Vist Islay Jura

Archive for April, 2007

The Old Kiln Cafe
Ardbeg Distillery

A restaurant in the former peat kiln in the distillery. Excellent food, comfortable surroundings, great service. Clootie Dumpling to die for.

Open 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday all year round. Open weekends from end of May to end August. Car parking. Licensed.

Tel: +44 (0)1496 302244

Harbour Inn      Islay

Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JR T: 01496 810330
Website: www.harbour-inn.com/cuisine.html

Our award winning restaurant is widely recommended. Our menus change regularly to take advantage of the freshest of local produce from Islay’s superb larder.

If you prefer plainer fare, there is always an option of simply grilled steaks and fish. All our dishes are prepared to order so can be modified to suit any dietary requirements.

Bridgend Hotel      Islay

Bridgend, Isle of Islay PA44 7PBT: 01496 810212
Website: www.bridgend-hotel.com

Located centrally at Bridgend, the newly refurbished restaurant provides quality food sourced locally.

Hotel serving full evening meals and Bar meals daytime and evening.

Car Parking. Licensed.

The Port Charlotte Hotel      Islay

Main Street, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, PA48 7TU
Website: www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk/dining.htmT: 01496 850360

We passionately believe in our food at Port Charlotte Hotel. We also believe you need to feel good to enjoy a great dining experience to the full.

Our restaurant, lounge bar and conservatory are all about making people welcome, comfortable and feeling at ease. Local produce, freshly prepared to order and served in elegant surroundings is the central theme of the restaurant.

Finlaggan Trust      Islay

Finlaggan Information Centre, Finlaggan, Ballygrant, Isle of Islay PA45 7QR

Website: www.finlaggan.com       Tel: 01496 840644 (opening hours only)

At the Finlaggan Information Centre you’ll discover a time in Scottish history when Loch Finlaggan was at the heart of the power of the Lords of the Isles, rivals to the Kings of Scotland. Take the short walk to the islands, accessed by a bridge, or view them from a comfortable glassed area in the Centre.

Finlaggan is a truly romantic setting for weddings, and licensed for civil ceremonies. Enquiries to fionnlagan@gmail.com or write to The Chairman at the Information Centre

Opens Easter Friday, 2 April 2010
Location: Left turn about 1 mile north of Ballygrant, then 1st left

Opening times: Mon – to Sat 10.30am – 4.30 pm and Sunday 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm

Admission charges: Adults £3.00, Concessions £2.00, Children £1.00

Built in 1767, the church is said to be round so as not to provide a hiding place for the devil. It is one of only two round churches in Scotland. Services are held on Sunday Mornings (check the Ileach for times) and is generally open to visitors throughout the week. Donations for the upkeep of this historic building are always welcome.

Website: www.theroundchurch.org.uk

Islay Ales Company Limited      Islay

The Brewery, Islay House Square, Bridgend T:01496 810014
Website: www.islayales.com

The award-winning Islay Ales Company has been brewing a range of cask and bottle-conditioned ales in Islay House Square since 2004. Come and learn more about the process of brewing by taking one of our free tours, culminating in a wee taster of our flagship ales in the relaxing surrounds of our visitor centre, bar and well stocked shop.

To find the Brewery, take the A846 (Port Askaig road) out of Bridgends and after 500 yards you will see a green Islay House Square sign on the right hand side. Turn left immediately opposite this sign. Drive past the car park on the left into the Square. The Brewery is located at the back left hand side of the Square.

Loch Gruinart Reserve covers 1700 hectares (ha) and includes a working farm which is situated on the flats. Aoradh Farm is the biggest in-hand farming operation on a nature reserve anywhere in the UK. Roughly a third of the Reserve comprises farm land for grazing or for silage or arable crop production. The rest consists of approximately 250ha of mudflats and saltmarsh and 980ha of heather moorland.

There is a Visitor Centre, which is open all year round, from which you can see across the flats, use the telescopes to find the vast array of birds, deer and other wildlife.

