Welcome to the mobile edition of the Islay Info website.

The Isle of Islay is located off the west coast of Scotland and is the southern most island of the Inner Hebrides. The Isle of Islay is described in detail and with many pictures on the Islay Info website. This Islay site is built specifically for smart phone users such as an iPhone, Android, Nokia or Blackberry device. This site will not replace the Islay Info website but can be seen as a mobile addition for smart phone users. That is why you won't find many bandwidth consuming images in between the text but instead the practical information you are looking for when you are either visiting Islay or are planning a trip. Please remind that most links point to Islay Info and other sites that are not optimised for mobile phone use.

About the Isle of Islay
The Isle of Islay offers its visitors 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. For more information check out the Islay activities page where you'll find an overview with some ideas for a trip or day out including the phone numbers where you can get more information.

Whisky and Distilleries
The eight world famous whisky distilleries attract many visitors each year and the highlight is the annual Feis Ile, the Islay festival of malt and music, usually in the last week of May. For an overview of the distilleries visit the Islay Whisky page. The latest distillery leaflet with opening hours can be downloaded in the download section

Travel and Local Transport
Most visitors come by car and use the excellent and reliable Calmac ferries that leave from Kennacraig in Kintyre several times a day to either Port Ellen or Port Askaig. The Kennacraig ferry terminal is also served by a bus that leaves from Glasgow. Other means to reach the island is by air. Flybe and Loganair operate the daily flights between Glasgow and Glenegedale airport on Islay. Local transport is available as well. Islay offers several Car and cycle hires, a local bus connects most villages on Islay and there are several taxi companies. More information is available on the Islay Travel page

Craft Shops and Shopping
Islay boasts some very fine hand craft shops which are worth a visit, such as the Islay Woollen Mill near Bridgend and Tormisdale Croft on the Rhinns. Islay House Square in Bridgend, located in the centre of the island, offers several shops such as Islay Studios, Elizabeth Sykes Batics, the Islay Chocolate Co, the Islay Quilters and Islay Ales, the only brewery on the island.

Sports on Islay
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 becoming more and more famous as a cycling destination and walking opportunities can be found all over the island. Surfing and Kite surfing are possible on Loch Indaal and Islay's west coast. With many lochs spread all over the island trout fishing is quite popular, Port Ellen has its own angling club.

Wildlife
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, corncrakes and eagles. Otters and seals can be spotted on the many coastal areas where you'll always find many (wading) birds.

Villages on Islay
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. Bowmore famous Round Church stands at the top of Main Street, overlooking the village. Bowmore offers several shops, hotels, restaurants and bars, two banks and has the largest supermarket, the co-op, on the island.

The other main village on Islay is Port Ellen where you will find several shops, the ferry terminal, accommodations and a couple of beautiful beaches. Close by are the three famous distilleries of Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. On the Rhinns of Islay you can find the village of Bruichladdich and the distillery. Port Charlotte, further south on the main road, is perhaps the most picturesque village on the island but the same can be said from Portnahaven, a few miles further south, and its neighbouring village of Port Wemyss. Port Charlotte is home to a youth hostel, the Islay Museum, the Islay Natural History Trust and a few restaurants and bars.

In the north-east of the island, on the shores of the Sound of Islay, are the villages of Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain, built to house the distilleries workers many years ago. A couple of miles east is Port Askaig whit its Hotel, shop, petrol station and ferry terminal with ferries to the mainland, Colonsay and Jura. 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.

Eating Out
There are several hotels on Islay with excellent restaurants, some more expensive than others. Most hotels also have a bar. For an overview check out the Eating and Drinking page

Islay History
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. There are also remains of chapels, burial sites, cairns, standing stones and hill forts.

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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