Local Transport
Car Hire
Bike Hire
Please telephone Port Charlotte Bike Hire on +44 (0) 1496 850488
Local Bus Timetable
Taxis
Petrol
Petrol is available from the Spar shop/ post office on Main Street in Port Charlotte and in Bridgend, Port Ellen, Bowmore and Port Askaig.
Airport Numbers
Terminal: 01496 302 022
Information Desk: 01496 302 361
Flybe: 0871 700 0535
CalMac Enquiries and Reservations
0800 066 5000
Local Information
Islay Tourist Information
Information, leaflets, books and maps
The Square
Bowmore
Isle of Islay
PA43 7JP
08707 200617
Email: bowmore@visitscotland.com
Islay Info
“The ultimate online guide”
Extensive information on the island and its history with details of activities and places to visit. Includes details on a number of local walks and cycle routes.
www.islayinfo.com
Islay and Jura
Visitor information for Islay and Jura
www.islayjura.com
Whisky
Information on Islay’s most famous export
www.islaywhiskysociety.com
Ileach
Local newspaper, published fortnightly
www.ileach.co.uk
Armin’s Little Islay Guide
Downloadable guide written by Islay blogger
www.islayblog.com/2011entries/20110531-islay-guide-v5.shtml
Things to do
Boat Trips
Islay Sea Safari
www.islayseasafari.co.uk
Islay Sea Adventures
islay-sea-adventures.co.uk
Wild Islay Birding
Wildlife & birdwatching on the Queen of the Hebrides. Are you interested in nature and wildlife, would you like to get out around Islay with an experienced guide?
Contact Gary and get out and about on the Queen of the Hebrides to see her amazing natural wonders.
T: 01496 840725 / 07779 011988
Email: info@wildislaybirding.co.uk
www.wildislaybirding.co.uk
Sea Kayaking
Machrie Golf Links
Islay’s highly-rated golf course
www.machrie.net
Top 100 Golf Courses review
McTaggart Leisure Centre
4x25m Pool, gym, sauna
School Street
Bowmore
Isle of Islay
United Kingdom
PA43 7JS
www.mactaggartleisurecentre.co.uk/
Riding
Islay Pony Trekking
Sanaigmore Farm
www.islayponytrekking.co.uk/
Places to Visit
American Monument
Memorial to the hundreds of American servicemen who were killed when two troop ships were lost off Islay in 1918.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/islay/americanmonument
Finlaggan
Centre of the medieval Lords of the Isles
www.finlaggan.com
Islay Natural History Trust
Website includes information on local geology and birdwatching sites
The trust runs a field centre in Port Charlotte with displays and exhibitions of Islay’s wildlife
www.islaynaturalhistory.org
Islay Square, Bridgend
Various craft shops plus the community garden
Islay Woollen Mill Co Ltd, Bridgend
Established 1883, with 2 working Victorian looms
01496-810563
www.islaywoollenmill.co.uk/
Kildalton Cross and Old Parish Church
Early Christian carved wheel-cross, medieval stone effigy of warrior, ruined medieval chapel.
Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve
Run by the RSPB, the reserve’s Visitor Centre occupies the north-west quadrant of the island.
01496 850505
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochgruinart
Museum of Islay Life,Port Charlotte
Open daily, Easter-October, Sunday afternoons and by appointment. Award-winning displays of archaeology and island life. Library and archive, including photographs.
01496 850358
www.islaymuseum.org
Festivals and Events
Walk Islay
The Islay Festival – Feis Ile
The Islay Festival of Malt and Music starts the last weekend of May each year and lasts for one week
www.islayfestival.com
Islay Jazz Festival
Annual event held in September
www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk
Cantilena Festival
Classical Music on Islay
www.cantilenafestival.co.uk
Islay Book Festival
Held annually in September
www.islaybookfestival.co.uk
Islay Half Marathon
Held annually in early August
www.islayhalfmarathon.co.uk
Islay Beach Rugby Tournament
Eat Sand!
www.islayrugby.scot/islay-beach-rugby/
Beaches
Islay’s 130 miles of coastline include many beautiful sand and shingle beaches www.islayinfo.com/beaches_on_islay.html
Eating and Drinking
Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte Hotel
www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk
Lochindaal Hotel
www.lochindaalhotel.co.uk
Yan’s Kitchen
www.yanskitchen.co.uk
Port Mor Bistro
www.islandofislay.co.uk/cafe.php
Portnahaven
An Tigh Seinnse
Bridgend
Bridgend Hotel
www.bridgend-hotel.com
Bowmore
Bowmore Hotel
The Cottage Restaurant
The Harbour Inn
Lochside Hotel
Taj Mahal
Golden Dragon
Peatzeria
www.peatzeria.com
Food Shopping
Debbies, Bruichladdich
www.welcometogreatcoffee.co.uk
Spar, Bridgend
Bowmore Co-op
Jeans fish Van
The Nippy Chippy Van
Distilleries
01496 302244
www.ardbeg.com
Bowmore
01496 810671
www.bowmore.com
Bruichladdich
01496 850 190
www.bruichladdich.com
Bunnahabhain
01496 840646
www.bunnahabhain.com
Caol Ila01496 302760
Kilchoman
01496 850 011
www.kilchomandistillery.com
Lagavulin Distillery and Visitor Centre01496-302250
Laphroaig Distillery and Visitor Centre01496-302418
Local Art
Jim Lutomski
Islay Studios Gallery
Whilst on holiday on Islay, pop into Islay studios gallery in Islay House Square near Bridgend.
The gallery has examples of creative seascape photography, beautifully mounted & framed from around the island taken by Mark Unsworth.
Also on display are pieces of limited edition art of Islay by some of the best artists currently practicing on Scotland’s west coast. A post-out service is available if you don’t have room in your vehicle or are travelling by public transport.
www.islaystudios.co.uk