Weekly guided walks take place on Thursdays at 10.00 leaving from the Visitor Centre. Please note that booking is required for the walk from November to March.

During the summer months there are a range of walks and activities at other times. Please contact the Reserve for details. 
Tel: +44 (0)1496 850505
e-mail: loch.gruinart@rspb.org.uk 

The rare chough breeds along the spectacular coastline, as do peregrine, raven and hundreds of seabirds.

It is an excellent place to see golden eagles and many other birds of prey.

The reserve facilities, consisting of a car park and way marked trail, are open at all times. Free admission.

Guided walks are held during the summer. Please contact the Reserve for details.

Tel: +44 (0)1496 300118
e-mail: the.oa@rspb.org.uk

Near to Kilchoman Chapel at Machir Bay on Islay’s Atlantic coast.

This War Memorial is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  

High on the Oa at Upper Killeyan and overlooking the sea in which 266 Americans died when the HMS Tuscania was torpedoed on February 5 1918.

The monument is shaped like a lighthouse and was built by the Government of The United States on the 400ft cliffs, seven miles from where the ship went down.

It is reachable by a signed footpath from the car parking at Upper Killeyan.

A very successful, award winning Museum housed in the former Free Church at the entrance to Port Charlotte village.

Huge library of photgraphs and historical artefacts from Islay’s past life as well as regularly changing exhibits.

The church vestry houses both the extensive library and most of the archaeological material. A gallery has been constructed at one end to act as an office and store.

Well worth a visit.

Port Charlotte  Isle of Islay, PA48 7TX

Website: www.islaynaturalhistory.org       Tel: 01496 850288

The Natural History Visitor Centre, in Port Charlotte, is open from Easter to the end of October. The opening hours are Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and Saturdays in June-August 10am-4pm. Tickets are valid for a whole week.
The Centre contains exhibits and information relating to the island’s geology, flora and fauna and has an extensive reference library. A computer database of natural history records is available for browsing. The laboratory houses marine and freshwater tanks as well as numerous hands-on activities for all the family. Outdoor activity sessions for families are held twice weekly in July and August.
Monthly film or slideshows are held throughout the year given by local and visiting naturalists.

An old ruined chapel within Kilchiaran Bay, roofless but much of the stonework has been restored to make the building safe.

Sited opposite Kilchiaran Farm on the road to Portnahaven

Only two stones of this pre-Christian stone circle on the Atlantic coast of the Rhinns were ever placed in an upright position, though all the stones and the ’slots’ for each stone are still in evidence.

The circle was apparently abandoned in a hurry and nobody knows why. Ground’s a bit boggy so make sure you wear suitable footwear. Situated to left of the road between Cultoon Farm and Kelsay Farm.

midway between Kilchiarin and Portnahaven

Email: anne@tormisdale.fsnet.co.uk      Tel: 01496 860239

Rural craft shop on the Atlantic coast, midway between Kilchiarin and Portnahaven.
Handspun wools and hand knitted garments, Sticks & Staghorn items, Patchwork, Paintings, Knitting Yarns & pattern books, Jewellry, Birdboxes & much more, it’s well worth a trip out.

Open 9am-6pm daily.

Very apparent from the road leading to Portnahaven and can be clearly seen from the villages of Port Wemyss and Portnahaven.

In keeping with the majority of UK lighthouses, Orsay is fully automated.

Iron Age fort overlooking the Laggan river and the Glen Road at Mulindry and Cluanach. A very large structure now completely overgrown with grass and generally grazed by sheep.

Since the fort is on land belonging to Neriby Farm, please close all gates behind you and keep away during lambing season. If in doubt, contact Neriby Farm.

A beautiful sandy beach reachable from the footpath to Carraig Fhada (the square lighthouse visible at the entrance to Port Ellen ferry terminal) – the lighthouse was erected in 1832 by John Frederick Campbell in memory of Lady Ellinor Campbell.

