Things to See and Do
Your Holiday starts here
where we regularly update information on opening times, walks, and activities available on the island for you to enjoy.
Distillery visits
Tours, tastings and opening times for 2021 click here
The Pottery
Open Monday to Friday from 12 noon – 4pm, Saturday 12 noon – 3pm. www.persabuspottery.com
Dining Out
From Seafood restaurants to small cafes and galleries. For more information on places to dine and opening times in 2021 click here.
Walking on Islay and Jura
For local walks do visit our Islay walks page
Jura can be easily accessed with the ferry operating regularly throughout the day from Port Askaig. Make sure you have sturdy walking boots and equipment as the terrain is rough.
Colonsay visits in the summer on Wednesdays and Saturdays, see the Calmac website for more details of sailings, which must be booked in advance.
Fly Fishing on Lochs
Both Loch (boat hire available) and river fishing is available. Persabus is located close to Loch Ballygrant, Loch Aline and Loch Ardnahoe.
For salmon or trout fishing and loch permits, contact the Estate offices,
Dunlossit Estate Office and Islay Estate Office
Fly Fish Islay – Guided instruction
Fly Fish Islay offers fishing trips to suit your needs. All equipment can be provided. JohnMacCallum, director, has represented Scotland in the Commonwealth games fly fishing team, as well as competing in International and National competitions.
Telephone: ( +44 ) 07429607158
Islay Sea Adventures
Experience Islay’s wildlife from the sea. Enjoy picnics and feasts of freshly cooked seafood.
For boat tours and fishing trips Islay Sea Adventures.
Islay Outdoors
Enjoy guided walks, wildlife walks, fishing trips and bird watching expeditions with former gamekeeper and local man Donald James MacPhee.
Islay Outdoors – Guided Tours on the Scottish Isle of Islay
Kayak Wild Islay and Fat-Bike Islay
Sea kayaking or fat bike tours.
Please call to book on Mondays Kayak Wild Islay – Explore Islay & Jura (islayjura.com)
Golf
Golfing on the famous Machrie Links Golf Course. Golf lessons available. Machrie.
RSPB Nature Reserve
The reserve has various habitats. These include mudflats, saltmarsh, wet grassland, moorland, blanket bog and broadleaved woodland. These habitats encourage and support a huge variety of birdlife and wildlife. Enjoy watching a variety of birds from the hide or go on one of the guided walks at the RSPB Nature Reserve at Loch Gruinart. The Visitor Information Centre is currently closed in 2021.
Finlaggan
Finlaggan is the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles. The islands have the old ruins buildings from the days when the Lords of the Isles ruled from Loch Finlaggan. The Visitor Centre is currently closed but you can still visit this ancient site. For more information click here.
The Museum of Islay Life
Step back in time and delve into 12,000 years of Islay’s history. Situated in the fishing village of Port Charlotte. In 2021 the Museum of Islay Life is open April – October, Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday 11am – 3pm (max of 12-15 persons at a time, depending on configuration). More information can be found on the website
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Islay Clay Pigeons offer group and individual instruction. All levels welcome. Phone Mark Piper 01496840120
The Kildalton Cross
Along the road from Ardbeg, is a monolithic high cross and was erected more than 1,200 years ago and still stands in its original location.
The MacTaggart Leisure Centre
Based in the heart of Bowmore the MacTaggart Leisure Centre has a heated swimming pool, sauna and gym.
Holiday sessions and activities include:
Inflatable Fun Tues & Fridays 8-16 years – swimmers only.
Snorkelling and Seascooters Wedensdays 8+ years – swimmers only
Family Fun Thursdays Max age 7 years (four family pods)
Lots of swimming lanes and family pods available all week.
All sessions MUST be booked in advance.
Islay Woollen Mill
Opening times are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm. Face masks must be worn when visiting the mill. Hand sanitiser is provided and we request this to be used when entering the shop. Gloves can be requested to help protect you and our staff. Islay Woollen Mill, Online Shop, Tweed, Braveheart, Souvenirs, Country Clothing Islay
Islay House Square
Islay House Square is home to a variety of craft shops.
Islay Quilters – The Islay Quilters charity and other quilt work, plus information about our shop and history. Haberdashery, beautiful hand quilted and sewn pieces on sale.
Glass Island Studios – hand crafted stained glass pieces for sale. Workshops available
Glass Island Studios – Isle of Islay
Mackinnon’s Marmalade – Deli in Bridgend (business.site) Islay’s jams, jellies, marmalades and chutneys.
NERABUS® – Infused with Wild Islay Heather | Islay Gin Ltd for lovely Islay infused gin.
Cycle hire
In Port Ellen: bike hire and cycle repairs Welcome to Islay Cycles
Islay Bike Hire offers delivery and collection of bikes (from £20 a day)
Call 07376351438
email: islaybikehire@gmail.com
www.islay-bikehire.co.uk
Jura Water Activities
Watersports, Canadian Canoes and paddleboards from Criaghuse or Corran. For more information Jura Boat Tours
Konrad Borkowski Photography, Jura
The Whisky Island gallery and studio. Visit the studio with
views on to Small Isles Bay and the Paps of Jura www.thewhiskyisland.co.uk
Annual events and festivals:
Walk Islay, Islay Beach Rugby, Islay Half Marathon, Islay Agricultural Show, Islay Book Festival, Islay Jazz Festival and the Ride of the Falling Rain.
