The great Clan Donald chose well when they made the Isle of Islay the centrepiece of their Lordship of the Isles.
Islay has always been blessed with nature's bounty - rich farmlands which each autumn witness clouds of geese arriving. Loch Gruinart in the north is the island's main reserve, with barnacle and white-fronted geese flying in from Greenland.
Peat is still cut from the mosslands which cover much of the interior, giving the unique flavour to the 'Islay malts' - world-famous whiskies such as Bowmore, Laphroaig and Ardbeg. Most are still in production and welcome visitors to watch the production process and, even better, sample their delights.
Islay has a number of villages with terraces of small, single-storey houses lining the foreshore, such as Port Ellen, Port Charlotte and Port Askaig. Bowmore, Islay's main town, has a unique, round church, said to have been designed to ensure that evil spirits had no corner in which to hide.
Relics of a bygone age abound, with stone circles, carved stones and crosses, fine forts and castles and evidence of Bronze Age settlements.
Regional Info
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Bowmore
Bowmore is Islay's main town, situated on the shores of Loch Indaal.
3.93 miles awayBruichladdich
Bruichladdich is a small settlement in Argyllshire on the Rhinns of the isle of Islay.
6.94 miles awayPort Ellen
As the chief port on the island and home to the CalMac ferry terminal, Port Ellen is the main...
7 miles away
Port Charlotte
The Queen of the Rhinns', Port Charlotte is a village on the island of Islay.
7.08 miles awayPort Askaig
Port Askaig is found on the shore on the Sound of Islay, and the pier runs ferries to the mainland...
8.98 miles awayThe Kyles Of Bute
An area of outstanding natural beauty, this narrow stretch of water separates Bute from Argyll.
9.03 miles awayPortnahaven
Portnahaven is an attractive little settlement at the tip of the Rinns of Islay.
12.58 miles awayLowlandman’s Bay
The scenic Lowlandman’s Bay is located on the east coast of Jura, Argyll & The Isles.
16.2 miles awayGigha
Gigha - pronounced 'geeya', with a hard 'g' - is a small, fertile island, just 3 miles off the west...
17.55 miles awayArdminish Bay
Ardminish Bay is located on the east coast of Gigha, Argyll & The Isles.
18.26 miles awayTayinloan
Tayinloan is a small village located on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula, 20 miles south of...
21.36 miles awayMuasdale
Muasdale is a small linear village on the west side of Kintyre midway between Tarbert and...
21.86 miles awayColonsay
Situated between Mull and Islay, the Isle of Colonsay is the ideal destination for anyone seeking...
23.46 miles awayKiloran Bay
Kiloran Bay is located on the north western coast of Colonsay, Argyll & The Isles.
25.66 miles awayWestport Beach
West Port Beach in Argyll is one of the most beautiful beaches in the west coast of Scotland.
25.95 miles awayMachrihanish
Machrihanish is a hidden gem on the south westerly part of Kintyre.
27.85 miles awayMachrihanish
Machrihanish beach is a gorgeous and unique golden beach located next to Machrihanish Golf Club on...
27.89 miles awayJura
The long and narrow island of Jura is one of the wildest and most mountainous of the Inner Hebrides...
29.82 miles awayCarradale
Tucked away in a quite part of Scotland in Kintyre, Carradale is a small working fishing village...
29.86 miles awayPort Righ Bay
Port Righ Bay overlooks a small sheltered beach on the east side of Kintyre, Argyll & The Isles.
30.17 miles awayTayvallich
Tayvallich is a small village in Knapdale, situated at the head of Loch a’Bhealaich, a small inlet...
30.18 miles awayCampbeltown
The peaceful little town of Campbeltown situated on the beautiful peninsula of Kintyre is one of...
31.24 miles awayAchnamara
Achnamara is a village located on an islet on the eastern side of Loch Sween, 5 miles south if...
31.72 miles awayTarbert
Tarbert on Loch Fyne is an attractive village which for many visitors acts as the gateway to the...
31.87 miles awayPirnmill
Standing on the north west coast of Isle of Arran, Pirnmill is a small village taking its name from...
32.29 miles awayMull (local Area)
The largest of the islands of Argyll and the third largest in Scotland is the rich in culture,...
32.77 miles awaySkipness Beach
Skipness Beach is located in Kintyre, Argyll & The Isles.
33.03 miles awayKnapdale
Knapdale Forest is surrounded by a National Scenic Area and is partially bordered by the Crinan...
33.1 miles awayCatacol Bay
Catacol bay is found on the north western coastline of the Isle of Arran.
33.85 miles awayDougarie
Situated in the north west quarter of Isle of Arran, Dougarie offers many activities to be enjoyed...
34.09 miles awayCatacol
A small coastal village located in the steep-sided valley on the north west side of Isle of Arran 2...
34.16 miles awayCrinan Ferry Beach
Crinan Ferry beach is located in north Knapdale, Argyll & The Isles.
34.72 miles away
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