The lighthouse was taken over by the Northern Lighthouse Board as an unmanned light in 1924 and converted to propane gas operation in 1963.

Prominent ruin guarding the entrance to Lagavulin Bay and occupied by the Lords of the Isles during their tenure of Finlaggan.

Owners of Lagavulin distillery, Diageo, spent a good deal of money stabilising the ruined structure to prevent it falling into the sea.

Craigens, Gruinart, Isle of Islay PA44 7PW T: 01496 850256
Email: tony.archibald@fwi.co.uk

Well equipped self catering bungalow at the head of Loch Gruinart, walled garden and off road parking near to RSPB ideal for bird watching or just a peaceful spot to unwind and relax on your holiday.

Sleeps 5
Prices (Weekly) from £339 – £373

MRS J MOTTRAM, BRIDGEND, ISLE OF ISLAY
ARGYLL PA44 7PJ
Tel:+44 (0)1496 810547

1 UNIT SELF CATERING AT BRIDGEND
Bright, well equipped detached cottage on outskirts of Bridgend, 1/2 mile from hotel & shops with views overlooking Loch Indaal. Central heating and open fire.

GRADING-4 STAR SELF CATERING
OPEN – All year.
1 BUNGALOW:ROOMS-PUBLIC 2/BED 3:SLEEPS 5

Coullabus Keeper’s Cottage      Islay

Gruinart, Bridgend PA44 7PX T: 01496 850 652
Website: www.keeperscottageislay.co.uk

The orgiginal cottage dates back to the late 1800’s and has been completely modernised and extended to accommodate six persons. The cottage is set in a beautiful, peaceful, rural location, appromimately one mile from the RSPB at Gruinart. Furnished and equipped to a high standard with fridge, washing machine and dishwasher to provide modern comforts. The large lounge has colourTV/DVD with freeview channels and a music system. For the cooler evening there is electric central heating and a welcoming open fire to relax infront of, perhaps with one of Islay’s excellents malts.
There is a large entrance hall of which there are three bedrooms. One double, two twins, a bathroom and separate shower room and dining room. A secluded garden adds to the privacy of the cottage where you can watch the wildlife go about its business. Bed linen and towels included. Pets welcome.

Claggan Farm House      Islay

Bridgend, Isle Of Islay PA44 7PZ
T: 01295 670371

Claggan farmhouse stands in three quarters of its own grounds. Surrounded by farmland down a drive 400 metres from the road with a view of the sea. It is a spacious holiday home suitable for two families. Six good sized twin bedrooms, five with hand basins. Two bathrooms with hand basins & wc & one shared room with hand basin & wc, lounge siting room with an open fire. TV, Video and DVD player lounge playroom with ping pong, football & billiard table, & TV. A large utility/drying room. Centrally heated by a £1 coin meter. Carpeted throughout.

MR W MURRAY, CLACHAN, BOWMORE
ISLE OF ISLAY, ARGYLL PA43 7JF
Tel: +44 (0)1496 810440

2 UNIT SELF CATERING AT BOWMORE
Central location 2 km from Bowmore, overlooking Loch Indaal to Rhinns of Islay. Centrally heated, fully furnished and equipped. Doorstep birdwatching.

GRADING -1-2 STAR SELF CATERING
OPEN – All Year.
2 COTTAGES:ROOMS-PUBLIC 1/BED 1-2: SLEEPS 4-6

Kilchoman House Cottages      Islay

Kilchoman PA49 7UY T: 01496 850 382
Website: www.islaycottages.com

Kilchoman House Cottages are situated within their own grounds on the West coast of Islay, close to a mile long sandy beach. The cottages are surrounded by farmland and approached through the famous Machir on fully tarmac roads.

Kilchoman House Cottages are an ideal base for bird watching, walking, cycling, fishing in the local lochs, or better still, just relaxing and doing nothing! Next door at Rockside Farm is Kilchoman Distillery and its visitors’ centre and café, along with Rockside Trekking Centre.

Port Charlotte PA48 7TXT: 01496 850 434
Website: www.ileach.co.uk/calasith

1 UNIT SELF CATERING AT PORT CHARLOTTE Modernised comfortable house in picturesque village. Sandy beach, shops and Hotel all nearby, Ideal for
fishing, horse-riding, golf and bird watching or just relaxing on the patio.

GRADING -3 STAR SELF CATERING
OPEN – All Year
1 HOUSE: ROOMS-PUBLIC 2/BED 4: SLEEPS 6

Octomore Farm      Islay

Port Charlotte PA48 7UDT: 01496 850 235
Website: www.octomorefarm.com

Two self catering cottages above the beautiful village of Port Charlotte, within easy walking distance. Stunning views of Lochindaal and beyond. Both cottages are fitted to a high standard and are warm and welcoming.
Distillery Cottage STB 4 star
Farm Cottage STB 3 star
Open all year
Well behaved pets welcome

Port Charlotte PA49 7UY T: 01496 850 289
Website: www.calaseimh-islay-holidayhome.co.uk

A self-catering property with four bedrooms (sleeping 7/8 people), Cala Seimh is situated by the sea in the centre of the village of Port Charlotte ,within a stone’s throw of the pier. Recently refurbished with well-equipped kitchen diner and sitting room with a wonderful outlook over Lochindaal, the house is an ideal base from which to explore the island. All mod coms, internet point.
Contact: Elizabeth Wilson, lizonka@mac.com, +390119050719; local contact: Alison Hock 07917571428, alisonhock@hotmail.co.uk; Catherine Wilson, 01496850289
Bookings from Saturday to Saturday. Weekly rental:£425-£500

Kintra Farm      Islay

Port Ellen PA42 7AT T: 01496 302 051
Website: www.kintrafarm.co.uk

Kintra Farm is situated in a stunning location beside miles and miles of sandy beach, rocky inlets and moorland.

We offer you space and we offer you freedom. We have gorgeous cottages, great camping and comfortable B&B – all in a spectacular setting

The cross is reckoned to be the finest surviving example of a Celtic high cross in the world, set in the grounds of the ruined Kildalton Chapel.

The cross is rumoured to have been carved by monks from Iona off the coast of Mull, during the time of St Columba.

Sited on the road past Ardbeg distillery. Signposted.

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

Ballygrant PA45 7QWT: 01496 840 668
Website: www.kilmeny.co.uk

Set in the heart of Islay, Kilmeny Country house commands outstanding views over hill and glen. Each guest bedroom is spacious and is ensuite with both bath and shower. The guest sitting room is warm and welcoming throughout the day, and has a wide range of maps and reference books to help you discover Islay.

Varied breakfast, with homade fayre all made in the Kilmeny kitchen is a speciality. Dinner is offered on certain weekdays featuring the best of Islay’s produce, all carefully cooked by the owner, Margaret. With malt whisky distilleries in every direction, a countryside location teeming with wildlife, and Finlaggan, the centre of the Lordship of the Isles a mere 10 minutes away, Kilmeny is ideally situated.

Jamieson Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7HLT: 01496 810 597
Email: lambethguesthouse@tiscali.co.uk

Family run guest house. Ideally situated in Bowmore nice and central to explore Islay and all it has to offer! Fully en-suite all mod cons. Dinner by arrangement. Highland hospitality at its best! Why not come and see for yourselves!!

Port Ellen PA42 7AT T: 01496 302 051
Website: www.kintrafarm.co.uk

Kintra Farm is situated in a stunning location beside miles and miles of sandy beach, rocky inlets and moorland.

We offer you space and we offer you freedom. We have great camping as well as gorgeous cottages and comfortable B&B – all in a spectacular setting.

