ENTERTAINMENT

FISHING

                There are 13 fly fishing lochs on the island as well as a salmon river and miles of sea coastline to fish.  If that’s not enough you can also charter a local boat to take you out to the deeper waters of the sea/loch.

Boat hire and day permits for Loch Gorm are available from your property manager at £15.00/day.

There are two stables offering pony trekking.

Rockside farm, Tel: - 01496 850 231 is just a mile from your cottage and Ballivicar Trekking Centre is just outside

Port Ellen, Tel: - 01496 302 251

PONY TREKKING

CAR HIRE

Car hire is available from D&N Mackenzie, The Garage, Glenegedale. Tel: - +44 (0)1496 302 300.  It is advisable to book in advance  or  C. Macdonald (Port Ellen) for taxi/minibus hire: Tel: -+44 (0)1496 302155 e-mail

                           cmd2155@aol.com

GOLFING

The Machrie Golf Links course is 2 miles from Port Ellen on the ‘low road’ to Bowmore.

CYCLE HIRE

There are various cycle hire shops on Islay.

Post Office, Main St. Bowmore, Tel: - 01496 810 366/262;  Cycle Hire, Main St Port Charlotte, Tel: - 01496 850 488; Cyber Cafe, Mansefield Pl. Port Ellen, Tel: - 01496 30 2693

BEACHES

Islay has over 130 miles of coastline and features many  beaches, the closest to Loch Gorm  cottages being Machir (2 miles).  It should be noted that due to strong currents and sea tides bathing and watersports are not recommended on many of them.  Areas within Loch Indaal however are generally considered safe

BIRD WATCHING

The RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart is really just on the other side of Loch Gorm (approx. 3 miles) and the Islay Wildlife Information Centre, Port Charlotte 01496 850 288

During the holiday and festival season the local pubs/hotels usually have live music and a good ‘crack’ can be had by all. Check the Ileach,

our local newspaper for what’s on while you are here.

WALKING

There are various walk guides available from the Tourist Information Office in Bowmore, Tel: - 01496 810 254. Numerous walks for various abilities can be arranged. Examples of these can be found at walk islay

If  it’s people or history that is your thing then try The Finlaggan Trust, The Museum of Islay life and The Columba Centre       

HERITAGE

WHISKY

There are seven major distilleries on the Island.  All of which run guided tours throughout the summer, some through the winter too.  These are: -

Ardbeg

Bowmore

Bunnahabhain

Bruichladdich

Caol Ila

Lagavulin

Laphroaig

There is also the latest baby micro distillery Kilchoman and not so far away Jura

Whatever your interest, there’s something on Islay to grab it!

For other Islay information and sites visit Islay info.com

Web design and maintenance by monty@saligo.co.uk