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City guide

Islay Island

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll and Bute just south west of Jura and around 40 kilometres north of the Northern Irish coast.

Type Island

Why go

  • Island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
  • Served by Islay Airport (ILY).

History

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll and Bute just south west of Jura and around 40 kilometres north of the Northern Irish coast. The island's capital is Bowmore where the distinctive round Kilarrow Parish Church and a distillery are located. Port Ellen is the main port.

Restaurants & places to go

Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-21:00; Sa Off Features: takeaway, vegetarian options · 22 Shore Street, Bowmore, PA43 7LB · peatzeria.com
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 12:00-14:00,16:30-22:00 · Shore Street, Bowmore, PA43 7LB
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:00,17:00-22:00 · The Square, PA43 7JP
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-11:00,12:00-15:00,17:00-19:15 · islandofislay.co.uk
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-15:30 Features: step-free access
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: We-Su 10:00-16:00 · PA45 7QR
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-18:00 Features: step-free access
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 18:00-20:30 · Main Street, PA48 7TL
Indoor
Cafe · Features: takeaway · 45 Main Street, Bowmore, PA43 7JJ
Indoor
Cafe · Features: takeaway
Indoor
Cafe · cafe
Indoor
Cafe · cafe
Indoor

Airports

Islay Airport (ILY) 4.7 mi to the centre
Isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Flybe) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Glasgow (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Flybe BE (Saab 340) · 1 route: Glasgow*

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Colonsay Airstrip (CSA) 21 mi to the centre
Colonsay, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Knockrome Airstrip 15 mi to the centre
Isle of Jura, Argyll and Bute, SCT, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Port Askaig Ferry Tetminal
Ferry terminal · 8.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Port Askaig Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 8.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Port Ellen Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 8.5 mi from the centre · Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMal)
Outdoor
Feolin
Ferry terminal · 8.7 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Jura Ferry
Ferry terminal · 8.7 mi from the centre · ASP on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council
Outdoor
Jura Passenger Ferry
Ferry terminal · 12 mi from the centre · JuraDevelopment Trust
Outdoor
Port Askaig - Feolin
Ferry route · ASP Ship Management
Outdoor
Port Askaig - Colonsay
Ferry route · Caledonian MacBrayne
Outdoor
Kennacraig - Port Ellen
Ferry route · Caledonian MacBrayne
Outdoor
Kennacraig - Port Askaig
Ferry route · Caledonian MacBrayne
Outdoor

Where to stay

High St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JF, United Kingdom · selfcateringbowmore.co.uk
Indoor
Balygrant, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA45 7QW, United Kingdom · kilmeny.co.uk
Indoor
Ardbeg House, 18 Charlotte St, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DF, United Kingdom · ardbeghouse.com
Indoor
Glen Road, Isle of Islay PA44 7PZ, United Kingdom · ballitarsin.co.uk
Indoor
Glenegedale, Isle of Islay PA42 7AS, United Kingdom · glenegedalehouse.co.uk
Indoor
Shore St, Bowmore, Islay PA43 7LB, United Kingdom · thebowmorehouse.co.uk
Indoor
Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay PA49 7UN, United Kingdom · lochgormhouse.com
Indoor
Smith's Yard, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7LR, United Kingdom · smithsyard.co.uk
Indoor
1838 A847, Bridgend, Isle of Islay PA44 7PQ, United Kingdom · sornbank.co.uk
Indoor
23 Shore St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7LB, United Kingdom · jeremystravelexperience.eu
Indoor
An Cuan, Jamieson St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7HL, United Kingdom · islaybnb.co.uk
Indoor
Machrie Hotel, Isle of Islay PA42 7AN, United Kingdom · another.place
Indoor
Jamieson St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7HL, United Kingdom · bowmorehotel.co.uk
Indoor
21Shore St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7LB, United Kingdom · thebruceislay.co.uk
Indoor
Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JR, United Kingdom · bowmore.com
Indoor
Isle of Islay PA44 7PB, United Kingdom · bridgend-hotel.com
Indoor
The Jura Hotel Ltd, Craighouse, Isle of Jura PA60 7XS, United Kingdom · jurahotel.co.uk
Indoor
1 Charlotte St, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DF, United Kingdom · no1charlottestreet.com
Indoor
Main St, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay PA48 7TX, United Kingdom · lochindaalhotel.co.uk
Indoor
Main St, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay PA48 7TU, United Kingdom · portcharlottehotel.co.uk
Indoor
Ballygrant, Isle of Islay PA45 7QR, United Kingdom · ballygrant-inn.com
Indoor
Islay PA43 7LN, United Kingdom · allandalebandb.co.uk
Indoor
Port Askaig, Isle of Islay PA46 7RD, United Kingdom · portaskaig.co.uk
Indoor
25 Shore St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7LB, United Kingdom · bowmorelochview.com
Indoor
Isle of Islay PA48 7UE, United Kingdom
Indoor
Atherstone, Jamieson St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7HL, United Kingdom
Indoor
Isle of Islay PA43 7JF, United Kingdom
Indoor
dha Urlar Bowmore, Islay PA43 7JQ, United Kingdom
Indoor
Port Ellen, Laphroaig, Isle of Islay PA42 7DS, United Kingdom
Indoor
118 Main St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JJ, United Kingdom
Indoor
The Square, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JP, United Kingdom
Indoor
3 School St, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JS, United Kingdom
Indoor
Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DS, United Kingdom
Indoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Islay Airport (ILY); 2 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ILY has direct flights to 1 destination on 1 airline (incl. Glasgow). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Port Askaig Ferry Tetminal, 8.4 mi); routes include Port Askaig - Feolin, Port Askaig - Colonsay, Kennacraig - Port Ellen.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Islay Island. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach