isle of islay distillery tours

A Guide to Whisky Distillery Tours on the Isle of Islay

Slated as the ‘Queen of the Hebrides,’ the Isle of Islay is a popular destination for whisky enthusiasts and a mecca for lovers of single malt Scotch.

The island is part of the Southern Hebrides and is situated off the west coast of Scotland, where it’s famous for its peaty, smoky whiskies, which are a result of the local peat and water used in the distillation process by distilleries such as Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, and Ardnahoe.

Islay Whisky Distillery Tours Map

• Bruichladdich
• Bunnahabhain

Islay Whisky Distillery Tours

All of Islay’s whisky tours offer more or less the same experience, so which ones you visit will depend on your love for the spirit. Expect to pay a minimum of £10 per person, which can rise to £60 or more depending on the number of tastings you’ll get afterwards, with the cheaper tours offering a sample from the distillery’s core range and the upper-tier tours offering additional samples from more expensive bottlings.

Tours generally last around an hour, but some distilleries like Laphroaig and Ardbeg include island walks where you’ll get to explore the surrounding landscape with a guide before grabbing a bite to eat, in addition to being shown around each stage of whisky production.

My advice here is to choose your favourite distillery and go for the most expensive tour, as you’ll gain an insight into Islay that you’ll never forget. But if you’re intending to visit other distilleries afterwards, either go for the cheapest tour or just stick to the shop and café.

You honestly won’t see anything new if you do a tour at every single distillery, and by the 3rd or 4th, you’re going to get a bit bored unless you’re a die-hard whisky fanatic. That said, if I were pushed to say what my favourite tour was, I’d have to go with Ardbeg.

They have a set-up that’s a little more polished than the other distilleries and the coastline is lovely in either direction, so you can go for a good walk afterwards, which is perfect for blowing out the cobwebs and clearing whisky-infused brains.

If you’re intending to do a whisky pilgrimage, there are four parts of the island where you’ll find the distilleries:

• Port Ellen is on the southeast corner of the island.
• Port Askaig is on the northeast corner of the island.
• Port Charlotte is on the northwest corner of the island.
• Bowmore is near the centre of the island.

All of them are easy to get to, but you’ll need a car to fully explore Islay, which makes having a drink and driving to the next site a complete no-no (there’s a zero-tolerance drink-driving policy in Scotland). However, the three most-visited distilleries of Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg are located quite close to each other, and as there’s a walkway from the town of Port Ellen to each distillery, you can easily mix a hike along Islay’s gorgeous coastline with a selection of drams along the way.

One last thing to note with all of these Islay distillery tours is that although children are permitted on most of them, you’ll find some have minimum-age restrictions, especially those that offer experiences like the tours at Bruichladdich, where you get to create your own cocktails.

Ardbeg Distillery Tour

• Founded: 1815
• Pronounced: Ard-beg.
• Flavour: heavily peated. Citrus-fruit character.
• Recommended whisky: Ardbeg Ten Year Old
• Address: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA42 7DU
• Website: Ardbeg

Ardbeg distillery is worth a visit not only for its tours but also for The Old Kiln Café which serves generous portions of reasonably priced food. Not only that, but the distillery offers the most generous whisky samples of all the distilleries I visited on Islay, plus they give you money off gifts purchased in the shop after you’ve taken the tour.

The location of the distillery at the southern tip of the island is stunning, and there are some amazing coastal walks between Ardbeg and Ardmore, with the elevated views from Ardmore Point being one of the most memorable moments of my time on Islay. If I had a bit more (ok, a lot more) money, I’d love to go back and book a week at the distillery’s Seaview Cottage, which is a fully renovated house that used to be the manager’s home but is now a holiday rental.

The cottage overlooks the sea and features a lovely private garden, but at well over £1,000 a week, it’s a lot more expensive than the cottages you’ll find elsewhere. My recommendation? Check out Airbnb instead, as you’ll often find bargain luxury holiday homes for a fraction of the price of an equivalent hotel stay.

Bowmore Distillery Tour

• Founded: 1779
• Pronounced: Bow-mor
• Flavour: light smokiness. Fruity character.
• Recommended whisky: Bowmore 15 Year
• Address: School St, Bowmore, Islay, PA43 7JS
• Website: Bowmore

Bowmore is the biggest and busiest village on Islay, and it’s also the island’s administrative capital, so it has more things to do than in many of the other distillery villages. From the centre, you’ll find a few grocery shops and gift shops along with essentials like a chemist, so it’s a good place to stock up on supplies before venturing elsewhere.

Located almost in the centre of the village, the Bowmore distillery is a terrific place to visit. If your partner or kids are tired of distillery tours, they can have a splash in the 25-meter pool at the Bowmore Leisure Centre, which is just a 5-minute walk up the road.

Inside the visitor centre you’ll find a shop and a museum, but the highlight is the tasting bar upstairs, which features big, comfy chairs and an enormous window that opens up to a spectacular panorama across Loch Indaal. I splashed out on my visit and got myself a tasting tray flight, which included four drams paired with handmade chocolates, which were delicious and a great appetiser for the tour.

Perhaps the best thing about the tour was being able to try a couple of drams straight from the cask in Bowmore’s legendary No. 1 warehouse, and they’ll even fill a 100-ml bottle so you can take a sample home with you as a reminder of your visit.

Bruichladdich Distillery Tour

• Founded: 1881
• Pronounced: Bru-e-clad-e
• Flavour: lightly peated. Caramel sweetness.
• Recommended whisky: The Classic Laddie
• Address: Islay, Argyll, PA49 7UN
• Website: Bruichladdich

The Bruichladdich distillery is located opposite Bowmore on the other side of Loch Indaal, which is very easy to get to as you just have to follow the A847 towards the village of Port Charlotte. The distillery sits on the roadside overlooking the sea, and there’s a small area on the shore where the kids can go rooting about in rock pools if you’re hoping to get a bit of peace and quiet during the all-important whisky tasting.

One suggestion for whisky-weary partners is to drive a couple of miles down the road to Port Charlotte, which has a museum about Islay that’s full of interesting little knick-nacks and collections of artefacts from the island’s past. The displays chronicle island life over the course of the first human inhabitants 12,000 years ago to the present day.

Bruichladdich, meanwhile, is worth a visit for both whisky and gin drinkers as they produce two of Scotland’s favourite tipples: Octomore whisky and The Botanist gin. The Botanist is absolutely delicious with a healthy dash of tonic and works incredibly well in a cocktail, but it pales into insignificance against the mighty Octomore, a whisky that’s proudly touted as being the most heavily peated whisky on the market.

The tour takes you around the Victorian buildings, where you’ll discover the process of making these spirits, and just like all the other distilleries on this list, you’ll get a history lesson and a whisky tasting session afterwards.

Aside from the spirits, Bruichladdich has done an excellent job with their merchandising which is sold in the best gift shop on the island. The collection includes T-shirts, hoodies, backpacks, coats, and much more. You’re bound to find something you like, but be warned, it’s quite expensive.

Bunnahabhain Distillery Tour

• Pronounced: Bun-a-hav-an
• Flavour: unpeated—soft and fruity. Peated: heavy smokiness.
• Recommended whisky: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
• Address: Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Argyll, A46 7RP
• Website: Bunnahabhain

You’ll find Bunnahabhain at the northwest end of Islay, 5 miles north of Port Askaig. It’s not the easiest distillery to find and you’ll have to navigate a narrow single-track road to get there, but the drive is stunning, and once at the end of the road you’ll find stunning views of the Isle of Jura from Bunnahabhainn Bay.

Its remoteness means that a visit to this distillery feels more like a pilgrimage than a visit to a tourist attraction, and it certainly feels less touristy than a visit to Bowmore, which is perhaps why they’ve priced the tours a few pounds cheaper than the others on this list.

Fans of this whisky will be pleased to know you can fill your own bottle from the cask in the visitor centre and even add your own label (although you can also do this at Bowmore).

There are several wallet-friendly options including a Distillery Production Tour that lasts 50 minutes for around £15 per person, as well as a Cask Strength Tour, which costs around £40 for four premium drams.

For the ultimate experience, you might like to join the most expensive tour which presents samples of some of the distillery’s most exclusive drams. I’ve heard from someone who took this tour that the whisky is nothing short of spectacular, but you’ll need deep pockets as it’s currently (as of 2024) around £275 for a 1-hour session.

Caol Ila Distillery Tour

• Founded: 1846
• Pronounced: cull-e-la
• Flavour: unpeated—smooth and sweet. Peated: light smokiness.
• Recommended whisky: Caol Ila 12 Year Old
• Address: Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA46 7RL
• Website: Caol Ila

Caol Ila is the nearest distillery to Port Askaig and is easily reached from a single-track road off the A846, where you’ll get fantastic views of the ‘Paps’ (mountains on the Isle of Jura) once you reach the shores of the Sound of Islay.

Although Caol Ila still produces single malts, other whisky producers use the majority of the spirit in their blends so they don’t quite have the same cult following as traditional whisky producers like Ardbeg. Even so, their single malts are absolutely delicious, if a little on the expensive side, and you’ll get the chance to sample a couple of drams on the Caol Ila tour, where you’ll also be given a complimentary Glencairn glass at the end.

I have to say that out of all the tours I did during my visit to Islay, Caol Ila had the most enthusiastic tour guides. It’s not quite as polished as some of the other tours, but it’s definitely a wee bit more enjoyable, even if some of the buildings are a bit bland in that boring, grey, 1960s office-block style.

One suggestion I’ve got for you is to combine a visit to this distillery with a ferry ride over to Jura. The journey takes less than 10 minutes, and as the ferry operates throughout the day, you can hop on and hop off at your leisure. To get there, simply head to Port Askaig and follow the signs to the ferry terminal, where you’ll also find the ticket office.

Jura is a lovely wee island that’s quite different from Islay as it’s more barren, but it’s scenic in its own way and has a whisky distillery which you’ll find in the village of Craighouse on the island’s eastern side. You can learn more about Jura here: Isle of Jura .

Kilchoman Distillery Tour

• Founded: 2005
• Pronounced: kil-ho-man
• Flavour: rich and fruity smokiness.
• Recommended whisky: Kilchoman Machir Bay
• Address: Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA49 7UT
• Website: Kilchoman

You’ll find Kilchoman on the western peninsula of Islay, midway between Machir Bay and Loch Gorm, which makes for a nice change from the usual sea-battered warehouses you’ll find elsewhere.

Although there’s not a huge amount of activity in the parish of Kilchoman, it’s located in a lovely area that’s a mix of rugged coastline, wild grassland, and fertile farmland. To make the most of a visit, I recommend a walk from Saligo Bay and along the coastline before heading back inland towards the loch and the distillery.

Kilchoman is the only farm distillery on Islay, which means they perform the entire whisky-making process on-site, from growing the barley to malting it, fermenting it, distilling it, and bottling it. It’s a whisky-making style that became a lost art once commercialization took over Scotch whisky in the 1800s, so it’s inspiring to see a team dedicated to reviving the traditional methods of whisky production.

Because Kilchoman is a new distillery, you don’t get quite the same sense of history that you do when taking tours at places like Ardbeg and Bowmore, but it’s as interesting due to the fact that you get to see the entire process, from grain to bottle, in one visit.

