Islay Woolen Mill is one of the major venues for visitors to Islay, if only for the chance to wield Mel Gibson’s broadsword from “Braveheart”.

There is much detail about the business at their own site, so I will confine myself to the environs and some personal reflections.

Located on the Port Askaig road a few miles north of Bridgend, a fairly subtle sign on the eastern side of the road points to Mill. Just before the mill the unmade (watch your suspension) road crosses a small bridge and it is worth walking to it to admire one of Islay’s nicest waterfalls. The drop here is the reason the mill occupies this site.

From the outside the mill is a bit unprepossessing but it is a working facility and inside it is a wonderland of machinery and gifts.

The owner, Mr Covell, will be pleased to show you round the factory and explain its history. Some of the machinery is unique and historical, much of it still in use.

The Tartans for Braveheart were made here as was Forest Gump’s tweed jacket. You will find locally made woolens and tweeds and many smaller gift ideas, my personal favourite is the Braveheart bookmarks which I give away to friends and visitors.

After looking round and if the weather permits follow the small track behind the mill to see the beautiful stretch of river that runs here, there is a walkway which will take you along this stretch to a small bridge, if you stand on the bridge you can see our local Brown trout in the quieter water.

if you follow the road the bridge carries along to the right you will come to a gate, turning right there brings you back to the mill, a lovely little walk on a sunny day. You can just see the bridge in the lower left photograph.

Mt Covell has recently restored one of the buildings opposite the mill. It is a beautiful restoration and he has put several of the older machines in there as a small museum. Chief amongst these is an operational hand loom.

In the lower part he has created a meeting room which I have not seen yet.