April – October

Ongoing list of events on the islands for you to enjoy,

Last updated 09/05/2022

April – October (ongoing)

Persabus Pottery: Pottery Painting Experiences at Persabus Pottery.

Come and explore your creativity with one of our ‘pottery painting takeaways’ or why not book a painting session in our new Creative Studio. The pottery is open Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 4pm and Saturday 12noon to 3pm. https://www.persabus.co.uk/pottery/pottery-painting-experiences/Tel: 01496 840243

Swimming Mactaggart Leisure Centre, Bowmore: Please check their website for the full swimming programme MacTaggart Leisure Centre | Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool Bowmore Islay or call 01496 810767 to find out the times of public swims.

RSPB Weekly Guided walks April – October: Every Tuesday at 10 am at the Oa Reserve. Join us on a guided walk looking for golden eagles and choughs and enjoy spectacular views from the American Monument.  Meet at Upper Killeyan Car Park (email [email protected] or phone 01496 300118 for more details)

Made In Islay and Jura Arts and Crafts Market, Bruichladdich Village Hall 10am to 4.30pm. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 4.30pm. Meet some of the local arts and craft people. Original paintings, high quality prints, photos, books, jewellery, hand-spun wool, quilting and more.

Every Thursday at 10am meet at Loch Gruinart Reserve. Come with us as we try to catch a glimpse of the elusive hen harrier and listen for the call of the corncrake. Meet at the RSPB visitor centre, Gruinart. (email [email protected] or phone 01496 850505 for more details)

Live Music every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – Hear local musicians live at the Port Charlotte Hotel (from April 13) every Wednesday and Sunday night (8pm start)  and at the Islay Hotel, Port Ellen every Thursday and Saturday night.

An Gleann Cottage produce – reopening.
www.angleann.co.uk An Gleann Tablet shop  re opens for the season on Thursday April 7. This on-site shop sells tablet (a little like fudge if you’ve not tasted) as well as gift bags, tablet mice, range of preserves and comb honey.

Open daily, including Sundays, from 10am to 5pm. We operate a self service system with cash payment to our ‘honesty box’. If you prefer to pay remotely or you’d like to pre order for collection have a wee look at our website where you can see our full range of stock. Email, message or give us a call to order and arrange collection.

Weekday Afternoons: Islay Natural History Trust, Port Charlotte – From April 11 to May 27 the Islay Nature Centre, next to the Youth Hostel in Port Charlotte, will be open between 1pm and 4pm. From May 30 – September 30 it will be open weekdays from 10am – 4pm. Admission FREE but donations encouraged. Come and see sea creatures in the tanks and learn more about Islay’s flora and fauna.

Family activity sessions July – August (Thursday afternoons) Nature Walks (June – September Sunday and Thursday afternoons). The centre is fully wheelchair accessible.

Weekdays – The Museum of Islay Life. The museum in Port Charlotte is open from Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Come on in and see thousands of years of Islay history.

May

May 4th and 18^th Art Workshops at RSPB Loch Gruinart – 2pm to 5pm.

Love the amazing Islay scenery? Inspired by the incredible wildlife of this beautiful island?  Create your own Islay souvenir and learn some new skills by joining us and local artist Dietmar Finger for an art workshop at Loch Gruinart nature reserve.  Dietmar will guide you through your own sketch at a location around the reserve or in our Visitor Centre, depending on the weather.  £30 per person with tuition, refreshments and all materials included. Booking is essential. Limited 4 people per session. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. To book and for further information please contact us on 01496 850505 or [email protected]

Wednesday May 18 – Corncrake Calling Walk – Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve 8pm

Join us for an evening walk to take in the sights and sound of the reserve at dust as we listen out for the distinctive call of the corncrake and try to catch a glimpse of this elusive bird. Meet at the visitor centre. £3 for RSPB members £5 for non-members and free for under 16s. The walk will last approximately 1 hour. Please book and dress for the weather- sensible footwear essential. For more information call 01496 850505 or email [email protected]

May 27 from 6pm to 6pm. Community opening event for Feis Ile at Port Ellen playing fields Islay and Jura pipes and drums, highland dancers, inflatables and rides. Music from Rock and Reel, Acoustic Souna, The Midges.

 May 27 – June 4 Feis Ile – Islay Whisky Festival

See the festival website for full programme The Official Website of Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival (feisile.co.uk)

Each distillery has its own day for events, special bottlings etc on particular dates throughout the festival and there are other events organised (some ticketed) throughout the festival. The main events/distillery days are as follows:

Friday May 27 – Community event – Port Ellen Playing fields

Saturday May 28 – Isle of Jura Fell Race For those hardy enough – 7 summits, 2,370m of climbing, 28km and only 200 places! Come and cheer them on –  10.30am startMore details available & how to enter on their own website (www.isleofjurafellrace.co.uk)

Saturday May 28 – Lagavulin Distillery Day

Sunday May 29 – Bruichladdich Distillery Day

Monday May 30 – Caol Ila Day and  Isle of Islay Gin

Tuesday May 31 –  Laphroaig Day and Islay Ales

 June

May 27 – June 4 Feis Ile – Islay Whisky Festival

See the festival website for full programme The Official Website of Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival (feisile.co.uk)

Wednesday June 1 – Bowmore Day and Ardnahoe Day

Thursday June 2 – Kilchoman Day; Islay Whisky Academy open day (Portnahaven)

Friday June 3 – Bunnahabhain Distillery Day; Jura Distillery Day; Lussa Gin (Jura) Deer Island Rum (Jura)

Saturday June 4 – Ardbeg Day.

Wednesday June 15, Wednesday June 22 and Wednesday June 29 – Art Workshops at RSPB Loch Gruinart, 2pm to 4.30pm

Create your own Islay souvenir and learn some new skills by joining  local artist Dietmar Finger for an art workshop at Loch Gruinart nature reserve. Dietmar will guide you through your won sketch at a location around the reserve or in our Visitor Centre (depending on the weather). £30 per person with tuition, refreshments and all materials included. Booking essential Minimum 2 and maximum 4 people per session. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. To book and for further information please contact us on 01496 850505 or [email protected]

August

 August 6 – Ardbeg Islay Half Marathon

The Ardbeg Islay Half Marathon started in 1986 and involves a 13 mile, 192 yard run from the village of Bowmore on the Isle of Islay out to Islay Airport and back in a circular route. The run takes place amongst some of the most beautiful scenery that you will ever see!

This years event is due to take place on Saturday 6th August 2022. Visit the website for more details Islay Half Marathon

 August 11  – Islay Agricultural show Bridgend Showfield
The Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show held its very first meeting on the last day of July in 1838. The object of the Association was to curate the advancement of agriculture generally and in particular within the islands of Islay, Jura and Colonsay. This was to be achieved by means of shows, demonstrations, lectures, subscriptions for research work, with the awarding of prizes and premiums or otherwise as the Association may decide from time to time.

November

Lagavulin Jazz Festival

The 2022 Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival is still to be confirmed – Please check their website for more information and programme when available.