Things to See and Do on Islay
Enjoy an action packed, fun filled things to see and do on Islay and Jura.
Or head to our calendar of monthly events
Updated 15th April 2025
RSPB Guided Walks on Islay:
Every Tuesday and Thursday during the spring and summer months
We’ll be out looking for the elusive hen harriers and corncrakes. We’ll meet at 10am for both walks, on Tuesdays we’ll meet at the car park on the Oa, Meet at the Upper Kileyan Car Park. [email protected] 01496 300118 and on Thursdays we’ll meet at the Visitor Centre and explore the paths around Loch Gruinart. Guided walks are just £3 for Members, £5 for non-members and under 16s go free. No booking is required, and you can pay on the day (cash and card payments are accepted).No booking is required, and you can pay on the day (cash and card payments are accepted). Wear sensible shoes and suitable clothing. Walk lasts approximately 2 hours.
Live Traditional Music
Enjoy traditional live music in the bar at Port Charlotte Hotel Wednesday and Sunday night, April to October, start time 8.30pm, free.
Islay Encounters
Enjoy tours and safaris of Islay’s moorlands, woodlands, beaches and historical sites with nature expert and tour guide Tom Dunn at Islay Encounters
Islay Museum, Port Charlotte
Open Mon to Fri, 10.30am to 4.30pm Find out more about the history of the island and its inhabitants and explore its extensive collection of artefacts. The museum, which is in a former church in Port Charlotte, has undergone refurbishment this winter.
Ceramic painting and Art at Persabus Pottery and Art Studio, Islay
Open all year round. Come have a go at painting your very own ceramic piece at Persabus Pottery and Art Studio. Or book a Mindfulness, Art and Creative Mixed Media Workshop (all materials provided).
The Creative Studio has lots of paints, sponges, brushes, fun writers, and more to ensure you get the most from your painting experience. Rosemary will guide you through various techniques before capturing your creative style onto ceramics. Once finished, leave your pieces in the studio. They will be glazed and fired in the kilns and will be ready for collection a day or so later, or for an additional fee they can be posted on to you. (UK only) There is no need to book but please be aware we operate on a first come basis so during peak times or very wet days do try and arrive early to ensure your space. We charge a studio fee of £2 per painter (please note on busy days studio time may be limited to one hour)
Open Tues – Fri: 12noon – 4pm Sat: 12noon –3 pm
Pottery Painting Experiences | Persabus
Jura Boat Tours 2025
From 5th May until 30th September. Wildlife tours are on every day.
Corryvreckan tours Sun, Tues, and Thurs from Craighouse.
Circumnavigate Jura, every Wednesday from Craighouse, and Mon and Fri from Port Askaig
Private charters available May to September
Longer tours are passengers and weather dependent, but Jura Boat Tours will always try to reschedule and do their best to get you out on your trip
Islay Sea Adventures 2025
From March 29 to October
Wildlife Tours – Monday to Friday at 10AM and 2PM. Saturdays at 10AM;
Fishing Tours – Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am and 2pm
Seafood Tours – Fridays at 2PM;
Corryvreckan Tours – Set days each month to correlate with the spring tides. These tours will run
from April – September.
Staffa and Iona Tours – Set Saturday each month – 10th May, 14th June, 12th July and 16th August
Mull of Oa, Dawn and Dusk Tours – upon request when weather allows and there’s enough demand (no set dates)
Private Charters – Available anytime.
Islay Sea Adventures | Unforgettable Tours departing daily! (islay-sea-adventures.co.uk)
Handmade Scottish Tablet: An Gleann
Re-opening for the season on Saturday 12th April daily 10am – 5pm
Come and visit for some home grown preserves, a range of our own honey and beeswax gifts and, of course, lots of new season tablet!
Traditional Music
Get those toes tapping, and enjoy some live traditional music, with local performers, every Wednesday and Sunday Night at the Port Charlotte Hotel, Port Charlotte, starts around 8pm
Made on Islay and Jura Arts and Crafts Fairs
Tues and Thurs (up to mid September)
A fine selection of arts and crafts, enjoy talking to local artisans.
Tues in Bruichladdich Hall 11am – 5pm
Thursdays in Islay Gaelic College, Bowmore 11am – 4pm
Port Wemyss Cake Cupboard
Enjoy a visit to the Cake Cupboard at Burnside Lodge Port Wemyss.