The tour is pretty good, as is the gift shop, which is small but has good-quality gifts, while the cafe has a great selection of home-cooked food. The Cullen Skink, in particular, is excellent (the best I’ve tasted outside of Cullen ) and the coffee is delicious, plus you can get a drop of Kilchoman whisky stirred in for good measure.

Book a 4-day tour of Islay & the whisky coast

Lagavulin Distillery Tour

• Founded: 1816
• Pronounced: lag-a-voo-lin
• Flavour: seaside smokiness.
• Recommended whisky: Lagavulin 16 Year Old
• Address: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA42 7DZ
• Website: Lagavulin

Lagavulin distillery is located just down the road from Ardbeg in Lagavulin Bay, and it’s impossible to miss as it’s sited right on the side of the A846, and I mean that literally – the main building sits inches from the roadside. It’s not the biggest distillery on Islay by any means, but it oozes character and history.

As soon as you walk through the entrance, you’re hit with a wood-panelled corridor that looks like those 1920s-style train stations you sometimes see in the Highlands, and you can easily imagine what it must have been like 100 years ago.

From the entrance, which houses the gift shop and ticket desk, you head to a tasting room, which basically looks like an old-fashioned living room with big, comfy chairs, bookcases, and an old coal burner. On a cold and miserable day, I can’t think of a better place to sit with a warming dram in hand. There are a few samples to try, but you won’t go far wrong with a Lagavulin tasting kit which offers samples that you won’t find in the shops and is a great introduction to this historic distillery.

The tour is good and you get a complimentary nosing glass as a keepsake, as well as a discount in the shop. There’s no café at Lagavulin, but you can easily combine a visit with nearby Ardbeg which has a great café, or you can drive down the road in the opposite direction to Port Ellen, which has a decent food store.

At the end of a tour, you might like to explore the bay, which is a haven for wildlife. There’s a small ruined castle on the northern side that looks out across the sea towards the small islands of Texa in the near distance and Gigha near Jura, or you could just as easily drive to The Oa, which is a wild promontory that’s home to a windswept RSPB nature reserve.

Laphroaig Distillery Tour

• Pronounced: La-froyg
• Flavour: heavy medicinal tang.
• Recommended whisky: Laphroaig Quarter Cask
• Website: Laphroaig

Laphroaig hardly needs an introduction as it’s one of the most famous single malts in the world that’s easily up there with Glenmorangie and Macallan for cult status. Accordingly, the distillery runs some of the best tours on Islay, and you can choose from general overviews that take less than an hour to four-and-a-half-hour excursions that take you on a journey into the surrounding landscape as well as give you an in-depth look inside the distillery and warehouses.

You’ll find Laphroaig on the southern edge of Islay, overlooking a small bay with a forest backdrop halfway between Port Ellen and Lagavulin. This is one of the biggest distilleries on Islay, and it’s unusual in that it has its very own water supply at the Kilbride Reservoir as well as its own peat bog.

These two elements – peat and spring water – are what give Laphroaig whisky its medicinal taste due to the peat having a very high ratio of Sphagnum moss . You’ll see these multi-coloured living carpets of moss all over Islay, and there’s a giant plot of it on the opposite side of the road from the distillery where you can go and stake out your very own honorary square foot of land at the end of your visit.

It’s a nice touch, and it means you’ll own a piece of the distillery for years to come, plus they’ll give you a complimentary dram if you ever return to see it. In addition, they hand out free tea and coffee to anyone who doesn’t want a taste of whisky.

There’s no restaurant at Laphroaig, but then, just like at Lagavulin, you can easily head in either direction up the A846 to Ardbeg or Port Ellen if you’re after a bite to eat, and The Oa is just a few miles away if you’re looking for a nice walk along the coast. The icing on the cake is that they’re very generous with their free samples. I was given a free 5cl bottle when I arrived, as I’d previously joined their Friends of Laphroaig club, another free welcome whisky in the lounge before the tour, and another 3 tasters after!

Ardnahoe Distillery Tour

I haven’t yet visited Ardnahoe so I’m not going to go into too much detail here, but it looks like it could become a very interesting distillery. This is a family-run business that only started operations in 2016, with the first runs of distillation in late 2018. But even though it’s such a new distillery, from what I’ve heard, they’re already making some very exciting spirits from their brand-new purpose-built buildings a few miles north of Port Askaig on Islay’s eastern side.

The location of the distillery is pretty much perfect, as they have their own water supply at Ardnahoe Loch across the road, and the stretch of coastline near the distillery offers stunning views across the Sound of Islay towards Jura. To take advantage of this, they’ve opened a restaurant with panoramic windows that provide uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

An Introduction to Islay

The Isle of Islay (pronounced eye-luh) is the southernmost island in the Southern Hebrides on Scotland’s west coast, lying close to the Isle of Jura and to the west of the Campbeltown peninsula. At 239 square miles, it’s quite a big island when compared to other west-coast tourist destinations like the Isle of Tiree , but it pales in comparison to Scotland’s most-visited island, Skye, which is 639 square miles and has a population of over 10,000 people.

Islay has a much smaller population of approximately 3,200, many of whom work at the nine currently operational distilleries. The rest of the islanders work in the fishing, agriculture, and tourism sectors, the latter of which has grown significantly in recent years (admittedly as a result of the popularity of the island’s distillery tours).

Unlike the barren, windswept islands of the Outer Hebrides, Islay is home to large areas of forest, and there’s a surprising amount of wildlife to see inland. Meanwhile, the beautiful golden beaches and the quaint picture-postcard villages add to the feeling that it really is Scotland in miniature.

During a visit, you’ll find that not only are there hill ranges to climb (Beinn Bheigier rises to a point of 456 metres along an undulating ridge on the east side), but there are also lots of stunning beaches to explore, like those on the impossibly scenic Machir and Saligo bays.

The majority of the islanders live in the villages from which the distilleries take their name, and although the majority of settlements don’t have much to offer tourists other than the distilleries, the island’s largest village, Bowmore, has quite a few shops in addition to lovely walks along the shores of Loch Indaal.

If you’re not too bothered by whisky, there are plenty of other things to see and do on Islay, so you don’t need to even set foot in a distillery to have a great time. Two highlights that I recommend are the Oa Peninsula, which features incredible clifftop walks, and The Big Strand which, at 7 miles, is one of the longest beaches in Scotland.

Islay Tours

The Isle of Islay is one of the best places in Scotland to experience everything that makes the country such a magical destination for tourists. There are beautiful coastlines to walk around, incredible wildlife-watching opportunities around every corner, and, of course, some of the world’s finest whiskies to taste.

It’s certainly possible to head off in any direction and hope for the best, but it makes more sense to leave the driving to a professional tour guide who can take you to the main attractions as well as the hidden gems that only the locals know about.

While there are dozens of tour operators willing to take visitors around Islay, the pick of the bunch has to be Rabbie’s. This company specialises in small group tours using mini coaches that seat no more than 16 people, so occupants get to make new friends as they explore each new destination without feeling like they’re lost in the middle of a big crowd.

Check out the itinerary below to get a feel for what you can see on a Rabbie’s tour of Islay.

Islay & The Whisky Coast 4-day Tour

Itinerary day 1:

• From Edinburgh, head to the Highlands and stop at the Trossachs National Park for food.
• Continue through the West Highlands towards the coastal town of Oban.
• Take a tour around the Oban distillery and have a seafood lunch.
• Visit Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones.
• Take the evening ferry to Islay.
• Once on Islay, head to Bowmore for overnight accommodation.

Itinerary day 2:

• Take a tour of the Bowmore distillery.
• Visit Ardnahoe Distillery for a tour and lunch.
• Visit Kilchoman distillery for a tour and a whisky tasting.
• Return to Bowmore.

Itinerary day 3:

• Visit the Ardbeg distillery for a tour and lunch.
• Visit the Laphroaig distillery.
• Explore Kildaton Church and Dunyvaig Castle.
• Visit the Lagavulin distillery for a tour and a tasting.

Itinerary day 4:

• Take the ferry back to the mainland and drive south through the Highlands.
• Stop at the village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne.
• Continue to Loch Lomond and stop for photos.
• Return to Edinburgh.

Facts About Islay Whisky

First things first, not all whiskies are created equally. Scotch is unique in that it can only be called whisky (not whiskey – note the lack of the letter e) if it has been distilled in Scotland and matured in an oak barrel for at least three years, and it can only be called a single malt if it’s produced in one distillery.

This might seem a little snobby, but for purists, it’s essential to the character of what makes Scotch what it is. That’s understandable when you consider that this spirit has been made in Scotland for over 500 years and is now one of the country’s biggest earners, accounting for 70% of all food and drink exports.

While the exact origins of Scotch whisky are unknown, it’s believed that it all started on Islay when Irish monks travelled there sometime in the 13th century, but whether or not they were the first people to use peat to dry the grain (which gives Islay whisky it’s unmistakable smokiness) is unknown.

The earliest known distillery was Bowmore, which opened its doors in 1779. Laphroaig and Lagavulin, which opened their doors in 1815 and 1816, respectively, followed Bowmore a few years later. It’s amazing when you think these distilleries are still going strong today and show no sign of losing their popularity.

The smokiness in Islay whisky comes from using peat in the malting process, and the distilleries on Islay are some of the few in Scotland that still carry out this labour-intensive task in-house. As the barley grains are spread onto grids inside hot kilns, dried peat is added to the fire which creates plumes of thick smoke that infuse with the grains (think along the lines of cooking food over a wood-burning barbeque).

The grains are then milled into a coarse flour before being mixed in hot water, with the resulting liquid distilled in giant copper pots to produce whisky. That’s a very brief overview, so see this article, The Scotch Whisky Regions , for a more in-depth explanation of the process.

There are lots of other variables that make Islay whisky so distinct, including the water source and the type of barrels used during maturation (usually American ex-bourbon casks or Spanish ex-sherry casks), but even the shape of the still can make a difference to the final taste.

In fact, the process of making Islay whisky is so exact that if a copper still has to be replaced, the exact same dings and dents in the old one are knocked into the replacement! I guess it’s this attention to detail that makes Islay whisky so difficult to copy.

Related Posts About Islay and Whisky

I’ve listed a few related posts below that you may find useful when choosing your next Islay adventure. You’ll learn a few good tips about whisky as well, so you don’t need to feel like a complete novice when you arrive on the island.

• The complete guide to visiting Islay.
• The complete guide to visiting Finlaggan.
• The complete guide to the single malt Scotch whisky regions.
• The complete guide to visiting Jura.
• The complete guide to Scotland’s airports.
• 10 easy and delicious recipes that use Scotch whisky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the isle of islay.

Islay is the southernmost island in the Southern Hebrides on Scotland’s west coast, lying close to the Isle of Jura and to the west of the Campbeltown peninsula.

What are the whisky distilleries on Islay?

Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Ardnahoe.

How much do the whisky distillery tours on Islay cost?

Expect to pay a minimum of £10 per person, which will go up to £60 or more depending on the number of tastings you’ll get afterwards, with the cheaper tours offering a sample from the distillery’s core range and the upper-tier tours offering additional samples from more expensive bottlings.

Where are the whisky distilleries on Islay?

Ardbeg : Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA42 7DU Bowmore : School St, Bowmore, Islay, PA43 7JS Bruichladdich : Islay, Argyll, PA49 7UN Bunnahabhain : Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Argyll, A46 7RP Caol Ila : Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA46 7RL Kilchoman : Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA49 7UT Lagavulin : Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA42 7DZ Laphroaig : Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA42 7DU Ardnahoe : Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, PA46 7RN

Related Posts

Tourist Advice for Visitors to the Isle of Islay

Finlaggan Visitor Guide

Isle of Islay Visitor Guide

Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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ISLAY Whisky Distillery Tours + Map: Visit ALL 9

Interested in Islay whisky distillery tours? With 9 working distilleries – all with unique seasons, hours and tours – it’s a bit tricky to plan an efficient trip to tour them all. Here’s everything you need in one place: a helpful table with 2020 visitor information, distillery summaries and suggested itineraries to plan that amazing trip.

Interested in visiting other scotch whisky distilleries? Check out SPEYSIDE Whisky Distilleries: 16 to Visit and Why .

Islay is certainly well known for its smoky peated whisky. Many of its single malts are sought-after around the world, and many are prominent in famous blends like Johnny Walker. Islay also has experimental whiskies, a farm-to-scotch distillery, and a brand-new modern distillery. It’s a fun time for Islay whisky distillery tours!

Now, visiting Islay was my husband’s pick. But Islay stole my heart. Its rugged hills, covered in sheep and shaggy highland cows. Achingly beautiful shorelines lined with proud white-washed warehouses. 

And that peated whisky. Just like the locals, Islay’s scotch whisky warms you through and through, right to your soul. (I suggest sipping it. Slowly.)

• MAP: Islay Whisky Distilleries, Sights and Accommodations  
• TABLE: Islay Whisky Distillery Tours & Visitor Information
• SOUTH Islay Whisky Distilleries: Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg

CENTRAL Islay Whisky Distillery: Bowmore

• NORTH Islay Whisky Distilleries: Coal Ila, Ardnahoe and Bunnahabhain

WEST Islay Whisky Distilleries: Bruichladdich and Kilchoman

• BONUS: Isle of Jura Distillery and Port Ellen Re-Opening

Summary and Resources

But first … 

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TIPS to tour all 9 Islay whisky distilleries:

• Book tours/tastings in advance . All Islay (and Jura) whisky distilleries have interesting special tours. Pick your favorites and plan your trip around them. Note: children aren’t allowed into production areas, and some distilleries don’t allow them on tours at all. 
• Best time to visit Islay is May to early July, during the week. In spring/early summer, Islay whisky distilleries are open more days and offer more variety of tours. Plus, the weather is sunniest and warmest. From mid-July to mid-August, some Islay distilleries close for maintenance and have reduced tour options. Also, many special tours are only offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Feis Ile/Islay Festival (last week of May): D istillery tours will change during this annual festival . If visiting during this week, check schedules in late March.
• Flights from Glasgow to Islay (via Loganair): You typically have two daily options during weekdays (arriving by 9am or 6pm) and one daily on the weekend (arriving by 9am on Saturday or 4pm on Sunday). Flights depart shortly after these arrive.
• Islay is a small island. No two distilleries are more than a 45-minute drive from each other. Bowmore is central, and the airport is about 10 minutes south of Bowmore.
• Designate a driver. Scotland has lower legal blood alcohol levels for drivers compared to other areas of the UK and the US (at .05%). So, designate a driver, use Islay’s bus system, or hire a friendly taxi to take you around. Visitor centers often give DDs a 50mL miniature to enjoy later.

MAP: Islay Whisky Distilleries, Sights and Recommended Accommodations

Get a sense of where everything is with this Islay whisky distilleries map. It includes key tourist sights and accommodations to check out.

TABLE: Islay Whisky Distillery Tours – Visitor Information

*Note: Children are generally not allowed in production areas; check details before you book.

SOUTH Islay Whisky Distilleries: Laphroaig, Lagavulin & Ardbeg  

Let’s start in south Islay, as these Islay whisky distilleries are closest to the airport and likely among your must-do tours.

The Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries are collectively known as the Kildalton Distilleries and within 5 minutes of each other. From April through October, these three Islay whisky distilleries are open 7 days a week. They also offer some very interesting tours, like a bog walk, chocolate pairing, and a hike and picnic to their water source.

About 15 minutes up the road from Ardbeg is the pretty Claggain Bay. Along the way, stop at the Kildalton Church and Cross (the oldest Celtic cross in all of Scotland).

On your way back to central Islay, stop at Mull of Oa. Drive the rugged road to the end (don’t be deterred by the single-track road that leads to the car park!). Then, make the easy 15-minute hike to the American Monument tribute to WWI sailors. Breathe in the fresh salty air and rugged cliff views.  

Suggested itinerary for South Islay whisky distillery tours:

• 10am distillers wares tour at Laphroaig (2hrs)
• Lunch and 2pm table tasting at Ardbeg
• 3pm sister whisky and chocolate tasting at Lagavulin (1hr)
• Tour Claggain Bay, Kildalton Church and Cross, and Mull of Oa

Laphroaig Distillery

Founded in 1815, Laphroaig Distillery (pronounced laFROIG) is now Islay’s best-selling scotch whisky. Its style has evolved over the years from fruity to tobacco. 

Laphroaig Distillery has a small but welcoming visitor’s center, tasting bar and museum. Its website is laphroaig.com .

Interesting special tours at Laphroaig Distillery include:

• 4.5-hour malt, maturation and memories tour (maximum 8 people; distillery tour, tasting, bottling, hike and picnic lunch; £130), offered at 11:30am.

Lagavulin Distillery

Lagavulin Distillery (pronounced lagaVOOlin) was founded in 1816 as a direct rival to its neighbor, Laphroaig. Lagavulin’s distillation process makes a “rich and meaty” spirit, by running its stills very full (reducing contact with the copper) and with a slow distillation.

Check out Lagavulin Distillery’s virtual tour by Google Street View, below! Just imagine sipping a dram in one of their comfy lounge chairs (located behind the storefront; it’s truly as cozy as it looks). Explore the grounds, still house and one of the warehouses (it’s a treasure hunt looking for open doors). For more information on touring Lagavulin Distillery, visit malts.com .

Interesting special tours at Lagavulin Distillery include:

• 1-hour sister whisky and chocolate tasting, offered Monday-Saturday at 3pm.
• 1-hour sensory experience with tasting kit (5 whisky samples and 7 aromas/flavours), offered Tuesdays/Thursdays at 1:30pm and Saturdays at 10:30am.

Ardbeg Distillery

Ardbeg Distillery opened in 1815 and is famed for being one of Islay’s most heavily peated whiskies. After closures in the 1980s-90s, The Glenmorangie Company bought Ardbeg in 1997. Ardbeg continues to produce the heavily peated whisky it’s famous for.

Ardbeg Distillery provides a very personal-style of tour with many options, depending on the season. Its cafe is a great place to grab a bite to eat, and we really enjoyed the table tastings, available between 10am-noon/2-4pm.

Now you can stay right at Ardbeg! Formerly the manager’s house, up to 6 adults can stay in this renovated Seaview Cottage on Ardbeg grounds. 

Shut-down for scheduled maintenance is in December and January ; if coming during this time, check in advance on what’s available. Details are on ardbeg.com .

Interesting special tours at Ardbeg Distillery include:

• 3-hour bog walk (includes picnic lunch; £65), offered Wednesdays at 11am.
• 1.5-hour bus top tour (bus, tastings and chocolate; £65), offered Fridays at 5:30pm.
• 1-hour C6H5OH smokin’ tasting (to learn about smoke; £35), offered Monday-Friday at 11:30am (spring/fall only).
• Table tastings at the cafe, offered 10-noon and 2-4pm.

Bowmore Distillery is the only distillery in central Islay and is located right in Bowmore. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is Islay’s first recorded distillery and second best-selling whisky.

Bowmore Distillery is one of the few distilleries in Scotland that malts some of its own barley and matures a lot of its whisky on Islay … including in the famous No. 1 Vaults that are below sea level. Its whiskies have a fruity character with light smokiness, plus a 1980s expression that’s floral.

Chances are, you’ll have to compromise one of the other suggested itineraries to tour Bowmore. This popular distillery’s 1-hour main tour and 3-hour vaults tour (weekdays only) are offered mid-morning and mid-afternoon, so you could start or end another itinerary at Bowmore. 

You can stay right on the Bowmore grounds in their very comfortable cabins. Once home to distillery workers, these cottages are now spacious and cozy 1-bedroom to 4-bedroom accommodations.

Shut-down for regular maintenance at Bowmore Distillery is mid-July to mid-August , but special tours are still available. For details, visit bowmore.com .

Interesting special tours of Bowmore Distillery include:

• 5-hour laggan, lade and legendary no.1 vaults tour (hike to water source, lunch and in-depth tour; £130), offered on specific Wednesdays/Fridays from March to September at 10:30am.

NORTH Islay Whisky Distilleries: Coal Ila, Ardnahoe & Bunnahabhain  

North Islay’s whisky distilleries are right along the Sound of Islay, with a rough rocky coastline and fantastic views of Jura. Be prepared to stop along the windy scenic road up to Bunnahabhain. On your way back to central Islay, take a 5-minute detour to visit the ruins along Loch Finlaggan, which was the seat of power for the Lords of the Isles. 

Suggested itinerary for North Islay whisky distillery tours:

• 9:30am express tour and 10am blending experience at Ardnahoe (2.5hrs), plus lunch
• 2pm maturation warehouse tasting at Bunnahabhain (1.5hrs)
• Coal Ila: Contact distillery for tour times of chocolate and whisky tasting (1hr)
• Jura: Consider the 3pm Wood, Casks and Whisky on Mon/Wed/Fri or 4pm Wee Look; give yourself about 30 minutes to get there
• Stop at Loch Finlaggan on your way back to central Islay

Coal Ila Distillery

Coal Ila Distillery (pronounced COOL-eelah) was founded in 1846 but has literally rebuilt itself a few times since then. Its “light and flinty style” comes from low fills in the stills. The distillery is located down a steep bank from the road, with very pretty views of the Sound of Islay towards the Isle of Jura.

Coal Ila is the largest producing distillery on Islay. It produces both peated and unpeated single malts, and is a key ingredient in Diageo’s blends (i.e. Johnnie Walker). But, if you’ve had a chance to taste a Coal Ila whisky, you know its single malts stand strong all on their own.

After being closed for construction over winter, Coal Ila is re-opening to visitors in 2020. Find more information at  malts.com .

Interesting special tours at Coal Ila Distillery include:

• 60-minute luxury chocolate and whisky tasting (5 expressions, including unpeated; £23); contact the distillery to reserve. 
• 90-minute cask strength tour (2 exclusive distillery-only releases and 3 from cask; £27); contact the distillery to reserve. 

Ardnahoe Distillery

The newest of Islay’s distilleries is Ardnahoe Distillery, which opened to the public in April 2019. By November 2019, Ardnahoe already welcomed 24,000 visitors and received Visit Scotland’s five-star grading (one of only two distilleries on Islay). First runs of distillation began in October 2018 and the first cask was filled in November 2018. 

Its restaurant, The Illicit Still, is open every day, but with reduced afternoon hours on Sunday. This distillery is fully accessible, and various tours and tastings are available depending on the season and day. For more details, visit ardnahoedistillery.com .

