Guidebook for Isle of Islay
Restaurants and Bars
Finest local seafood and a huge selection of Islay Malts in the Whisky Bar
15 locals recommend
The Islay Hotel
19 Charlotte StFinest local seafood and a huge selection of Islay Malts in the Whisky Bar
SeaSalt Bistro & Takeaway
57 Frederick CresNo. 1 Charlotte Street
1 Charlotte StreetContemporary spacious restaurant overlooking the 18th green of the golf course with views down to Laggan Bay.
The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links
Contemporary spacious restaurant overlooking the 18th green of the golf course with views down to Laggan Bay.
Seasonal dishes using fresh and locally sourced produce of the highest quality. Fresh seafood supplied by local fisherman. Relax by the open fire in the Schooner Barn and choose from a huge selection of whiskies.
The Harbour Inn
Seasonal dishes using fresh and locally sourced produce of the highest quality. Fresh seafood supplied by local fisherman. Relax by the open fire in the Schooner Barn and choose from a huge selection of whiskies.
Enjoy dishes using local produce in the dining conservatory overlooking Bowmore's harbour and Loch Indaal. Huge selection of local and rare whisky.
7 locals recommend
The Lochside Hotel & Restaurant
20 Shore StEnjoy dishes using local produce in the dining conservatory overlooking Bowmore's harbour and Loch Indaal. Huge selection of local and rare whisky.
Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Great for lunch or informal dinner.
13 locals recommend
Peatzeria
22 Shore StItalian restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Great for lunch or informal dinner.
Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant
Shore StreetGolden Dragon
The SquareIslay House
Delicious fresh and local food in a fabulous location in Islay's most historic house.
Quality local produce using seasonal ingredients to create a varied menu which changes regularly. Local musicians play regularly in the bar.
11 locals recommend
Port Charlotte Hotel
Main StreetQuality local produce using seasonal ingredients to create a varied menu which changes regularly. Local musicians play regularly in the bar.
Port Mor Centre
A847Lochindaal Hotel
10 Main StUninterrupted sea views of the Loch Indaal and lighthouse serving fresh local seafood with seating outside and in, depending on what our Scottish weather has to offer with a lovely cosy log burner for those cooler days.
7 locals recommend
Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen
Uninterrupted sea views of the Loch Indaal and lighthouse serving fresh local seafood with seating outside and in, depending on what our Scottish weather has to offer with a lovely cosy log burner for those cooler days.
Ballygrant Inn
Port Askaig Hotel and Stores
Bridgend Hotel
Cafes
The Balaclava Byre
Farmshop/cafe with a view - on the outskirts of Port Ellen
Wonderful shop full of gifts and books of local interest. There is also clothing and a cafe on the first floor.
The Celtic House
Shore StreetWonderful shop full of gifts and books of local interest. There is also clothing and a cafe on the first floor.
The Munchie Box
Take away cafe at the top of the hill - next to the Round Church
Cafe at Kilchoman Distillery serving delicious home-made cakes, soups, paninis, coffees etc
10 locals recommend
Kilchoman Distillery
Cafe at Kilchoman Distillery serving delicious home-made cakes, soups, paninis, coffees etc
'The Illicit Still Cafe at Islay's newest distillery tea, coffee and home baking in a wonderful open space with views of the Paps of Jura
9 locals recommend
Ardnahoe Distillery
'The Illicit Still Cafe at Islay's newest distillery tea, coffee and home baking in a wonderful open space with views of the Paps of Jura
Shops
Spirited Soaps
40 Main StNatural handmade soaps using whisky & gin from Islay & Jura.
Wonderful shop full of gifts and books of local interest. There is also clothing and a cafe on the first floor.
The Celtic House
Shore StreetWonderful shop full of gifts and books of local interest. There is also clothing and a cafe on the first floor.
The Islay Whisky Shop
Main StreetStocking a wide range of whisky from Islay and Scotland.
Islay Ales
A small, traditional 4-barrel brewery.
A family run business with a wide selection of quality woven fabrics and gifts.
8 locals recommend
Islay Woollen Mill Co Ltd
A family run business with a wide selection of quality woven fabrics and gifts.
Handspun wool and knitwear, Staghorn sticks and a great range of knitting wool and patterns.
Tormisdale Croft Crafts
Handspun wool and knitwear, Staghorn sticks and a great range of knitting wool and patterns.
Pottery made in and inspired by Islay. Pottery workshops also available.
Persabus Pottery and Ceramic Cafe,
Pottery made in and inspired by Islay. Pottery workshops also available.
Distilleries
Laphroaig Distillery
Lagavulin
Ardbeg Distillery Ltd
Bowmore Distillery
School StreetBunnahabhain Distillery
Caol Ila Distillery
Ardnahoe Distillery
Kilchoman Distillery
Bruichladdich Distillery
Sporting Activities
See Islay from a different angle through a variety of different boat trips on offer - from wildlife spotting to fishing and seafood trips.
Islay Sea Adventures
See Islay from a different angle through a variety of different boat trips on offer - from wildlife spotting to fishing and seafood trips.
Kayak Wild Islay
Guided sea kayak and fat bike tours
Mactaggart Leisure Centre
School StreetLeisure centre and swimming pool set in Bowmore (near the distillery)
Islay E Wheels
See more by bike! Offering standard and electric bikes for hire.
An iconic Scottish championship links stretching to over 7000 yards set on unique dunelands bordering on the magnificent Laggan Bay in Islay.
The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links
An iconic Scottish championship links stretching to over 7000 yards set on unique dunelands bordering on the magnificent Laggan Bay in Islay.
Historic Interest
Housing a large and fascinating collection of objects, books, photographs and stories all illustrating life in Islay from prehistoric to recent times.
9 locals recommend
The Museum of Islay Life
Daal TerraceHousing a large and fascinating collection of objects, books, photographs and stories all illustrating life in Islay from prehistoric to recent times.
Finlaggan
The centre of the Lordship of the Isles
A monolithic Celtic cross in the churchyard of the former parish church of Kildalton. Thought to be carved in the second half of the 8th century AD
10 locals recommend
Kildalton Cross
A monolithic Celtic cross in the churchyard of the former parish church of Kildalton. Thought to be carved in the second half of the 8th century AD
Kilchoman Cross
Dating from the 14th or 15th century.
A memorial to the hundreds of American servicemen who were killed when two troop ships were lost off Islay in 1918. The monument stand high on the coast on The Oa with incredible views across to Kintyre and Ireland.
American Monument
A memorial to the hundreds of American servicemen who were killed when two troop ships were lost off Islay in 1918. The monument stand high on the coast on The Oa with incredible views across to Kintyre and Ireland.
Wildlife
Nature centre which also host a number of natural history walks and children's activities.
Islay Natural History Trust
33 Main StNature centre which also host a number of natural history walks and children's activities.
Nature reserve and visitor centre. RSPB also have a reserve on The Oa with guided walks.
6 locals recommend
RSPB Loch Gruinart, Islay
Nature reserve and visitor centre. RSPB also have a reserve on The Oa with guided walks.