HR SCOTT ‘CALADH SONA’
53 FREDERICK CRESCENT, PORT ELLEN ARGYLL  PA42 7BD
Tel/Fax +44 (0)1496 302694
e-mail: hamish.scott@lineone.net

3 BEDROOM B and B
Comfortable, centrally heated, ensuite accommodation, situated on Port Ellen’s Leodamus Bay, 200 metres from the Ferry Terminal, at the same time within the village and all its amenities. Three world famous distilleries are within five kilometres radius – discuss distilling with your host, retired master distiller, Ardbeg. Ideal base for hill walking, cycling, golfing, fishing, horse riding and bird watching.   We are happy to organise your distillery tours, bicycle hire etc. Friendly welcome assured. Satellite TV and free Wi-Fi available 

GRADING:  3 STAR B and B
OPEN: March – October,  ROOMS: 3 Twin /Double- 2 ensuite, 1 private,   1 Apartment Suite, ensuite
PRICES: from £32.00 per person per night
German spoken.

Bridgend, Isle of Islay PA44 7PBT: 01496 810212
Website: www.bridgend-hotel.com

Comfortable Hotel situated in its own garden in picturesque village. Enjoy peaceful location and good food, based on local produce. Private facilities, telephone, TV, hair dryers, tea/coffee making facilities.

10 BEDROOMED HOTEL
GRADING-3 STAR HOTEL
OPEN – All Year.
ROOMS-2S/3D/3T/2F All ensuite

Bruichladdich Distillery      Islay

Bruichladich, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA49 7UN

T:01496 850 190 Website: www.bruichladdich.com

Purpose built in 1881 by the Harvey brothers this is one of the few privately-owned, Scottish distilling companies left.

All aspects of whisky making happen on the one busy site from barley to bottle in this beautifully simple, un-modernised, Victorian distillery.

800,000 litres are distilled annually from 100% Scottish grown barley, 50% Organically and 50% Islay grown, from 24 different farms, over 8 varieties and 4 peating levels – all 100% naturally bottled on Islay, without chill-filtration or colouring.

Unique features include 1 hour tour, huge open top mash tun, the one and only “Ugly Betty” still, quarter deck viewing platform, bottling hall and distillery shop ‘fill your own’ Valinch bottling.

Kilchoman Distillery visitor centre & Cafe      Islay

Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich PA49 7UT T:01496 850 011
Website: www.kilchomandistillery.com

April to October
Monday to Saturday
Shop and Cafe open 10.00am – 5.00pm
Tours – 11.00am & 3pm

November to March
Monday to Friday
Shop and Cafe open 10.00am – 5.00pm
Tours – 11.00am & 3pm

We recommend that groups of ten and over contact us at the distillery to arrange tours/lunch

Bowmore Distillery      Islay

School Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JS T: 01496 810441
Website: www.www.bowmore.com

Easter – June
Monday – Saturday 09.00 – 17.00
Tours 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.00

July and August
Monday – Saturday 09.00 – 17.00 Sunday 12:00 – 16:00
Tours Mon-Sat 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.00Sunday 13:00, 14:00

September – Easter
Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.00 Saturday 09.00 – 12.00
Tours Mon-Fri: 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.00 Sat: 10.00

Admission:
Guided tours £4 per adult, £2 concession, free for Under 18’s.
Craftman’s Tours £40.00 per adult (Available Monday – Thursday by prior appointment).

Tel: +44 (0)1496 302244
Fax: +44 (0)1496 302040
Website: www.ardbeg.com
e-mail: oldkiln@ardbeg.com  

Easter to end of September
Shop Open Monday to Friday 10:00 – 15:00
Tours at 10:30, 12:00 and 15:00

October to Easter
Shop Open Monday to Friday 10:.00 17:00
Tours at 10:30 and 15:00
JUNE TO AUGUST OPEN SEVEN DAYS

OLD KILN CAFE – Open all year Monday to Friday 10:00 17:00
JUNE TO AUGUST OPEN SEVEN DAYS