass.

This aromatic, heartwarming, head zinging recipe is perfect for that cold winters day. Snuggle up on your sofa by the fire and sip away. Or fill up your thermos flask and enjoy it in the vast outdoors on a chilly winters day. See the video below for full instructions…

Islay Whisky with Islay Cottages

Is your mouth watering at the thought of these wonderful smoky cocktails? Why not book your very own Islay Whisky break with Islay cottages! You can explore the vast choice of distilleries and enjoy an array of whisky tours.  Then come back to your cosy cottage and try out making some cocktails with your days finds! With plenty of fantastic special offers to choose from, there’s no reason not to book your very own Islay Whisky adventure today! Book online here.

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