Isle of Islay Scotland http://isleofislay.posterous.com Information, blogs and images from the Scottish Isle of Islay posterous.com Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:13:09 -0700 Another Great Day on Islay - Mainly at Port Ellen and Laphroaig http://isleofislay.posterous.com/another-great-day-on-islay-mainly-at-port-ell http://isleofislay.posterous.com/another-great-day-on-islay-mainly-at-port-ell

It was another fine day on Islay. It started with a beautiful sunrise and a rainbow and later on we visited Dunlossit Estate office where we found out that the last piggies left Islay last week. They will be missed! Then we found ourselves in and around Port Ellen where we had a couple of wee walks. Annika spent some time on the swings next to Ramsay Hall, I have been inside the Screen Machine for the first time which was nice. We have visited Laphroaig Distillery, seen many Geese at the head of Loch Indaal and in the afternoon we went to see the Hastings family in Port Charlotte where we had a great time and dinner! What a wonderful day it was as you can see from the images J

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Tue, 18 May 2010 12:12:54 -0700 An Islay Day with Many Faces http://isleofislay.posterous.com/an-islay-day-with-many-faces http://isleofislay.posterous.com/an-islay-day-with-many-faces

It was an amazing day today and as the title says, a day with many different aspects of Islay, beautiful weather again and many people we have met. We started off separately, Manuela and Annika spent time in Port Ellen while I visited the Lagavulin Distillery. There was a lot of painting going on at the distilleries to prepare for the feis next week. Afterwards we headed for Ardbeg where we had a great lunch and on our way to Claggain Bay we met Roland at his cottage, the former Kildalton Lodge. Roland is the person behind Islay Hotel in Port Ellen which, by the way, will be called Islay Hotel in the future as well. Roland took us on a lovely wee trip to meet Fiona Middleton, the lady who is known for playing the violin for the seals and also wrote a book about it. We had a lovely meeting with Fiona and a look around her farm while I also had an opportunity to take some pictures of Kildalton House which was inhabited until 50 years ago. On our way back from Claggain Bay we visited the Laphroaig Distillery, made Annika a Friend of Laphroaig, had a couple of drams, some pleasant conversations and we had a peek in the new Laphroaig Museum which will be officially opened at the Feis. From what I have seen the museum is really nice, very interesting and very much worth visiting. This isn’t all, on our way back we sat on the beach at Port Ellen enjoying the wonderful weather and we had a tour inside the Islay Hotel which is going to be beautiful.

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Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:32:00 -0700 The Scottish Isle of Islay http://isleofislay.posterous.com/17318352 http://isleofislay.posterous.com/17318352

The Isle of Islay offers the visitor a peaceful and relaxing holiday with miles of beautiful beaches, magnificant bays on Islay's Atlantic west coast, stunning views and picturesque villages like Port Charlotte, Portnahaven and Port Ellen. Pony Trekking, fresh and salt water angling, shooting and stalking are all available, while walking and cycling are ideal and practical ways to explore the island.

Islay boasts some very fine hand craft shops which are worth a visit, such as the Persabus Pottery in Port Askaig and the Islay Woollen Mill near Bridgend. Islay House Square in Bridgend, located in the centre of Islay, is home to Islay Ales, the Islay Quilters, Elizabeth Sykes Batics and several other interesting shops. The neighbouring Bridgend woodland is perfect for fine sheltered walks along the river Sorn, specially in springtime when the grounds are covered with bluebells.

There is the famous golf links at Machrie, where visitors are welcome. Below the seas surrounding Islay lie many wrecks which provide interesting dives for the experienced diver. Islay is renowned for its huge variety of birds and wildlife and is home to the RSPB at Loch Gruinart which includes a worthy visitors centre. There are many rare winged visitors to Islay including barnacle geese in the winter time, chough and corncrake.

In Bowmore, the island’s main centre, the Mactaggart Leisure Centre comprises a superb swimming pool, sauna and fitness gym open each week from Tuesday to Sunday. Adjacent is Morrisons Bowmore Distillery, one of the eight working distilleries on Islay and welcoming visitors for a tour and dram. Close to The Oystercatcher B&B are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig Distillery. Bowmore famous Round Church stands at the top of Main Street, overlooking the village.

The historical significance of Islay cannot be over emphasised. It is from Finlaggan, the cradle of the Clan Donald, that much of Argyll was ruled by the Lords of the Isles. Here, in the ancient burial ground is the grave of Robert the Bruce’s grand-daughter, and there is a seasonal visitors’ cottage on-site. Religion played a major part in Islay’s history, with many carved stones, including the Kildalton Cross.

The neighbouring Isle of Jura is one of the last wilderness areas of Europe. There is a regular ten minute ferry service from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin. Jura has a population of around 150 people who live mainly along its east coast, and principally in the village of Craighouse. Here is situated Jura’s only hotel.

More info and pictures can be found on the Ultimate Islay Guide which offers a wealth of information, history, accommodation, maps and pictures.

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