Travel
By Car
Having taken the Caledonian Macbrayne car ferry to Islay and arrived at either of the two ports (Port Ellen in the south or Port Askaig in the north) Islay is pretty easy to get about by car. In fact it’s probably the most practical way to do so. Those of you intending to travel to Jura are advised that the ferry from Islay to Jura leaves from Port Askaig. For details of the Jura ferry times, please click here
There is a direct passenger ferry from the mainland running in summer months contact: Jura Ferry , Tel: 07768 450000
Bear in mind however, that many of the roads on Islay, and definitely the case on Jura, are single track. If you meet traffic coming in the opposite direction, use the marked passing places to allow overtaking. Try and anticipate oncoming traffic and make the effort to move into a passing place if you are nearer than the other driver. If you’re here on holiday, please make allowances for the fact that many of the islanders are travelling to or from work; don’t hold them up by hogging the road.
The pot ale from the distilleries is transported to a tank at Caol Ila near Port Askaig by large tanker trucks and many of the local articulated trucks travel the very narrow single track roads such as that to Bunnahabhain. Please drive with due care and attention. There are filling stations at Port Ellen, Bowmore, Bridgend, Port Askaig, and Port Charlotte. Prices are likely to be higher than those of the mainland.
By Bus
The local bus service on Islay is operated by Mundells Transport based at Auchnaglach near Keills. The buses meet most of the incoming ferries, and it is therefore practical to leave your car at Kennacraig and travel to Islay as a foot passenger. However the bus service on Islay does not meet the frequency of many mainland services and it may not be practical to travel to the outer reaches of the island if you are relying on Islay’s bus service. Jura is served by the Jura Coach Company. For details of the bus services on both Islay and Jura, please click here.
The buses only travel the mainroads between Port Ellen, Bowmore, Bridgend and Port Askaig, as well as the Rhinns of Islay through Bridgend, Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Portnahaven. There is also a Post Bus service to Portnahaven but the frequency of this service is not any greater than that of the service buses. None of the outlying areas other than those mentioned above are accessible by bus. For further information on bus times, please contact the Visit Scotland Information Centre in Bowmore, telephone +44 (0)1496 810254 or fax +44 (0)1496 810363 or e-mail us.
Car Hire
Cars can reserved online to be delivered to either of the ferry ports or the Airport, contact: Islay Car Hire , Tel: +44(0)1496 810 544 Mob: 07824 665 099
By Bicycle
Islay is an excellent place to get about by bicycle, whether you bring your own or hire one when you get here. Probably one of the best ways to sightsee on Islay and/or Jura since it’s very easy to stop and admire the scenery.
Islay is relatively flat apart from the 14% hill on arrival at Port Askaig or similar gradient at Kilchiaran on the coast road between Port Charlotte and Portnahaven. The roads are far quieter than on the mainland, even in the height of summer, and some cycle spares and repairs can be had from Islay Bike in Bowmore. Only thing to watch out for is the perennial wind. There is nothing between Islay and the eastern seaboard of Canada apart from the Atlantic Ocean. And it’s windy.
Walking
There are a number of people getting about Islay every year simply by walking. However, if you plan to visit a number of sites on Islay, including the distilleries, this is not really a practical option
By Taxi
There are a number of taxi and minibus services available for hire on Islay. This is a practical option for small parties of people intent on visiting the islands’ distilleries and historic sites. For further information, contact the Tourist Information Centre, The Square, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll. Telephone +44 (0)1496 810254 or e-mail us.