Islay a Scottish island, known as "The Queen of the Hebrides" is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides. With a population of only 3500 and 8 whisky distilleries, it is clear that whisky is important on this island. It is known for it's peaty smokey whiskies, but there are exceptions.
How to get there
As it is "a little" of the beaten track getting there is a bit cumbersome. If you come by car, there is a ferry, be sure to have your reservations in order beforehand. You can also get there by plane from Glasgow, with Flybe. On a side note, if you're flying in with Ryan air you'll be landing at Prestwick. Getting from Prestwick to Glasgow Int. Airport isn't that easy, but by taxi it is no more than an hour, and the fare isn't that bad.
Where to live
There is a lot of possibilities, in the form of inns, hostels and cottages. Port Ellen is the port and largest town, while Bowmore is the capital and the most central of the two.
We lived in Bowmore, at the Bowmore distillery itself, wich was reasonable and very nice. You get an appartement, and can make your own food. The Lochside Inn, as mentioned in an earlier post, also seems like a nice place to stay. If you want to cover most of the distilleries, Bowmore is the most central of the two.
The distilleries
The main industries are malt whisky and tourism, mainly related to whisky. The distilleries of Islay are:
- Ardbeg
- Lagavulin
- Laphroig
- Bowmore
- Caol Ila
- Bunnahabain
- Bruchladdich
- Kilchoman
- Port Charlotte, wich is being established at the moment.
I have visited several of them and will post about my visits and link from here as we go along.
I visited in March 2010, and had a great four days, visiting distilleries, hanging out on the Lochside Inn and enjoying Islay hospitality. For anyone slightly interested in whisky in general, and Islay whisky in peticular, Islay is an absolute must.
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