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Southern Hebrides · Region

Islay and Jura

Peat smoke, warehouses and the Paps.

Islay is whisky country, and it is also beaches, geese and some of the best seafood in the Hebrides. Jura, across a short sound, is one road, one distillery and a lot of deer.

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Lagavulin distillery's white warehouses on the shore of Islay at dusk, seen across the bay
Lagavulin, Isle of Islay

Islay and Jura

Whisky at the source.

Islay makes some of the most distinctive whisky in the world, from the peated malts of the south coast to the lighter spirit of the north. It is its own whisky region under the Scotch Whisky Regulationsverify.

We arrange warehouse sessions: time in a bonded warehouse, a valinch and a cask, with someone who knows it. They are available at some distilleries and not othersverify, change from year to year and fill quickly around the May festival.

Jura is ten minutes away across the Sound of Islay. Gigha, on the way, is a small green island with a garden and a white beach.

Common questions

Islay and Jura, answered.

Read the full guide ↓

Do we need to like whisky?

It helps, but no. Islay is beautiful on its own, and the seafood is the other reason to come.

Can we visit during Fèis Ìle?

Yes, if you book a year ahead. Otherwise come in the week after.

Routes

Routes through Islay and Jura.

All routes
Lagavulin distillery's white warehouses on the shore of Islay at dusk, seen across the bay
Lagavulin, Isle of Islay

7–9 nights · Kintyre · Islay · Jura

Whisky by sea

Four ferries · Two warehouses · No driving after tastings

  • Down Loch Fyne and Kintyre, with a night near Gigha
  • Four nights on Islay with a warehouse tasting at two distilleries
  • A night on Jura, under the Paps
  • The crossing from Port Askaig back to Oban

Suggested7–9 nightsTailored to your dates · no package price

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Experiences

Private days in Islay and Jura.

All experiences
Lagavulin distillery's white warehouses on the shore of Islay at dusk, seen across the bay
Lagavulin, Isle of Islay

Islay and Jura

An Islay warehouse tasting

Time in a bonded warehouse with a cask and someone who knows it.

Where to stay

Stays in Islay and Jura.

Placeholders: the kind of place we would suggest, until our specialists confirm the houses and hotels we use.

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Illustration

Hotel

[PLACEHOLDER] A small hotel in Port Ellen

On the distillery coast, walking distance to dinner.

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Illustration

Self-catering

[PLACEHOLDER] A house on Loch Indaal

For a family or friends, between Bowmore and Port Charlotte.

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Illustration

Hotel

[PLACEHOLDER] The island hotel on Jura

In Craighouse, by the distillery.

Daylight by month, EdinburghJAN 7 h 37 min, FEB 9 h 38 min, MAR 11 h 47 min, APR 14 h 11 min, MAY 16 h 18 min, JUN 17 h 34 min, JUL 17 h 01 min, AUG 15 h 07 min, SEP 12 h 48 min, OCT 10 h 30 min, NOV 8 h 17 min, DEC 7 h 00 minJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECLongest day17 h 34 minEdinburgh

Best time to visit

The Islay and Jura year.

April to June and September. Fèis Ìle, the whisky festival, is in late Mayverify: plan early or avoid it. Daylight shown for Edinburgh, the nearest Light calendar station; the best months are in bold.

  • Puffins and seabirdsMay · Jun · JulShetland, Orkney, the Treshnish Islesverify
  • MidgesJun · Jul · AugWorst on still evenings on the west coastverify
  • Red stag seasonJul · Aug · Sep · OctHighland and island estates. Never part of our trips unless askedverify
  • Fèis ÌleMayIslay, late Mayverify
  • Barnacle geeseJan · Feb · Mar · Oct · Nov · DecIslay, Loch Gruinartverify

Month by month on the Light calendar

Islay and Jura

Your guide to Islay and Jura.

How many distilleries?

Two a day, at most. One in the morning, one after lunch, and only one tasting with the driving. We arrange a driver for the warehouse days.

Beyond whisky

Machir Bay and Saligo on the west side, the Oa for golden eagles, and in winter the barnacle geeseverify that cover the fields around Loch Gruinart.

Getting there

Kennacraig Port Ellen, Islay CalMac
Kennacraig Port Askaig, Islay CalMac
Port Askaig, Islay Feolin, Jura Jura ferry
Tayinloan Gigha CalMac

Islay also has flights from Glasgow. Routes and operatorsverify pending a specialist check.

Photographs

Islay and Jura, in pictures.

Low sun and cloud over the wet sand of Machir Bay on Islay
Machir Bay, Isle of Islay

Speak to a specialist

Plan your trip to Islay and Jura.

Tell us when, who’s coming, and what you’re hoping for. One person plans it and looks after you.

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