Carnain Holiday Cottage

Isle Of Islay

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More About Islay

Islay, ‘Queen of the Hebrides’, is famed for its whiskies and has beautiful sandy beaches, excellent trout and salmon fishing, an 18 hole links golf course, fabulous wildlife and spectacular scenery.  Islay was once the capital of the Clan Donald’s Lordship of the Isles.  The Finlaggan Trust, at Ballygrant, offers the opportunity to explore the medieval remains of this Gaelic empire’s defiance against Scotland’s monarchy. There is also the Kildalton Cross that stands in the chapel grounds on the lands of Ardmore, to the East of the Island.  This is the only complete Celtic High Cross in Scotland, Carved circa AD800.

Islay has 7 working distilleries – Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Laphroaig – visits can be arranged (details in the cottage).  There are numerous beautiful beaches – some of the most beautiful can be found on the West Coast at Saligo Bay and Machir Bay.  Loch Gruinart also has lovely beaches, particularly at Tayovullin.

Laggan Bay, accessed from the road between Bowmore and Port Ellen, has 10 km of sandy beach looking westward.  It is an ideal place to fly kites.  This beach is also known as ‘The Big Strand’.

Fishing is available from Foreland, Islay and Laggan Estates.  (details in the cottage)

The links golf course is part of the Machrie Hotel and has stunning views out over the West Coast to Laggan Bay, the Oa and beyond to Ireland.  The course was originally laid out in 1891 and apart from a few changes made in the 1970s is relatively unchanged.  Because Islay lies in the Gulf Stream the climate is relatively mild and it is possible to play a round of golf virtually all year round.  

The RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart is an excellent place to see birds.  The mudflats at the head of the loch provide winter grazing, as do many of the surrounding farms, to huge flocks of Barnacle and Greenland geese.  The geese arrive in late October.  The island is also home to rare species, such as the Corn Crake. 

Port Charlotte is a small village on the Rhinns of Islay, to the west of the cottage.  It has rows of whitewashed, well-kept cottages.  The museum of Islay life, the Croft Kitchen (good food – open April to October – booking recommended – 01496 850230), the Port Charlotte Hotel (nice bar meals and good restaurant – 01496 850360) and the Loch Indaal pub.  There is also a Wildlife Information Centre filled with information on natural history, recent sightings of wildlife, flora and fauna.  It’s very hands on and interactive with a kids area and activity days available.

Pony trekking is available at Rockside Farm, near Machir Bay.  The trek often takes you down to the beach which is wonderful.  (01496 850231).  Bikes can be hired at the Post Office in Bowmore, near the Round Church.  (01496 850488)

On the South West peninsula of the island the Oa (pronounced ‘Oh’) there is a monument to commemorate the shipwrecks in nearby waters of two American ships, the Tuscania and the Otranto, both of which sank in 1918 at the end of WWI.  The obelisk looks out to sea from a spectacular headland.  Take care, as the cliffs around the monument are sheer. 

Favourite walks – to the American monument at the Oa, round Machrie beach to Granny’s Rock, along the big Strand at Laggan.  Circular walk around Ardnave Point.  There is a book in the cottage detailing a number of walks on Islay, with times, difficulty, routes etc.