Everything Islay Has to Offer On Your Doorstep

The most recognised medicinal whisky in the world, Laphroaig holds a Royal Warrant and sits directly on the shore of Loch Laphroaig east of Port Ellen. Its Friends of Laphroaig scheme gives every visitor their own square foot of Islay peat.

Home of the iconic 16-year-old a deep, smoky, complex whisky that consistently tops global polls. The distillery sits in a sheltered bay near Port Ellen, with the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle visible from the visitor centre. One of the most atmospheric settings.

The cult favourite. Ardbeg produces some of the most intensely peated whisky in Scotland, and its annual Ardbeg Day, held during Fèis Ìle draws visitors from around the world. The distillery café is one of the best places to eat on the island.

The oldest distillery on Islay, established in 1779, sits at the head of Loch Indaal in the island's main town. Bowmore produces a balanced, accessible whisky that bridges the peated and unpeated styles. The Number 1 Vaults, partly below sea level, are worth visiting.

The progressive Hebridean distiller. Bruichladdich is unpeated, irreverent, and proudly independent — its Classic Laddie is one of the most approachable Islay malts. Also home to The Botanist gin and Octomore, the most heavily peated whisky in the world.

Caol Ila sits above the Sound of Islay with views across to the Paps of Jura arguably the most dramatic distillery setting on the island. Its lightly peated whisky is one of the most widely used in Johnnie Walker blends, the single malt is well worth seeking.

Reached by a single-track road along the north-east coast, Bunnahabhain produces an unusually unpeated whisky — maritime, rich and complex. The setting, on a small bay with views to the Paps of Jura, is one of the quietest spots on the island.

IKilchoman Farm grows its own barley at Rockside and has been producing innovative whisky since 2005. The youngest distillery on the island, its range spans the core Machir Bay and Sanaig expressions through to experimental small-batch releases.

Opened in 2019, Ardnahoe occupies a commanding position on the north-east coast with panoramic views across the Sound of Islay. Its modern visitor centre is one of the best on the island and early releases are already attracting serious collectors

A wide arc of white sand on the west coast, backed by dunes and machair grassland. One of the finest beaches in Scotland — and rarely busy. The Atlantic swell makes it unsuitable for swimming but perfect for walking. A short drive from Kilchoman distillery.

A wilder, more dramatic beach than Machir Bay — rocky outcrops frame the sand and the Atlantic rollers arrive uninterrupted from three thousand miles away. The light here in the evening is extraordinary. Not for swimming, for watching.

The Oa is the wild southwestern tip of Islay — a high moorland peninsula of cliffs, eagles, and almost total solitude. The American Monument at the Mull of Oa commemorates two troopships lost off the coast in 1918. One of the finest walks on the island.

The wide sea loch that divides Islay almost in two. Islay House sits above it at, the views across to the Rhinns peninsula change with every weather. Waders and wildfowl work the tidal flats at low tide. Sunsets here in October are among the best in Scotland.

Finlaggan, on a small loch in the centre of the island, was the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles — the most powerful clan in medieval Scotland. The ruins of the great hall and chapel sit on two small islands connected by a causeway.