Teas, coffees, and incredible home made cakes. Option to take some home, or enjoy the coastal path and admire the view as you munch.
Open for the season Friday, Saturday and Sundays 10am to 4pm
Museum of Islay Life
Opening in May or June due to undergoing refurbishment.
Discover Islay’s past. Enjoy delving into the beautiful history and heritage of this fascinating island. Open Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Islay Nature Centre, Port Charlotte
Open every day from 1pm to 4pm. Come and find out more about Islay’s flora and fauna and meet some of the sea creatures that inhabit our seas
The Blue Letterbox
The Blue Letterbox at Port Ellen sells artisan crafts and gifts from makers across the islands. The Blue Letterbox | Explore Islay & Jura
Windswept Farm, Port Charlotte,
sells a range of island produce and Scottish produce, including meat reared on the farm, readymeals, deli produce, preserves and pickles and a range of gifts and handicrafts including crocheted items made on the farm. Windswept Farmshop Islay | Explore Islay & Jura
Islay studios, Islay House Square:
Photographic and art gallery and café open from Thursday, 30th March. Easter Saturday, open 10-5pm. Closed Easter Sunday and Monday. From Tuesday April 2 to Christmas, open Monday-Saturday 10-5pm.
About Islay Studios – Islay Studios
Church services
For information please see the websites St Kieran’s Church, Port Charlotte St Kiaran’s Church, Islay
St Kiaran’s Church, Islay — North & West Islay Church of Scotland
Catholic services are held at the Episcopalian church, Bridgend at 4pm on the first and third Sunday
of every month. Special services out with these times are available on the church notice board,
outside the gate and posted on the community facebook page.
Islay Baptist Church has the following services: 10am every Sunday in Port Ellen (with Junior Church
4-16 year olds) and 6:30pm every Sunday in Bowmore
St John’s Church, Port Ellen welcomes everyone to their services of worship held each Sunday at
11.30am.
Church of Scotland services are posted on the Islay and Jura Facebook page
Services are held every week as follows
10am Round Church, Bowmore
10.30am St. Kiaran’s Church Port Charlotte (last Sunday alternates between Kilmeny and Portnahaven)
11.30am St John’s Church Port Ellen
11.30am Jura Church
Everyone is always welcome
Swimming, gym and Sauna
The MacTaggart Leisure Centre: Swim, gym, Sauna
Swimming, gym and Sauna: 25m x8.5m four-lane pool; gym
overlooking Loch Indaal – fully equipped with range of cardio and resistance machines. Five-seater
Eco sauna. See website for times and more details Facilities | MacTaggart Leisure Centre
Islay Sea Adventures
Boat trips- regular tours with Islay Sea Adventures April to October.
Wildlife trips will be running Monday – Friday, 10AM and 2PM as well as Saturdays at 10AM.
Fishing trips will be running Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10AM and 2PM.
Seafood trips Wednesdays at 2pm. (there may be the odd one on different days if demand allows).
Corryveckan is tidal. The dates for Corryveckan are June 5 and 6, July 3 – 5,
August 1 – 4 and 29 – 31, September 1 – 2 and 15 – 18. Times vary depending on the tide.
The Mull of Oa, Dawn and Dusk trips will run on a basis of whenever the weather allows. These will be
announced via social media if they decide to run one. https://islay-sea-adventures.co.uk/
Handmade Scottish Tablet: An Gleann
Come and visit for some home grown preserves, a range of our own honey and beeswax gifts and, of course, lots of new season tablet
Islay Gin
Gin tastings and cocktails at Islay Gin, Islay Square, Bridgend. Opening hours are 11am-4pm, Tuesday – Saturday. Home | Isle of Islay Gin
Church services
For information please see the websites
St Kieran’s Church, Port Charlotte St Kiaran’s Church, Islay — North & West Islay Church of Scotland (northandwestislaychurches.org)
Catholic services are held at the Episcopalian church, Bridgend at 4pm on the first and third Sunday of every month. Special services out with these times are available on the church notice board, outside the gate and posted on the community facebook page.
Islay Baptist Church has the following services: 10am every Sunday in Port Ellen (with Junior Church 4-16 year olds) and 6:30pm every Sunday in Bowmore
St John’s Church, Port Ellen welcomes everyone to their services of worship held each Sunday at 11.30am.