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The Museum of Islay Life is in Port Charlotte and covers all aspects of Islay life from ancient time up until today. In the museum you will find Victoriana displayed in two room settings. There is a section on the history of whisky making, legal and otherwise. Many carved stones dating from the 6th to the 16th century are in the grounds. There is an extensive reference collection of material on Islay including many historic photographs. This is not to be missed if you are visiting us. A very good account of this is to be found at the Indaal site. The Taj Mahal is located on Shore Street in Bowmore, opened at Easter 2003 in what was formerly Shafi’s shop this restaurant offers excellent Indian food at a very reasonable price. They open at 5 and close at 11 so if you are a late diner this is your only choice on the island. Quaintly, because of the incredible length of time it takes to get a table licence in Argyll and Bute, you must take your own bottle. Also take cash – there is a small charge for paying by cheque or card. |
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Shops Bowmore is the shopping centre of the island though there are other nice shops around. I regularly shop in the Celtic Craft Shop and the Celtic house myself.
Other shops in the village include:
Islay has two fine butchers, both in Bowmore and both within a few yards of each other. On the main Street is Gilbert MacTaggart. This shop is currently closed. Every cut of beef is from Islay and virtually every beast comes from the farm it’s been born on. They purchase animals on a regular basis from Rockside, Octomore, Lorgba croft, Balliemartin and Daill with occasional purchases from Dunlossit estate, Carrabus, Ardbeg and Blackrock. The champion lambs at the local Islay show have been purchased by them for the past 5 years and 2 years for the champion beef animal. Just round the corner is “Billy the Butcher”. Billy is a small family butcher specialising in quality meat, Billy is a personal friend and I cannot fault the quality of his meat. This is where I go to by my Christmas turkey and new year duck. The meat is of the finest quality and his sausages have won awards – a must try while you are here, especially the sausages. top of page |
The Machrie Golf Course The Machrie Hotel hotel boasts a fine 18 hole golf course which is available to visitors to enjoy a round. To find out more follow this link, you will be able to contact the secretary of the club by e-mail for more information. |
Islay House Square, in a bold development Islay Estates have opened up this nearly derelict area and rennovated it to include a number of small craft and industrial units. If you drive north out of Bridgend you will find it less than a kilometre north signposted as “Batique Studio” and “Islay Quilters”. More …
The Islay Natural History Trust The Islay Natural History Trust is an excellent visit when in Port Charlotte, the building is a converted bond once belonging to Port Charlotte distillery. Occupying to whole ground floor there are exhibitions, a well stocked library and a lecture room. More about this can be found on the Indaal site. top of pageIslay Marine Charters Roger Eaton runs the fishing boat ‘the Angie‘, when I can I go out fishing with him on his regular trips. Angling gear is available on board and trips of varying lengths are available. Call (01496) 850436 for more information. The three pictures below were taken while on a fishing trip with the Angie, the first two show her docked at Port Askaig and the last one is the wreck off Bunnahabhain. Click on the pictures for the full-sized photograph. |
Persabus Pottery Just off the main road to Port Askaig, within a mile or so of the ferry port there is a signpost for Bunnahabhain. 100 yards up the road in a small outbuilding of the farm Persabus Pottery produces fine earthenware. It’s well worth a visit if you are looking for a unique memento of your visit to Islay. more … top of pageIslay Dive Centre Over the centuries many boats have been wrecked around the rocky and storm battered shores of our islands. Today they make an interesting subject for divers. The Islay dive Centre specialises in dives around these fascinating relics. There are other activities on offer on their website Distilleries Let’s face it, Islay is about whisky, we have 7 working distilleries on Islay and 1 on Jura. Of the distilleries only Bowmore and Ardbeg have regularly scheduled tours but the rest will take you round by appointment. Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Bruichladdich have websites of their own. Useful information can be found at Islay Whisky website. Bowmore and Ardbeg have regularly scheduled tours, the others will give you a tour if you phone. See the Information page for telephone numbers. Finlaggan Finlaggan was the main residence of the Lords of the Isles during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. A visitor centre leads the visitor through this important period of our history. The ‘time team’ have had important input to out understanding of this famous site. See the Finlaggan website. Cafes There are several Cafes around the Island where you can get a snack and a cup of tea or coffee.
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The Islay Woolen Mill The Woolen Mill is a long standing family business where fine tweeds are made. The tartans for the film Braveheart were made here and the proprietor will show you round the establishment if you ask. A fascinating visit. More … RSPB RESERVE Up on the shores of Loch Gruniard the RSPB reserve has a visitor centre and a helpful and enthusiastic staff. The wetlands there are carefully managed and there is an excellent hide where you can observe the many species of bird which live here and visit. Bring your own binoculars. Phone 850505 Islay Birding Islay’s only bird watching tour guides/safaris |
Jura House and Gardens No visit to Jura is complete without a walk around these wonderful gardens and the extensive forest and beach walkways. see the Jura page.
*This is not a commercial site, I do not ask for or receive any payment for this page.
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