Top Things to do in Islay
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The 8 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Islay, Scotland
The Isle of Islay spans 240 square miles, with an impressive 130 miles of coastline. The island is famous for its malt whiskies, and there are eight distilleries on the island. To be sure, many people visit the Isle to tour distilleries and "appreciate" whisky, but the wildlife and scenery are also a big draw. Bird-watching is particularly popular through the year. Just don't try to squeeze it in after a distillery tour or two. Looking through binoculars has been known to make some people woozy, especially after whisky.
Restaurants in Islay
1. Kayak Wild Islay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 120 reviews
Guided Sea Kayak tours based around Port Ellen, Isle of Islay. We also offer guided Fat Bike tours too
2. Kilchoman Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
Kilchoman Distillery is a family run, independently owned single malt whisky distillery on Islay. It was the first to be opened on the island in over 124 years and is currently the only distillery producing whisky entirely on the island from barley that is grown on Rockside Farm, malted, distilled, matured and bottled on site. It is the smallest distillery and offers regular tours throughout the day. A cafe serving light lunches, homemade cakes and fresh tea and coffee is also open during the hours of 10am - 4.45pm. Advanced bookings for tours are encouraged to avoid disappointment.
Reviewed By Dreamer373988
Would like to thank the staff at the distillery for giving us a great tour,this was my birthday treat and it was great to see the whole process from grain to the the bottling it was amazing & the tasting was great I also would recommend the cafe as the food was excellent & very reasonable, also machair bay is just down the road and it's worth a visit,all going well will be back soon for a few more tasters ????
3. Bunnahabhain Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 496 reviews
Reviewed By Intensivewine
What a great tour - we visited a lot of distillers and this was our last on the island. Fantastic stories and kept giving us new info. Best sherry drams on the island - generous and fantastic range!
4. Islay Woollen Mill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
The Islay Woollen Mill is situated just off the main Port Askaig road near Bridgend. The Mill is owned and run by Gordon and Sheila Covell and produces an excellent range of top quality woven fabrics, much in demand by the Hollywood film industry. Islay Woollen Mill designs were featured in Braveheart starring Mel Gibson, Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks and Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson. The Mill shop is open from Monday to Saturday and features a wide selection of both Woollen Mill products and quality souvenirs of Islay. Opening times are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm. Should you visit Islay, stopping at the Islay Woollen Mill is as necessary as touring a distillery.
5. Finlaggan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By Purpledancinglion - Stewarton, United Kingdom
Well worth a visit to this historic settlement. Unfortunately the visitor centre wasnt open as we visited on the first sunday in November. so missed the VR experience. Despite this well worth our time. ground was pretty marshy, walking boots were a good choice of foot wear.
6. Kildalton Cross
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Reviewed By 0Pete_23 - Dartford, United Kingdom
Part of ancient history you can sense the celts all around you as you wander through the ruins of the isolated church. The monolithic cross which dates back to the 8th century is one of the best preserved in Scotland and the cross itself is worth a careful study. If you have time and the weather is kind to you a wander around the area is worthwhile.
7. Islay House Community Gardens
8. American Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By johnboyPeterborough
The walk from the car park to the monument is around a mile and although the day was a bit wet and very windy it was a good bracing walk The views back across the land and out to sea are superb particularly the raw and wild beauty of the Mull of Oa The monument itself which commemorates the several hundred lives lost from 2 troop ships in 1918 is very impressive. It was built by the American Red Cross and honouring their military is something the Americans seem to do particularly well
