Top Things to do in Islay
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What to do and see in Islay, Scotland: The Best Distillery Tours
The Isle of Islay spans 240 square miles, with an impressive 130 miles of coastline. The island is famous for its malt whiskies, and there are eight distilleries on the island. To be sure, many people visit the Isle to tour distilleries and "appreciate" whisky, but the wildlife and scenery are also a big draw. Bird-watching is particularly popular through the year. Just don't try to squeeze it in after a distillery tour or two. Looking through binoculars has been known to make some people woozy, especially after whisky.
Restaurants in Islay
1. 4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION This tour takes you to a Scottish island paradise, with stunning scenery, ancient history, traditional culture and 8 of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries. WHAT’S INCLUDED? • Minibus transport (max 16 guests) • Return Ferries to/from Islay • Services of a professional tour guide • Tour and tasting at Oban Distillery • Lagavulin Warehouse Experience • Tour and tastings at Ardbeg • Tour and exclusive tasting at Laphroaig • Tour and tasting Bruichladdich • Tour and exclusive tasting at Kilchoman • Cask Tasting at Bunnahabhain • 3 nights B&B accommodation at The Bowmore House or Freewinds
Inclusions: 3 nights accommodation at Bowmore House or Freewinds, Islay, Breakfast x 3, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Small-group tour (max 16 people), Transport by air-conditioned mini bus, Alcoholic Beverages
Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner, Gratuities
Reviewed By BluePete
I am a return customer to Scottish routes, I last visited Islay in June 2016 I enjoyed that tour and I have just returned from a 5 day break which I really enjoyed. Mark the tour guide was great he made sure everyone had a good time. There were only 5 people on this trip. What can you say about Islay, peaceful quiet and stunningly beautiful. The weather gods looked down on us favourably. The whisky was great , the Bowmore guest house is terrific all covid 19 precautions were adhered to , the breakfast was as usual excellent and the room very comfortable. Everyone on the trip had a great time, here's to the next time.
2. 4-Day Islay and the Whisky Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 48 reviews
Visit the Isle of Islay in the Scottish Hebrides on a 4-day tour from Edinburgh, and discover its famously friendly people, stunning landscapes, and most importantly – its whisky! Having produced Scotland's finest smoky malt whiskies for more than 200 years, Islay provides the perfect base for whisky lovers and novices alike. Enjoy three nights of accommodation in the 4-star Bowmore Distillery Cottages (not available on Wednesday departures)** and discover up to six different distilleries, including big-name sites like Laphroaig and Ardbeg, with a guide. Numbers are limited to 16 on this small-group tour, ensuring you’ll see the best of Islay with personalized attention with your guide. ** (Monday and Friday departures: only B&B available; Wednesday departures only 3-star Hotel available)
Inclusions: 3 nights en-suite accommodation, Driver Guide, Transport by top of the range Mercedes mini-coach, Ferry crossings
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop off, Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Entrance fees to the distilleries and Kimartin House Museum
Reviewed By 464kathyi
Just returned from a lovely trip to the beautiful city of Edinburgh, can't wait to go back ???? During my stay I booked two 1 day tours with Rabbis. Firstly a huge thank you for running the tours with just the 2 of us, our stay had been planned around these days out so very grateful they went ahead. The Outlander tour with Lizzie was amazing as was Lizzie, she went out of her way to ensure we had a great day even though the weather was a bit liquidy! She was extremely knowledgeable about the Outlander series/locations and Scottish history in general, many thanks Lizzie. Our second tour was to St Andrews and the fishing villages of Fife with David who was fab, he was extremely helpful, flexible, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. The villages were beautiful and St Andrews was stunning, we were also fortunate enough to have lovely sunny weather. I would highly recommend both tours and guides! Kathy ☀️☔????
3. The Private Islay Platinum Whisky Tour - Flexible pickups - Scotland
***** Bespoke pickup and drop off ***** Take a whiskywheels.scot tour through Scotland’s rich whisky history by tasting and learning about the ‘water of life’ on a four-day tour from the pickup location of your choice. Explore the beauty of our country first-hand as we travel past Loch Lomond up to Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland. Then down the west coast to Islay. • We visit all of Islay’s whisky distilleries. • Full standard whisky tours at Oban, Lagavulin, Kilchoman and Bowmore. • Tutored tastings at Ardbeg and Clydeside distilleries. • Stops to gift shops and whisky tastes at Laphroaig, Bruichladdich and Ardnahoe. (Also, Caol Isla. Currently under construction) • Lunch at the Drovers Inn, Ardbeg restaurant and Port Charlotte hotel. • Return ferry to Islay is included. • Free time each evening. We can recommend places to eat. On our route back to your drop off, we stop at the world-renowned Loch Fyne whisky shop and to Clydeside, the Glasgow city distillery.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 21pagon
This tour has 3 different and unique distilleries. Macallan was a must see for us and when you add Glenfiddich and Glenlivet it was a win. Each one was different enough to make the day interesting, fun and educational. I would not miss Glenlivet or Macallan. Ewan was a fantastic host, kept us on time, knowledgeable on the distilleries, shared his Scotland with us and pointed out “sight-seeing” opportunities as we drove through the Highlands. Prepare for a long day, but worth the investment if learning and experiencing the Scotch making process and history is important to you. The Highlands scenery was a bonus-beautiful country!
4. The Ultimate Malt Whisky Tour
As a full service tour operator, we organise everything, including accommodation, dining, excursions, driving, providing the most exceptional luxury tours Scotland & Ireland have to offer. Allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of our countries and have the most memorable and luxurious vacation. Submit your enquiry today and we will send further details to begin planning your trip of a lifetime.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Dinner, Chauffeur, Excursions, V.A.T
Exclusions: Flights
5. 4-Day Islay Whisky Tour from Glasgow
Once you have been picked up in Glasgow we will head to Kennacraig Ferry Terminal. On the way we will pass Loch Long and Loch Fyne, we will also stop at the Rest and be Thankful to take photographs and have a wee Dram of Whisky. We will stop for lunch at Inveraray prior to reaching Kennacraig Ferry Terminal. During our 4 day tour we will visit and undertake tours of 8 Whisky Distilleries.
Inclusions: Shortbread, Water & a wee Dram of Whisky
Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Meal, Accommodation, Entry/Tours of all Whisky Distillery Tours, Entry/Admission to any attractions
Reviewed By 206sadiqa
Due to covid restrictions all tourist attractions needed to be booked in advance. A mix up with the trip advisor booking meant Sergio/Serca tours weren't able to get us that information in time but Sergio was able to adapt the tour for us at the last minute and we visited Stirling Castle instead of Inveraray. At Stirling Castle we were able to buy a ticket (through our smartphone) on arrival which was lucky for us so we still got to see a Scottish castle. We then went on to see Doune Castle and various sight seeing points around Loch Lomond including a stop at an old Inn for Lunch and Luss Pier for an afternoon stroll. Very enjoyable day out with our very friendly and knowledgeable guide Sergio.