Interesting special tours at Ardnahoe Distillery include:

• 2-hour manager’s tour (in-depth tour with the distillery manager; £70), offered Tuesdays at 10am.
• 2-hour blending experience (tutored session on how to blend whisky; £95), offered weekdays at 10am.
• Tastings of whiskies from different regions, including a 1-hour (Monday-Saturday at 3pm; £70) and 90-minute (minimum 4 people, by appointment; £150).

Bunnahabhain Distillery

Bunnahabhain Distillery (pronounced boonaHAAven) is Islay’s most remote distillery. But, it’s at the end of a windy scenic road. This Islay whisky distillery was established in 1881, along with the nearby village of Bunnahabhain that was created for distillery workers. 

Bunnahabhain is best known for its unpeated whisky, but now has a well-received smoky whisky named Margadale. Learn more at bunnahabhain.com .

Interesting special tours of Bunnahabhain Distillery include:

• 90-minute maturation warehouse tour (New Make Spirit, then 3yo, 7yo, 12yo and 20yo tastings; £75), offered daily at 2pm.
• 90-minute ultimate Bunnahabhain tour (older whiskies, special releases and Warehouse 9 drams; £250), offered Tuesdays/Thursdays at 4:30pm or by appointment.
• Fill your own bottle from the cask at the visitor’s center.

From Bowmore, Bruichladdich is a 15-minute drive and Kilchoman a 25-minute drive. It’s about 15 minutes between Bruichladdich and Kilchoman distilleries. Kilchoman is tucked away on the west coast near Machir Bay, which is considered one of Britain’s best beaches and a fantastic spot to watch the sun set. But swimming isn’t advised because of the strong undercurrents.

South of Bruichladdich is Port Charlotte and Portnahaven, right at Islay’s southwest tip. It takes about 45 minutes to drive the loop back up to Port Charlotte. Give yourself time to stop at Portahaven’s An Tigh Seinnse (11 Queen St) and to watch the fishing boats. Another treat is making friends with the neighborhood sheep, horses and highland cows!

Suggested itinerary for West Islay whisky distillery tours:

• 11am in-depth tour at Kilchoman (2.5hrs), plus a quick bite at the cafe
• 2pm tour and 3pm tasting at Bruichladdich (1hr each)
• Port Charlotte loop with dinner at Portnahaven, and sunset at Machir Bay

Bruichladdich Distillery

Since it was founded in 1881, Bruichladdich Distillery (pronounced BROOìch-LADDich) has changed owners many times and has been closed many times. In 2000, it was reborn as a fiercely local and independent operation. Local barley is used when possible; all of its whisky matures on Islay; and, bottling is done on Islay. Bruichladdich uses the original 1881 mash tun, longer fermentation and slow distillation.

Considering how peaty a lot of Islay’s whiskies are, it’s kinda hilarious to read a Bruichladdich scotch described as “ridiculously smoky” and “testing the limits of the barley-peating process.” If this is what you’re looking for, it’s called Octomore! Details are at bruichladdich.com .

Interesting special tours of Bruichladdich Distillery include:

• 45-minute botanist tour (reclaimed whisky still to create Islay’s first dry gin), offered daily at 1pm. Combine this with a 1-hour cocktail-making class on Wednesdays/Saturdays at 2pm.

Kilchoman Distillery

Kilchoman Distillery was established in 2005 at Rockside Farm, and has a unique concept. Kilchoman grows its grain, malts it, uses it to make whisky, and even bottles much of it, too … Islay’s only farm-to-scotch distillery. Its farm doesn’t produce enough grain, so outside malt is used, too. BUT, unique to Kilchoman is its 100% Islay whisky.

Because of Kilchoman’s unique farm-to-scotch operation, it’s a terrific tour to take in. Consider the more in-depth 2-hour daily distillery tour at 11am (£35) or the special tour on Thursdays (details below). Its website is kilchomandistillery.com .

• 2.5-hour whisky and wilderness tour (farm and distillery tour; £35), offered April to September on Thursdays at 11am.

BONUS: Isle of Jura Distillery and Port Ellen Re-opening

Isle of jura distillery .

Isle of Jura Distillery originally opened in 1810 but, like so many Islay distilleries, closed for quite some time. It reopened in 1963 and produces a style similar to Highland scotches, with some experimental peated scotches from the 1990s. Jura is a rugged island, with 200 locals and plenty of roaming deer.

It’s easy to combine a trek up to Isle of Jura Distillery with your visit to North Islay’s distilleries. Catch the ferry from Port Askaig (just south of Coal Ila Distillery) over to Jura, then head over to Isle of Jura Distillery in Craighouse. It’s a 5-minute ferry ride (less than £30 return for car and 4 passengers) and a 15-minute drive up to Craighouse.

Visitor information for Isle of Jura Distillery:

• High season (Apr-Oct): Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm; closed Sunday
• Low season (Nov-Mar): Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm; closed Saturday and Sunday; daily and tasting tours only
• Tours: Daily at 11am, 2pm and 4pm (in winter, no 4pm); each day features either a tasting (10am) or special tour (3pm)

Note: Isle of Jura Distillery shuts down for summer maintenance from mid-July to mid-August ; if visiting during this time, connect with them on what’s available. Visit jurawhisky.com for details.

Port Ellen Distillery Re-opening

When this 1824 distillery closed its doors in 1983, its increasingly rare scotch whiskies became the most sought after in the world. And pricey. On thewhiskyexchange.com , the Port Ellen 1981 33 year old fetches and handsome £7000!

Port Ellen Distillery’s young spirits were rough. You were recommended to “put it down in a oner” and chase it with water to “put the fire out.” But, it matured into a highly-appreciated, complex peaty spirit. 

And soon, Port Ellen Distillery will be up and running again! In 2018, Diageo received approval to re-open Port Ellen Distillery. Plans include restoring original 1819 buildings and constructing a new still house, to retain Port Ellen’s character while enabling it to experiment. Port Ellen Distillery was originally slated to restart production in 2021. Although delayed, The Herald Scotland reports a new manager was hired to get production going in 2023.

Nine scotch distilleries on Islay … plus one on Jura. This is one delicious adventure!

I hope this has been helpful in planning your Islay whisky distillery tours. If at any time you feel a little whiskied-out, just pull over and start talking to the friendly island animals … they really are SO cute!

Here are some helpful resources in planning your Islay whisky distillery tours and Islay visit:

• Islay tourism: IslayInfo.com ,  VisitScotland.com and Islay.com distilleries  
• Whisky reviews: TheWhiskyExchange.com and ralfydotcom (YouTube)  
• LostDistillery.com: Its Isle of Islay page lists 14 lost distilleries, some with ruins you can visit
• TripAdvisor.com for reviews on activities and accommodations on Islay
• Booking.com for hotels: Lochside Hotel is in central Bowmore, warm and super friendly with delicious food right on the water.  Machrie Hotel & Golf Links is a 4-star golf and spa resort in southern Port Ellen, with onsite restaurant, bar and afternoon tea in the lounge. 
• Find pretty coastal hikes  in Islay on AllTrails .

For private guided tours of Islay whisky distilleries, check out:

• Custom private tours of Islay’s distilleries: Both Islay Whisky Tours (through Bowmore Taxi Service) and Islay Taxis offer customized private tours of Islay to hit your priority distilleries and other local sights.
• North Islay Whisky Tour (£125/person): Tastings, lunch and chocolate pairing (brilliant!) at North Islay’s 3 distilleries. Offered April to October on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. 

Remember to SHARE this post with your TRAVEL COMPANIONS!

Other posts you may be interested in:

• SPEYSIDE Scotch: 16 Whiskey Distilleries to Visit and Why  
• 36+ Fantastic Stops from LONDON to EDINBURGH  
• How to Survive AFTER a RED-EYE to LONDON with your Partner   (but these tips work with other travel companions, too)

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Whisky tours

Islay scottish whisky distilleries.

If you’re a whisky connoisseur, then a visit to the Islay whisky distilleries should be top of your agenda. There are 9 working Scottish whisky distilleries on the 619.6 km² Isle of Islay, with daily tours to visit them. A hop and a skip across the water and you can visit the Isle of Jura distillery too. Take a look at what’s on offer…

Islay Whisky Distillery Tours

Islay is home to nine fantastic distilleries as well as another that can be found on Jura. So if you are looking for things to do on Islay …

Islay Whisky Tours and Taxi Service

Are looking for Islay taxis or Islay whisky tours? Then look no further. Bowmore Taxi Service and Islay Whisky Tours offer a friendly …

Islay whisky history

Islay, situated on the Scottish Whisky Coast, has been producing whisky for more than 300 years. The first recorded distillery was Bowmore , dating back to 1779. However, Irish monks were the first to produce whisky on the island in the early 14th century.

Islay, and the neighbouring island Jura, have the benefit of peaty land and lots of good quality water in the Lochs and rivers. The monks also discovered that local crofters grew bere, an early variety of barley. This crop was perfect for making whisky so, the crofters would use what they needed for food etc., and the monks used the rest for their stills.

Most of Islay’s original whisky distilleries started life as farm stills. However, during the 17th century, they went into hiding in secluded glens and caves to hide from the excise man!

Islay’s Distilleries

The working distilleries are spread across the island and are punctuated by ruined buildings and place names of distilleries that have gone . Bowmore Distillery is said to be the oldest in Scotland. Ardnahoe is the most recent, joining the ranks in 2018.

Three more distilleries are due to open in the next couple of years, giving Islay a total of 11 on such a small island! In fact, as it stands at the moment, Islay and Jura produce 20,000,000 litres of whisky a year. With the tax on alcohol currently at 40%, these small islands are major contributors to the UK economy!

Book your tour

When you are visiting the island, a tour of a couple of distilleries is a must. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the history of Islay whisky. You’ll also discover why the island is known as the ‘whisky island’ and find out where the world-renowned smoky flavour comes from.

If you think you are likely to be sampling some of the whisky, check out the Bowmore Taxi Service . When you have finished touring and had your fill of the samples, you’ll be able to head back to spend a relaxing evening in one of our cosy properties .

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VISIT US AT BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY

Join us on the isle of islay and enjoy a tour or tasting experience.

Our team are ready and waiting with a warm welcome to Bruichladdich Distillery. Planning your visit is simple, with different tour experiences to suit different tastes and easy online booking below. The Laddie Shop is open for tastings and general retail, with no booking required. You can meet the team, buy releases from our four spirits (including The Botanist Gin ) as well as merchandise, apparel, accessories and locally produced products from members of the Islay community.

We are open from 10:00 – 17:30 seven days a week, from April until the end of October. From November to the end of March, we are open Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:30.

We look forward to welcoming you, new faces and old, to Bruichladdich!

GUIDED DISTILLERY TOUR

A guided walk around our Victorian distillery where you will learn about our history, our philosophy and how we make our three single malts (Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore) and The Botanist gin. At the end of the tour you will be welcomed into the shop for a tasting.

£20 PER ADULT | 1.5 HOURS

WAREHOUSE TASTING EXPERIENCE

A unique opportunity to sample three of our finest expressions straight from the cask. Each cask has been hand-selected by our Head Distiller, Adam Hannett. This experience includes sample bottles and a complimentary glass. Please note that a distillery tour is not included.

£45 PER ADULT *AGE 18+ | 1.5 HOURS

BRUICHLADDICH EXPERIENCE

Our ultimate tour package. A guided walk around our Victorian distillery where you will learn about our history, our philosophy and how we make our three single malts (Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore) and The Botanist gin. We will then move to warehouse number 6 where you will have a unique opportunity to sample three of our finest expressions straight from from the cask.

£65 PER ADULT *AGE 18+ | 2.5 HOURS

CORE RANGE TASTING

ONLY AVAILABLE 20TH JUNE - 21ST JULY 2024

Learn about our history, philosophy and how we make our 3 malts (Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte & Octomore) and The Botanist Gin whilst you enjoy a sample of each. Please let us know if you intend to drive as we can supply small bottles for you to take your drams away to enjoy later.

£10 PER ADULT *AGE 18+ | 45 MINS

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Give an unforgettable experience! Our Gift Certificates make the perfect gift for whisky and gin lovers alike. Gift Certificates can be redeemed against our tour and tasting experiences.

Support and FAQs

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

Under 18's are welcome in our visitor centre and on our distillery tour. Unfortunately all our other tour experiences are designed for adults aged 18+.

The distillery is situated on the southwestern tip of the island of Islay, in the Scottish Hebrides. Address:

Bruichladdich Distillery, Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland, United Kingdom, PA49 7UN

Due to the limited number of spaces available on our experiences, we would advise you to book in advance (particularly for bigger groups). We will always aim to accommodate guests who turn up on the day but cannot guarantee a place on any of our experiences.

Drivers participating in our distillery tour will receive three miniatures to take away and enjoy later. Drivers on the Warehouse Tasting will receive a tour pack with three empty bottles which can be filled in the warehouse. Drivers on The Bruichladdich Experience will receive a tour pack which can be filled in the warehouse with samples from the three casks available and a miniature of The Botanist Islay cask matured gin.

Parking is available at the visitor car park after the entrance of the distillery. Disabled parking is in the distillery's courtyard.

The Bruichladdich Distillery shop is open 10:00 – 17:30 seven days per week from April until the end of October and from 10:00 – 17:30 Monday – Saturday from November to end March (last tastings 17:00). We look forward to giving you a warm welcome very soon!

Experiences involve a walk to the warehouse and/or production sites. There are stairs and production areas can be hot and noisy. If you have mobility issues or are concerned about participating please reach out to us before your visit. We will always do whatever we can to accommodate so please contact us here .

You can purchase gift certificates using our online booking system  here .

If you need any further information on tours, please message us here or call us on 01496 850 190.

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Check out our brand new 5-day Islay & Campbeltown Tour!

WHISKY TOURS SCOTLAND

Experience the true taste of scotland on our small-group tours.

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Four-Day Islay Whisky Tour

This tour takes you to a Scottish island paradise. Islay is home to stunning scenery, ancient history, traditional culture and nine of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries.

• Hour Glass 5 days

Five-Day Islay Whisky Tour

The ultimate Islay tour is for those who want to experience as much of Islay as possible. We visit every distillery on the island, taste a range of drams and explore its secret spots.

Five-Day Islay & Campbeltown Whisky Tour

Our new Islay & Campbeltown Whisky Tour is for those who want to experience 2 incredible whisky regions in Scotland. We visit many distilleries on Islay, at least 2 distilleries in Campbeltown and have an overnight stay in a castle!

Custom Tour

We can organize every detail, including accommodation, attractions and events and will pair you with the perfect guide to match your interests to ensure you get the most out of your time in Scotland.

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Glasgow’s West End Whisky Tour

Once upon a whisky.

Discover local secrets on the West End of Glasgow on this tasting tour away from the city centre. Includes 4 premium single malt Scotch whiskies, and a dedicated and knowledgable guide.

Explore and taste Scotland with Scottish Routes! Discover the isle of Islay, the Scottish Highlands and the heart of Malt Whisky Country, Speyside, on our whisky tours. Book your tour today!

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GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour

Oban Town Daily Walking Tour (10:30am)

Half Day Tour from Greenock to the Highlands and Loch Lomond

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Guided Hebridean Farm Hike near Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Surf Lessons

Under the Rope Bridge Tour

Elephant Rock Paddle (2 hours)

Family Package (2 Adults, 2 Children)

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7 Distilleries on the Best Islay Tour with Highland Explorers

I’ve always wanted to do an Isle of Islay tour, and attending the Whisky and Music Festival with Highland Explorer Tours was easily the best option. As I’ve stated before, I don’t drink a lot of alcohol, but I was really happy to sample different whiskies from seven of the nine distilleries on Islay, not to mention all the other attractions, food, and stories on the tour.

As good as the whisky and the island were, the 4-day Islay Whisky and Music Tour with Highland Explorer was so much more.

Table of Contents

Visiting the Isle of Islay from Edinburgh

As a quick geography lesson, the Isle of Islay is one of the southwesternmost islands of Scotland, only about 30 miles from Northern Ireland. In a nutshell, off the west coast of Scotland are the Hebrides, which are divided into the Outer Hebrides and the Inner Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides have the Isle of Lewis and Harris at the top and several more small islands extending to the south. The main island in the Inner Hebrides is the Isle of Skye, but there are plenty of more beautiful islands.

Some examples of prominent islands in the Inner Hebrides are the Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, Isle of Jura, and Staffa Isle where you can find Fingal’s Cave. These islands can be reached by ferry leaving from Oban. The Isle of Arran is sheltered in a bay with a ferry from Ardrossan, just a bit west of Glasgow. And then there’s the Isle of Islay (pronounced eye-luh ), which you can get to with a ferry from Kennacraig.

It certainly is possible to rent your own car and get out to Islay, but expenses will quickly mount up. The car rental, fuel, ferry costs, accommodations, etc. aren’t cheap these days. As such, a much better option would be to take a bus tour. And I think the best Islay tour is with Highland Explorer.

If you’d like to book your tour , you can use booking code SKYETRAVELS10 to get a 10% discount.

Islay Whisky Distilleries

Currently, there are nine Islay distilleries – ten if you count Port Ellen which closed in 1983 but will re-open later in 2023. There are also two more distilleries scheduled to open in the near future, bringing the total up to twelve.

As part of our Islay Whisky and Music Festival Tour, we visited seven of the nine distilleries. For Fèis Ìle, or Islay Festival, each of the nine distilleries has an open day over nine days. As we were only on the island for three nights and two full days, we only made it to two of the open days (we missed the Bowmore open day by minutes), but we visited another five distilleries to see how they compared.

The only two distilleries we missed were Ardnahoe – Islay’s newest distillery (I don’t think they have any bottles for sale yet) and Caol Ila (pronounced cull-eeluh) – Islay’s largest distillery. After all, there’s only so much you can do in two days.

The first distillery we visited was Ardbeg, at the end of the Three Distilleries Walk. That’s a path from Port Ellen which passes through Laphroig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. At the distillery, we received a full tour of the operations and got to sample three different Ardbeg whiskies. Annoyingly, I didn’t get the names of all three, but the last was called Uigeadail, which won best whisky in 2021. All three were quite smooth and a little sweet, which was rather different than others we tried on the tour.

We learned some interesting facts on the tour about how Ardbeg stands out from other distilleries. After all, as of this writing, there are 143 whisky distilleries in Scotland, all trying to do something different, but also working together with blended whiskies. One thing that’s unique about Ardbeg is that it’s owned by Glenmorangie, which in turn is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). In other words, the owners of Louis Vuitton also own this distillery.

I was particularly interested in visiting Ardbeg, as one of the stops I go to on the food tour I give in Edinburgh – The Whiski Rooms – is an Ardbeg Embassy. So I finally got a bit of reality on the distillery and its whiskies.

Lagavulin has been around since 1816, and now is part of Diageo. Diageo has 132 sites around the world, including Caol Ila on Islay, Talisker on the Isle of Skye, Johnnie Walker, and, of course, Guinness beer in Ireland.

As the distillation process is basically the same from one distillery to the next, we didn’t do a tour of the facilities. Instead, we went into the beautiful tasting room where and learned about their different expressions. This was the only distillery that didn’t provide a free sample, although a couple guests on the tour purchased a sample of a rare bottle.

This is the southernmost distillery on Islay, at least until the Port Ellen distillery reopens later this year. Laphroaig is a bit different from the other distilleries in the way it smokes peat over the malted barley to create a heavily peated whisky. Oddly, I found many distilleries are a bit secretive about how long they smoke peat over the barley, but Laphroaig says it’s over 17 hours per batch.

Kilchoman (pronounced kil-ho-man ) is the only independent distillery on Islay. We arrived for their open day full of activities. With a bagpipe rock band playing in the background, we toured around the distillery sampling three different bottles, all of which were surprisingly nice. There was a large room with barley on the ground we could practice raking and evening out, and a photo spot with Cask #1 from 2005 when they opened.

My one regret was the regular cafe with their world-famous Cullen skink was closed and they had a separate food stand set up, which ran out of food just before we arrived. But the showroom was also really nice (bigger than any other distillery), and I liked learning how they keep their entire production on Islay, using barley from the nearby farms.

We just missed the Bowmore open day the evening we arrived, but I’m glad we returned later on for a quick visit. The Bowmore 12 turned out to be one of my favorite whiskies on Islay. It was super smooth and had virtually no burn at the back of the throat. All the flavor was at the tip of my tongue, which is my favorite kind of whisky.

The tasting room at Bowmore was also beautiful, with a fantastic view overlooking the bay. Technically every distillery on Islay (except for Kilchoman) overlooks a bay, but the open floor plan, historical information displays about the distillery, and great samples really stood out.

Bruichladdich

Bruichladdich (pronounced  brew-ick-la-dee ) was our first distillery stop on day two after we went to the American Monument. This distillery has four main brands – Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore whiskies, and The Botanist gin. Each brand is quite different. Bruichladdich is one of the only non-peated whiskies from Islay, and Octomore is one of the most peated.

The Botanist is an incredible gin (more to my liking than the whisky) with over 30 botanicals added, more than 20 of which are locally foraged on Islay. Vanesa also loved the Octomore 13.4, a whisky only available at the distillery and with a peat level of 180 parts per million. We got a little of both to take home with us, but the £200 bottle was slightly out of our budget.

Bunnahabhain

Our final distillery was Bunnahabhain (pronounced bu-na-ha-vin ) for their open day. This is the northernmost distillery on Islay, located across the straight from the Isle of Jura. There were several activities, most of which had to be purchased. We missed out on the whisky workshop and chose not to go on a boat tour, exploring the distillery instead.

The Bunnahabhain Distillery is unique on Islay in that it isn’t peated (like the one brand at Bruichladdich). The flavor was surprisingly smooth. Unfortunately, after a couple dozen samples in two days, I was getting a little full of whisky. But I would have still loved to do that whisky workshop.

Other Attractions on the Islay Whisky Tour

While our Islay tour was focused on the distilleries, we had several other stops, particularly on the drive out to Islay and then on the way back. Many of the stops were places I’d never seen in all my other trips and tours around Scotland. As I keep saying, there’s just so much to see and do in this country.

Our first stop was the quaint village of Luss on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. I’ve passed by on the highway countless times but never actually stopped in the village, which only has a population of about 450. It’s your quintessential Scottish village with beautiful little cottages, an ancient church, a pier for boat trips, and a handful of cafes and a pub for snacks or a meal.

Inveraray feels more like a small town than a village, even though population-wise it’s almost as small as Luss. The difference is the establishments set up for tourists, and the stunning castle built on the outskirts of the town. This was the lunch stop of the tour. We’d heard about the world-famous Loch Fyne oysters served at the pubs, but we chose a traditional Scottish Breakfast for lunch at Brambles of Inveraray instead.

I would have loved to visit the castle, but we were in a rush to catch the ferry as the later departure had been canceled and we had to catch the earlier sailing. At least I had time to get a bit of drone footage.

American Monument

This is quite a unique site on Islay. In 1918, over 500 US servicemen lost their lives when two military vessels sank at sea, one from a German torpedo and the other from a collision with another ship in a thick fog. The monument is like a windmill without sails, looking out to sea. These were just two of the countless ships that sank around the perilous Western Isles of Scotland over the centuries.

After visiting Kilchoman on the second day, we went to the end of the single-track road to Machir Bay, a beautiful beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone else went for the view, but I couldn’t help myself. I stripped down to my small clothes to go for a plunge in the waves. At least I had a towel with me.

Dunadd Fort

After a quick breakfast stop at Lochgilphead on the fourth and final day of our tour, we had a stop at Dunadd Fort. A fort was built at this site 2,000 years ago and was used until the mid-16th century by Gaelic kings. Historic Environment Scotland did a great job setting up information displays across the site, which is open year-round and free to visit.

Nether Largie Standing Stones

These standing stones make Dunadd Fort seem new. They were erected around 5,000 years ago, although the purpose of them is still hotly contested. I loved feeling the millennia of history here. If you’re an Outlander fan (as Vanesa is) or a lover of history, this is a great stop.

This is one of the best towns in western Scotland, and our lunch stop on the last day. There are plenty of places to go for lunch, but I think the best is the Oban Seafood Hut across from the ferry terminal. Some of the freshest seafood and also really good prices (the best combination). Just be prepared for a long line when you go.

If you have more time, you can climb to the top of the hill to see McCaig’s Tower, which looks like a mini Colosseum. My 5-Day Highlands Tour with Haggis Adventures also stopped in Oban and I have a full description of the town in that article.

Our final stop on our tour was in Glencoe, one of the most beautiful valleys in the UK. Nearly every tour passes through Glencoe and for good reason. The scenery is stunning. As usual, we only stopped for a few minutes for some photos. Someday I need to visit there for a few hours and hike up to the top of the trails.

Meals and Accommodations on the Islay Tour

The highlight of our Islay tour was certainly the distilleries, followed by the other attractions and sites, but room and board are also important. We had some great meals on our trip, plus all three nights at the same hotel in Port Ellen on Islay.

No. 1 Charlotte Street

Unlike any other tour I’ve had in Scotland, every night of our tour of Islay was spent at the same hotel – No. 1 Charlotte in Port Ellen. This is where the ferry should have arrived and departed from, but the fleet was minimized on our tour and we had to use Port Askaig at the top of the island instead.

The room was small but very comfortable. We slept like babes in the bed (or maybe that was the whisky). As with many old buildings in Scotland, the thick stone walls made our room completely soundproof, even with a bar downstairs. We had a lovely view of the bay, but the best part was the breakfast in the morning. A nice continental breakfast was laid out for us, and we had a form to fill out for a hot Scottish breakfast as well. In short, we were well fed before our whisky tastings.

On our first night, we went to Bowmore for dinner. We had a dinner booked at the Bowmore Hotel the following night so we searched for another option. That was the same day that Bowmore Distillery had its open day and the village was packed, but we managed to get some takeaway pizzas from Peatzeria to eat out on the pier. The pizzas were surprisingly good – more American style than Italian – and quite large. If you’re looking for some comfort food on Islay, this is your stop.

Bowmore Hotel

The following night, we had a very nice, three-course dinner at the Bowmore Hotel. I had a proper Scottish burger topped with black pudding and caramelized onions. But the highlight of the Bowmore Hotel was the whisky selection. The menu was several dozen pages long! If there’s any rare whisky you’ll looking to try, you’ll probably be able to find it at the Bowmore Hotel.

Bridgend Hotel

Our final meal on Islay was at the Bridgend Hotel, a finalist as Scotland’s Best Country Hotel in 2023. The meal was certainly on par with the award. You can usually get the best seafood in the coastal towns and islands in Scotland, and the fish and chips here were perfect. Yet still no Cullen skink. That’s for the next time I’m at Kilchoman.

Why Highland Explorer Has the Best Islay Tour

Renting a car to get to the Isle of Islay is always an option. It gives you the freedom of going where you want, when you want. On the other hand, having a tour guide makes all the difference, and Rich was incredible as a guide. He was a wealth of information, both historical facts and personal anecdotes, and made our Islay tour so much more fun.

Taking a tour with Highland Explorer is also far more economical. Except in a few circumstances, you will always get a better deal on a tour than paying for everything separately. The car rental, fuel, ferry tickets, accommodations, and some entrance fees really start to add up. Lastly, taking a tour takes the headache out of the planning, and you can just sit back and enjoy the experience.

While my tour was special for Fèis Ìle , the Islay Whisky Festival, Highland Explorer has other Islay tour packages . In 2023, there is a tour coming up on September 15th. The tours include everything I’ve detailed above, barring some change in circumstances if something isn’t available. The Islay tour price is variable, so check the website for the current information.

Further Reading

Looking for another tour of Scotland? Here are some other tours to consider with Haggis Adventures:

• My Amazing Week on the Hebridean Hopper with Haggis Adventures
• The Perfect 5-Day Highlands Tour with Haggis Adventures
• An Honest Review of the Whisky, Warriors and Waterfalls Tour with Haggis Adventures

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2-Day Self-Guided Islay Whisky Tour: Visit the Distilleries

If you’re a whisky fan, you’ve likely smelled the peaty, smoky whisky made exclusively on the Isle of Islay (pronounced eye-la). It’s the southernmost island of the  Inner Hebrides  of Scotland – the fifth-largest of the Scottish isles, and it’s known for its peaty whisky.

Islay is one of five areas in Scotland where whisky distilling takes place and is protected by law. There are nine distilleries on the island currently that you can visit on an Islay Whisky Tour.

The island is small, but it can still be challenging to envision the Islay distilleries map and make a plan for visiting them when it’s your first time. We spent hours putting together our itinerary and researching all the various options.

As always we wanted to share our itinerary with you, so you have everything you need to plan your trip, from transport to accommodations, so you can just focus on having a great time tasting authentic Scottish whisky.

On a 2-Day Islay distilleries tour that you put together your self, you can make it to six of the top distilleries. It’s a lot of whisky and a bit of driving, but each of the distilleries gives a take-away option so you can sample the whisky when the driving is done.

If you’re adding a few days to your Scotland itinerary to visit Islay, you can choose which of these distilleries sound fun and learn a bit about this tiny island that’s serious about its craft.

Best Affordable Luxury Hotel in Islay

Need to get your accommodations booked? We think the all-around best choice is the…

Machrie Hotel & Golf Link

» If you’re visiting Scotland , check out our 7-day itinerary that covers the west of Scotland and the Isle of Skye, or this week-long itinerary to the east. You’ll also love visiting Edinburgh .

Table of Contents

Should I Book an Islay Whisky Tour?

A group tour takes all of the planning off your shoulders. This is great for beginner travelers or those who want a more structured itinerary.

This private 4-Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh is perfect for true whisky enthusiasts. It will introduce you to many of Scotland’s top distilleries—including every distillery on Islay. Accommodation and transport are included in the cost and are a great way to take the planning off of you.

However, you don’t have to book Islay tours with a company to enjoy your tasting experience. Self-guided tours are a great way to explore the location on your own time, add stops, and get to know the locals a bit more.

You can hire a private driver to take you from location to location (best to ask your hotel for recommendation) or you can drive yourself around and keep the tasters for the end of the day.

How to Plan Self-Guided Islay Whisky Tours

It doesn’t matter what time of the year you visit. Tours of the distilleries are available throughout the year. However, in winter, some distilleries may only have a limited number of tours a month, so it’s best to check their websites ahead of time and make a booking to ensure you can get in.

We found that all of the tours filled up by the time we got there, so if we hadn’t made reservations in advance we wouldn’t have gotten in to any of them!

How to Get to Islay

No matter where you’re coming from, to get to Islay, you’ll need to take a ferry from Kennacraig. There are two ferry ports on the island, Port Ellen and Port Askaig. The ferry ride should take about two and a half hours.

The earliest ferry ride is at 7:00 from Kennacraig, with the last ones leaving Port Ellen at 12:45 and Port Askaig at 18:00. You can find the ferry timetable here . You can take your car on the ferry, but make a reservation early, especially in summer to guarantee a spot.

One more thing about the car ferry – it can break down. It does pretty often in fact. When we visited, we got on the ferry no problem, but the very next ferry broke down and no cars could be transported to the island for 2 days. This can dramatically affect your trip, so be prepared with a backup plan, if possible.

There are also daily flights from Glasgow that take about 45 minutes. You can also take a bus from Glasgow to the ferry port. This will leave you without a car on the island though, so you’ll need to look into rentaling on the island from Islay Car Hire Company .

How to Get Around Islay

We thought it would be possible to get a taxi to take us to the distilleries, but quickly found out there are only a few taxi drivers on the whole island. As there was a wedding going on that weekend, there were absolutely no taxis available.

We also tried to take the bus but found the schedule to be quite prohibitive, as well as how far it is to get to the distilleries from the bus stop. In my opinion, the best way to get around is to take your own car or rent a car on the island.

Here are the best ways to get around the island for your self-guided tour.

Islay Coaches is the island’s bus service and has two bus routes — bus 450 and 451. These are a great way to save a bit of cash if you’re not in a hurry. However, there are a few downsides.

Buses aren’t frequent and don’t run on Sundays. They run between 8 am to 5 pm as these are also the school buses in the area. The stops are not exactly convenient to the distilleries.

The easiest way to get around Islay is by car — whether you drive yourself or get a taxi. This is also needed for the distilleries in the north, as there are no bus routes.

If you take a taxi, you’ll have to book your ride well in advance (about a day or two) as cabs are few in this area. There are Ubers available on the island, but, like taxis not many, and since the signal can be poor, it’s best to book these ahead of time too.

Private Driver

If you’d like to visit these distilleries on your own time, consider getting a private driver instead. Not only will you be supporting local businesses and learning insights from locals, but you’ll also be eliminating the chance of driving under the influence.

The best way to find a private driver is to ask your hotel for recommendations or do a Google search.

It’s good to note that there is a walking trail that connects all of the south distilleries. If it’s nice enough outside, you should definitely consider walking it. We were hoping to take a taxi to Ardbeg and walk the way back to Port Ellen, but that didn’t work out since we couldn’t get a taxi. If you can though, give this a try.

It’s a 3-mile walking path that connects Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig, to Port Ellen. If you’re staying in or new Port Ellen, this is a fantastic way to spend a day. You walk right along the coast line on a very nice path. It’s gorgeous.

Self-Guided Whisky Tours in Islay

Day 1: south islay.

South Islay has the most popular distilleries on the island. I would suggest staying in a hotel in that area, like the Machrie Hotel , which is a 7-mile drive from Ardbeg.

Morning: Ardbeg Distillery

The earliest tour starts at 10:00, so you can have a leisurely morning and only start moving to the first location around 9:00.

Ardbeg Distillery sits along the crashing shore on Pier Road. Since its opening in 1815, this distillery has been through many trials and owners. In 1987, production even subsided to nothing. But, as you can see, it came out kicking to become the award-winning distillery it is today.

For that reason, it is worth visiting on this Islay distillery tour, don’t you think? There are a few variations of the distillery tour, with different tastings added. The most basic tour is the 10:00 ‘Tour And Wee Taste’ , which costs $15 (£12) and includes a tasting of a dram of whisky of your choice.

While there, you can also enjoy Ardberg cocktails or ‘rocktails’ for as little as $6 (£5). But it’s probably a good idea to have something in your stomach first. Luckily the Old Kiln Cafe is not too far away and serves sandwiches, soups, and home-baked goods between November and March.

From April to October, The Ardstream Trailer takes over and serves a selection of wood-burn pizzas, salads, and paninis.

Note: While tours still run in winter, they are reduced to Mondays and Fridays only.

Noon: Lagavulin Distillery

Not too far from Ardberg is Lagavulin Distillery. To get here by bus, you’ll need to take bus 451 from Farm Road End, Ardbeg, to the Lagavulin Distillery stop. It is less than a five-minute drive by car.

Like the previous distillery, Lagavulin also has a fascinating history. It started as an illegal still in the 18th century before officially opening in 1816. Since opening, the distillery has won several awards locally and internationally ( San Francisco loves them).

The Lagavulin Classic Tour starts at 13:00, so you can take your time at Ardbeg Distillery filling up on their treats. And, seeing as Lagavulin doesn’t have an eatery, it is recommended. The tour costs $27 (£22) and is about an hour and a half long.

On it, you’ll get to see the long process of how this award-winning whisky is made. You’ll also get an expert-guided tasting of a selection of whiskies, including a taste of the Distillery Exclusive bottling. Don’t forget your complimentary Lagavulin branded glass souvenir.

Note: Please arrive 15 minutes before your reservation.

Late Afternoon: Laphroaig Distillery

You can take bus 451 from Lagavulin to the Laphroaig Distillery or take the short three-minute drive. There are no restaurants on-site, so you’ll have to make a booking in Port Ellen for dinner.

Laphroaig Distillery is the oldest distillery on the itinerary for day one, opening in 1810. It was also illegitimate for a while before Scottish laws were relaxed. But, unlike the other distilleries in the area, this has the royal seal of approval.

After visiting in 1994, Prince Charles gave this whisky his Royal Warrant. He liked it so much that he visited again in 2008 for his 60th birthday celebration.

The Laphroaig Experience Tour starts at 14:30, which means you’ll have to either leave the previous tour a bit early or call ahead to say you’ll arrive about five minutes late. On the experience, you’ll get a peek into its secrets by walking through the floor maltings and museum. From there, you’ll get to pick a dram to taste and also get a few souvenirs.

This is the last distillery for the day and very near to Port Ellen, where you’ll most likely retreat for the night. Take bus 451 in the direction of Bowmore to get to the Charlotte Street stop, about a five-minute walk from your accommodation.

Day 2: North Islay

As mentioned, there aren’t many bus lines in the North of Islay. So, arranging a taxi beforehand or getting a private driver to take you around would be best.

Morning: Kilchoman Distillery

It should take a 36-minute drive from Port Ellen to Kilchoman Distillery. This tour starts at 10:00, so you can choose to eat breakfast at your hotel or look for a lovely eatery in town before making your way over.

However, there is a cafe if you’re feeling peckish around lunchtime. Kilchoman Distillery Cafe serves cakes, soups, paninis, and drinks with a drop of whisky. Don’t forget to try the Northern Scottish favorite of Cullen skink — a thick smoked haddock soup with potatoes and onions.

Kilchoman Distillery is a family-run business run by the Wills Family. They opened it in 2005 and have seen great success since. You can learn how they achieved this success by taking the one-hour Classic Tour which starts at 10:00 and costs $12 (£10). This will take you through the distillery production alongside an expert guide and finish with a dram at the Visitor Centre.

Noon: Bunnahabhain Distillery

It is another 36-minute drive to Bunnahabhain Distillery from Kilchoman Distillery. This spot opened in 1818 thanks to the pier, which not only allowed for supplies to be brought in but also allowed shipping.

But, it wasn’t until 1961 that the distillery got a road for easy access that it started to grow. Today, this Single Malt Whisky Collection attracts many visitors and connoisseurs.

The Production Tour starts at 12:00 and costs $19 (£15). It takes you through the entire process of what it takes to make this Single Malt Whisky. After a lesson on the production and history, you’ll head to the Boathouse for a dram tasting of your own.

Late Afternoon: Ardnahoe Distillery

It is a short five-minute drive from Bunnahabhain Distillery to Ardnahoe Distillery. This distillery is still quite young, having only officially opened in 2019. But that doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing, as this family has been in the biz for over 60 years.

If you want a tour of the process of this particular distillery, take The Spirit Of Ardnahoe tasting tour. It costs £10 and takes about 45 minutes to complete. There are a few time slots for the distillery tour. The afternoon time slots have one tour at 14:00 and the last tour of the day at 16:00, so you don’t have to rush over from Bunnahabhain Distillery.

The Illicit Still Café is an on-site eatery. It is laid-back and serves treats, light and hearty meals, and vegetarian and vegan options. It is important to note that it only serves food until 15:45, and bookings are required.

Ardnahoe Distillery is about a 30-minute drive to Port Askaig. As mentioned before, the last ferry ride to Kennacraig is at 18:00, so you won’t have to rush to catch your ferry. So, you can either have a bite to eat at the distillery cafe or grab an early dinner at the Port Askaig Hotel.

Where to Stay in Islay

As the Isle of Islay is tiny, it doesn’t have a city center. However, Port Ellen is the island’s biggest town, so it will be your base for your stay.

Machrie Hotel & Golf Links

This four-star hotel is exactly what you need after a long day of lifting the elbow. It sits on the beach and has a wellness spa offering all kinds of beauty treatments. The rooms are spacious and modern, with some of the best views on the island.

There are also two restaurants on-site that serve hearty Scottish and British meals. We ate dinner twice at the 18 Restaurant & Bar and really enjoyed the food. In the low season, you might find it’s easiest to eat the hotel because there tends to be more demand than there is supply in town.

⇒ Read reviews on Trip Advisor

No. 1 Charlotte Street

Cozy and close to the Port Ellen Ferry terminal, No. 1 Charlotte Street is the perfect place to be after a long day. Each room has a sea view and a double bed, a seating area, and a private bathroom.

While it doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, it is in a prime location and only a few steps away from a selection of eateries.

Islay Whisky Festival

Another great way to get to try a lot of Islay’s whiskies and have a great time doing it is to go to the Islay Whisky Festival , which takes place in the last week of May.

The festival is 9 days of music, song, dancing, chatting, meeting friends old and new and perhaps having a wee bit of Islay whisky along the way.

Ready to Visit the Top Islay Whiskey Distilleries?

As you can see, Islay has a range of amazing whisky-producing stills. While this list only takes you to six of the nine distilleries, you can always add another day or two to visit the rest.

Now that you know everything for a successful self-guided whiskey tour in Islay, what’s stopping you?

If you loved this tour, you might enjoy this Speyside Distilleries Malt Whisky Trail too.

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

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Thanks for sharing, these places look great to explore on a holiday

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• Travel Resources

• Whisky Distilleries

Isle of Islay Whisky Distilleries

One of the crown jewels of Scotland’s west coast, the Isle of Islay is famed for its stunning landscapes and wealth of Islay whisky distilleries. This region of Scotland is well known for its whisky and is a part of Scotland’s famed “Whisky Coast”. The Isle of Islay, in particular, is a trendy tourist hotspot with an active community of distillers. Whisky lovers can look forward to peat smoke whiskies inspired by the Isle’s dramatic coastline.

Islay has a detailed history of producing incredible whisky, and the whisky distilleries dotted across this fair Isle have perfected the art of creating delicious Islay malts. Visitors to the Isle can spend several days touring the local distilleries on Islay while enjoying the remote countryside. If you’re sold and want more information about which progressive Hebridean distillers you should visit while on the Isle, you’ve come to the right place!

Here are the top Isle of Islay whisky distilleries you must see when visiting this remote whisky island.

In This Post

Ardnahoe Distillery

Islay distilleries are born from a love of making whisky, and it’s not uncommon for Islay’s original distilleries to inspire a new generation to create a new distillery filled with innovation upon the old. Ardnahoe’s story is precisely that, and they started production after the Laing family learnt all there was to know about distillation at Bruichladdich.

Today, the distillery is still a family-run business after 60 years and is one of the most modern distilleries on Islay. Mixing its modern facility with this whisky island’s traditional methods and values is an authentic recipe for success. Ardnahoe’s whisky is a dynamic drink that combines peaty and smooth old whisky with spice.

Arriving at Ardnahoe treats you to the distinctive smell of peat and smoke, not entirely unpleasant when you’re overlooking the Isle’s fantastic landscape with a dram in hand and something to eat from their cafe. Ardnahow also offers a distillery tour that takes you into the thick of production – a recommended trip to learn why this distillery is an integral part of Islay’s future.

Bowmore Distillery

Patience adds to the quality of any whisky, and Bowmore Distillery has perfected the time it takes to make an excellent whisky. Bowmore whisky is allowed to ferment in its casks for just the right amount of time, and the expert distillers spend a great deal of time choosing the proper cask before imbuing their whisky the hint of flavours that makes Bowmore’s whisky as delicious as it is.

And like with their whisky, guests visiting Bowmore are encouraged to explore what the distillery offers. From taking a tour through the facilities and sampling the poignant flavours at the Bowmore Whisky Tasting Bar to spending a few days at the Bowmore cottages, you can enjoy your time more than any other distilleries Islay offers.

If you want more than to taste Islay malt whisky, consider visiting the serene and splendid Bowmore Distillery – the oldest distillery on Islay.

Bruichladdich Distillery

One of the most famous whisky distilleries on Islay is undoubtedly Bruichladdich, which was resurrected from the ashes in 2001 and continues to be one of the island’s most progressive and innovative distillers. Bruichladdich has several exceptional whiskies, including their classic Laddie Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte for those who love heavily peated whisky, and Octomore (as close to cask strength as you deserve).

Bruichladdich stands among the older distilleries on Islay and is a worthy addition to anyone arriving on the Isle of Islay – taking the trip to the western coast of Islay lets you enjoy the beautiful wildlife and many shipwrecks that dot nearby.

Bunnahabhain Distillery

Overlooking the Sound of Islay towards the Isle of Jura, the historic Bunnahabhain Distillery has made complex and rich whiskies since 1881. One of the secrets to their deliciously oily flavours is the ex-sherry casks that they use to imbue their unpeated core range. Come, and taste come truly unique drams at Bunnahabhain Distillery.

Like many whisky distilleries on Islay, the distillery comes with exclusive whisky tours and tasting at the distillery’s visitor centre. Best of all, Bunnahabhain is only a few miles north of Port Askaig and should be part of anyone’s whisky tour when they come to this stunning Isle.

Caol Ila Distillery

A stone’s throw away from the bustling Port Askaig, Caol Ila looks over the Sound of Islay, granting immaculate views and an offering of delicious single malt whisky. Caol Ila is more significant than most distilleries on the Isle, and this behemoth produces twice as much as Laphroaig!

Whether you love peated or unpeated whisky, Caol Ila’s behemoth of a whisky-making process offers both for you to try. Their whisky tasting provides a fantastic range of delicious whiskies, from young and spicy to old, matured whiskies with just a hint of complex flavour on your palette.

Kildalton Distilleries

The Kildalton Distilleries refer to three southern distilleries on the Isle of Islay that are closely connected.

Ardbeg Distillery

Ardbeg is one of Islay’s most beloved distilleries and has been called by whisky connoisseurs “as close to perfection as makes no difference”, which should tell you all you need to know about the quality of their drams. Using the salty sea air and peaty water of Islay as inspiration, Ardbeg has perfected their whisky over the 200 years they’ve been on the Isle, a fact you can taste when you attend one of their fascinating distillery tours.

Learn about Islay’s fascinating story, from the days of monks and their illicit distilling to the growth from secluded glens to a proud whisky industry. And, of course, after your head’s been crammed with knowledge, you can pair the intimate descriptions of Islay’s history with a dram of whisky.

Ardbeg sits at the bottom of the Isle, a fair trek from the bustling Port Askaig that travellers usually pass through, but if you find yourself smitten by Islay whiskies, then Ardbeg is a must.

Lagavulin Distillery

Home of unusual pearl-shaped stills and peaty whiskies, Lagavulin Distillery, lets guests learn everything they want about the grain-to-glass process that makes up the austerely beautiful whisky. Lagavulin’s extensive offering of experiences is perfect for anyone – from the classic whisky tour that takes you to the malting floor to a sensory tasting.

But the paramount distillery experience you should indulge in is the Jazz Festival Experience, which involves 5 drams of whisky and jazz music. Lagavulin sits on the southern edge of the Isle of Islay and should be one of the distilleries to stop by during your visit, along with the other three distilleries that make up the Kildalton distilleries of Islay.

Laphroaig Distillery

The elements that make up the Isle of Islay are necessary for making the excellent whisky of Laphroaig Distillery. From the winding waters of the Kilbride Stream, the maritime climate of the Isle, the peat fields of Machrie Moor, and the powerful kilns that produce arguably the best Islay whisky, Laphroaig is tuned to the Isle wholeheartedly.

Helming the power of the elements to make delicious whisky is a dedicated family that loves to do things differently. Laphroaig’s core range of whiskies delivers a smoky yet spicy flavourful for you to enjoy, highlighting the raw energy of Islay.

You can visit Laphroaig in Port Ellen, a stunning part of Islay.

Kilchoman Distillery

Many of the whisky distilleries on Islay started as illegal stills dotted across the Isle, but only a few have kept the authentic farm distillery aesthetic of the distant past. Kilchoman Distillery is the only farm distillery boasting a rural flavour, which can be tasted in their fine Islay whisky brands.

This farm distillery boasts a farm-to-bottle process, with all the primary ingredients used to make exquisite whisky in one place. What that means for those visiting Kilchoman is that the distillery tour experience is unparalleled, with no step of the intricate process not covered by your expert guide. Capping the tours off are a few drams of the smooth, single malts to sweeten the deal.

Visit a distillery dedicated to the revival of the Scottish Gaelic farm when you visit Kilchoman.

Other Whisky Distilleries in Scotland

• Campbeltown Whisky Distilleries
• Glasgow Whisky Distilleries
• Isle of Mull Whisky Distilleries
• Isle of Orkney Whisky Distilleries
• Isle of Skye Whisky Distilleries
• Lowland Whisky Distilleries

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Visit Bunnahabhain

Visit Bunnahabhain. Whatever the weather, a warm welcome and spectacular view awaits you when visiting Islay distilleries like Bunnahabhain.

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Bunnahabhain Distillery

Port Askaig

Isle of Islay

• 10:00 - 17:00

How to get to us

If you are planning on driving and getting the ferry across; there are two ports on Islay: Port Ellen and Port Askaig. Ferries run throughout the year, from Oban, Kennacraig, and from some of our neighbouring islands, such as Jura. For more detail and to plan your trip, visit: https://www.calmac.co.uk .

Loganair operates flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports to Islay, and takes about 30 minutes to get to the island.  For more information, go to https://www.loganair.co.uk  

After arriving on Islay, one of the best ways to get around without a car is by taxi. These can be booked in advance (advised), or upon arrival (subject to availability).

The bus service on Islay is operated by B. Mundell Ltd. The closest bus stop is about 5 miles from our distillery in Port Askaig.  For more information and to view the timetable, visit http://www.bmundell.co.uk/islay-coaches.html

For those brave enough to walk or cycle, the road to the distillery is one of the most spectacular and peaceful on the whole island – albeit a hilly and windy one! The walk takes about one to one and a half hours from Port Askaig, but make sure you come prepared for changeable weather, as it is not uncommon for us to experience all four seasons in one day!

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Lagavulin Distillery Visitor Centre

Situated in a small bay near the south coast of Islay near the ruins of Dunyveg Castle, Lagavulin Distillery is thought to be one of the longest established distilleries in the country.

Take a peek at the ins and outs of our working distillery. From the breathtaking views of Lagavulin Bay to our unusual pear shaped stills. 

Situated at the picturesque Lagavulin Bay, this is an experience not to be missed. Take a tour of the distillery, see our distillers at work and view the unusual pear shaped stills. Peated malt, slow distillation and long maturation together ensure Lagavulin develops a complex, rich, peaty character. Lagavulin is a spirit which likes to take its time.

Advanced booking is essential. Book online on our website:  https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/lagavulin/tours

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• Ramp to main entrance
• Accessible toilets
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Licensed Bar
• Picnic Area

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On The Forgotten Isle of Jura, A Whisky Distillery Like No Other

Justin Mastine-Frost April 18, 2024

Islay, Speyside, The Highlands: these regions all brim with rich lore surrounding whisky production, but there’s nowhere quite like the Isle of Jura. It sits off Scotland’s West Coast, to the northeast of Islay and across the Caol Ila — a swift strait with a treacherous current, braved regularly by only a single ferry. The journey isn’t long, but travellers without iron constitutions might struggle with the toss and tumble of the often rough passage. While writing his seminal work 1984, novelist George Orwell spent just shy of three years visiting Jura, and called the island “unforgettable,” but also “un-get-at-able.” Once you reach its shores, you’ll understand that sentiment — as the sense of seclusion is palpable.

The Forgotten Isle of Jura

A single road connects the ferry’s slipway to the Jura distillery , and along its twists and turns you’re more likely to come across one of the island’s 6,000 red deer than you are to spot a fellow motorist. The human population of Jura runs barely north of 200 and, in the island’s main settlement — the east coast village of Craighouse — you’ll find only a solitary pub and two hotels with less than 30 rooms combined. This isn’t a tourism hot spot, nor a bustling urban centre, but rather an isolated community determined to preserve its whisky-making heritage, come hell or high water.

It’s a tradition built on almost two centuries of expertise, as the first distillery in Craighouse was established by the Campbell clan in 1810. It soon fell into disrepair, however, with the wealthy Campbells much-maligned by the local workforce. The distillery traded hands, and was registered as the “Isle of Jura Distillery” in 1831. Yet its problems persisted, and the distillery was shuttered and dismantled in the early 20th century, only to be reborn in its present form in 1963. By then, the island’s population had dwindled, but a new distillery was hailed as a possible path back to prosperity.

The Jura Distillery

Today, the island stands as strong as it’s ever been. The distillery runs its four tall stills 24-7, and produces more than two million litres of whisky every year: seven core expressions, and an assortment of travel retail exclusives. Previous limited-edition whiskies bore names derived from island folklore, including Superstition, Origin, and Prophecy. But, more recently, the distillery has tapped into local talent to create its rich and complex Islander’s Expressions series, with flavour profiles and packaging guided by regional artists.

Unlike the whiskies produced on nearby Islay, Jura’s expressions are primarily unpeated, and closer in style to those that hail from the Highlands. And, while only around five per cent of Jura’s whiskies use peated barley, these smokier distillates help master blenders Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE create the spirit’s distinctive character. The tall stills, American oak ex-bourbon casks, and filtered fresh water from the island combine to create a distinct, cohesive Jura flavour — one that captures the spirit of the distillery’s remote, natural location.

Because standing on wild Jura, with golden fields to the west and a roaring sea to the east, the words of Orwell ring true. It may feel “un-get-at-able,” but once you have arrived, it offers something of a respite: from the buzz of tourist shops, from bustling restaurant dining rooms, from the onslaught of emails and constant connection. It’s a side of Scotland well worth seeing — and throws a dram worth drinking into the bargain.

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Feis Ile 2024:  Dates, ticket info and limited edition whisky - music and malt festival returns to Islay

Late may sees the return of the much-loved islay festival, feis ile,.

The Islay Festival kicks off in May. Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Fèis Ìle 2024?

Fèis Ìle is set to run from 24 May to 1 June 2024.

What to expect from Fèis Ìle

This isn’t by any means a whisky-only festival - it’s a celebration of the island with music, dance, storytelling and a few whiskies.

For those who are visiting to see the distilleries, the festival is arranged so that each of the main distilleries have their own day of events, which usually include tours and tastings as well as live music.

Over the course of the ten days, each distillery has a day where they host tours and tastings, with a range of live music taking place across Islay.

Highlights usually always include Ardbeg Day and Bunnahabhain Day, which traditionally take place on the first Sunday and last Saturday.

Distillery days are are follows:

• Saturday 25 May - Lagavulin, Islay rum and Islay Whisky Vault
• Sunday 26 May - Bruichladdich,
• Monday 27 May - Caol Ila, Islay Gin and Islay Ales
• Tuesday 28 May - Laphroaig, Port Ellen, Indie Whisky Feis Ile
• Wednesday 29 May - Bowmore, Ardnahoe, Mac-Talla
• Thursday 30 May - Kilchoman, Islay Whisky Academy
• Friday 31 May - Bunnahabhain and Jura
• Saturday 1 June - Ardbeg Day

While all events are popular, fans go wild for Bruichladdich day and Ardbeg day making this a whisky fuelled week for those who have sorted out travel and accommodation.

For anyone not into whisky, there’s events for beer, gin and rum as well as cultural events that are well worth attending. Highlights from years gone by include the Mist'ry Bus Tour, ceilidhs and the everything but whisky festival at The Machrie.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fèis Ìle (@feis.ile) Earth Day 2024: Scottish businesses offering sustainable spirits and drinks

When are tickets on sale?

Tickets are available for Fèis Ìle events , which are on sale now.

Keep an eye on Fèis Ìle social media accounts, as well as those of your favourite Islay distilleries for updates.

What is Fèis Ìle?

Established almost 30 years ago, the festival of music and malt draws visitors from across the globe to the shores of the island each year to experience its community, culture, and its world-renowned whisky.

Fèis Ìle, which was initially staged to revive the island’s traditional Gaelic culture, has grown to become the major showcase for Islay’s food and drink operators.

Organised by a committee of volunteers and the island’s distilleries, the Fèis has recorded attendances of 9000 in recent years, three times its population.

Feis Ile 2024 Festival bottlings

These are always extremely popular, with more information available from the distilleries but so far we know that Ardbeg have announced their limited edition whisky, Ardbeg Spectacular , which is priced at £110 and will be available from 23 April. It paves the way for the Ardbeg theme, which is ‘dark circus’.

Find out more about Fèis Ìle here .

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