Vist Islay Jura

Leisure Activities

Daily photographic tours through our beautiful Gearach Forest

To stalk -to follow game warily – Let us take you through our 1000 acres of forestry to where we know the majestic red stag and the shy and timid roe deer are likely to be feeding.

Islay stalking gives you a rare opportunity to take video and photographs of Islay’s wild deer.

We stalk two sessions each day. One at dawn and another at dusk. We stalk for a few hours and transport by Land Rover Defender is available.

Learn how to track, look for signs of deer and different species.

Contact:

Eleanor and Mark Piper
Gearach Forest Lodge
The Gearach Forest
Port Charlotte
Isle of Islay
Scotland
PA48 7UB

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1496 850120
Mobile: 07786 906472
Website: www.thegearach.co.uk
e-mail: enquiries@thegearach.co.uk

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Walkislay is now done and dusted for another year, with this year’s event being our most successful yet. When we started seven years ago, we had six walks and 160 people who completed the walks; this year we had 16 walks and 477 people completed the walks. James How’s walk over on Colonsay was the most popular walk with 53 people taking part. Certainly, the weather improved this week, and infact I do no think we had any rain at all throughout the week, even though there was a cold wind for most of the time, but nobody seemed to bother.

We had visitors from far and near, including Canada, Holland and Austria as well as walkers from all over the UK who enjoyed their time here along with the many locals who participated.

Islay and Jura Tourism and Marketing Group would like to thank all those who helped throughout the week, all the folk who kindly showed us hospitality, and the various land managers who allowed us access. Without you all, it would not be possible.

The Marketing Group would also like to thank Committee Member Ian Brooke for all the very hard work and months of planning which he has put into organising the weeks event – an even more arduous task than previous years as Ian has been recovering from major sugery this year. Many thanks Ian.

School Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA43 7JS
Email: mlc@macunlimited.net           Tel: +44 (0)1496 810767

Islay’s community owned leisure centre has a 25 meter heated indoor pool, a gym, sauna and a coin operated laundrette. It is located next to Bowmore Distillery. The Centre is closed on Mondays.

Contact the Centre for details of activities. Programmes are changed reagularly to reflect school holidays etc.

Situated adjacent to Port Ellen’s Ramsay Hall, the Playing Fields offer Pitch and Putt, Bowling, a tearoom and football pitch along with cycle hire.

The Field Centre in Port Charlotte features comprehensive information on Islay’s wildlife and birdlife, and holds activities days for the kids throughout the season from Easter to late October.

The Old Byre, Port Charlotte, Islay PA48 7TX
Websites: www.islaybushcraft.co.uk       www.islaywildernessguide.co.uk        Tel: 07549522679

Sharing and teaching, with all sorts of folks – whatever your age or experience; wilderness ways, wild camping and living off the land. Join me in foraging, nature watching and discovering the wild places.

Scotland’s only 5 star wildlife experience.

Brilliant for beginners – excellent for experts!

 
Bridgend Bowling Green Just opposite the Bridgend Hotel and adjacent to Bridgend Stores, Bridgend Bowling Green is open throughout the summer season and welcomes visitors

Estate Office, Bridgend, Islay PA44 7PT
Website: www.islayestates.com          Tel: 01496 810221

There are numerous fresh water lochs on the Islay Estates in which brown trout can be caught. The best months are May, June and July. The main lochs are Gorm, Skerrols and Finlaggan and these fish well throughout the season. There are good trout in Loch Ardnave, but it is not recommended after July because of weed growth. Loch Ardnahoe is very deep; it fishes better after the end of May and is noted for its very large trout.

Lochs Laingeadail, Drolsay and Leathan are less accessible, but offer an interesting outing for someone walking on the hills.

A bank permit covers all lochs, except Loch Gorm. The Boat hire charge includes your fishing permit. There are boats on Lochs Gorm, Skerrols, Cam, Finlaggan, and Ardnahoe. The Fishing Season is between 15th March and 30th September.

Salmon and Sea Trout fishing is also available, for more information please contact the Estate Office.

Brown Trout : Weekly permit £30
3 Day Permit £22
Daily Permit £12
Boats : £30       Boat (after 3pm): £20
Permits are available from the Islay Estates Office 01496 810 221