Islay is famous for a number of things: Mainly probably for its excellent Islay Single Malt Whiskies from the eight working distilleries. Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for the Barnacle Geese. There are a number of important historic sites included several Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. Islay has a number of beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs.

Islay is the most southerly of the Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. It is approx 25 miles long north-south and approx 20 miles wide east-west. The Kintyre peninsula is a few miles to the east, Northern Ireland is approx 20 miles to the south across the Irish Sea. Oh, and a good 2000 miles to the west you'll end up in Newfoundland and Labrador on the other side of the Atlantic. For a map and to look around try Isle of Islay on Google Maps

Islay is pronounced ‘eye-la’. Try not to pronounce it Izley or anything similar, unless you immediately want to out yourself as a clueless tourist. In any case Islay is the anglicised spelling, the Gaelic version is Ile. And once you've mastered Islay you can try some of the many place names on Islay with Gaelic origins like Kilchoman (hint: the c is silent, i.e Kilhoman), Bunnahabhain or Beinn Bheigeir.

The weather on Islay can be described as moderate, mainly because of the Gulf Stream. There aren't any real extremes, i.e you won't often experience scorching hot days during the summer or freezing cold days during the winter (the winter storms can be quite strong though). Islay receives its fair share of rain (hey, the distilleries need a lot of water), but also a lot of brilliant sunshine. As in most places in Scotland the weather can change very quickly, so be prepared when going for a walk.

Yes, there are a number of books about Islay: A good entry level book with quite a few pictures is Islay (Pevensey Island Guides) by Norman Newton. If you're interested in whisky and Islay the best book is probably Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and Its Whiskies by Andrew Jefford. Some nice pictures from someone knowing the islands well can be found in Islay and Jura (Images of Scotland) by George Robertson, the former NATO General Secretary.

Islay is mostly quite flat (apart from the very steep hill at Port Askaig) cycling is a good option (unless the wind stops you in your tracks). You can either bring your own bike or rent one on Islay. While certainly not as frequent as in an urban area there is a regular bus service between the major villages. The service links Portnahaven, Port Charlotte, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bowmore and Port Ellen.

There are currently eight working whisky distilleries on Islay, with a ninth one expected to open soon. The eight existing ones are (in alphabetical order): Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. The ninth distillery will be the Port Charlotte Distillery (more about the Port Charlotte Distillery Warehouse On Islay). In addition to the distilleries on Islay there is also the Isle of Jura Distillery on neighbouring Jura.

There's a lot you can do on Islay, too much to list here. A few options include visiting the distilleries, visit the many historic sites including Finlaggan or the Churches and Celtic Crosses on Islay, visit one of the many beaches or watch Islay's varied wildlife. Birdwatching is very popular, either visit the RSPB Loch Gruinart Reserve or go on a birdwatching tour with Islay Birding. Islay offers excellent walks, the annual WalkIslay walking week offers guided walks.

There are a number of options where to stay on Islay, from the luxurious to the budget option. Islay has seven hotels, my personal favourite being the Port Charlotte Hotel. There are a number of B&Bs and guesthouses as well as a large variety of self-catering accommodation. If you are on a budget you might want to consider the youth hostel. You can find links to a number of places in the Accommodation on Islay section of my Islay links page.

Islay is in Scotland which in turn is part of the United Kingdom the official language is English, to a lesser or larger extent with a Scottish accent/dialect. Quite a few people also speak Scottish Gaelic, which is taught at schools and at the Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle (Columba Centre) near Bowmore.

The type of map you need depends on what you plan to do on Islay: If you only plan to visit the distilleries and other major tourist attractions, any decent road map or tourist map should be sufficient. If you plan to go walking you need something better: For an easy walk the Islay (Landranger Maps) (1:50,000 scale) should be sufficient.

Yes, there is. I've developed a printable Islay guide (PDF file) which you can download and print off to take with you. Visit the page to download the latest edition.

You won't get bored on a rainy day either, there's a lot to do on Islay: You could go for a swim at the MacTaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore. Or visit the Museum of Islay life in Port Charlotte, alternatively the Islay Natural History Trust, also in Port Charlotte. Visiting the distilleries is also an option on a rainy day. See also how I've spent A rainy day on Islay with my sister.

First of all hopefully great memories from a wonderful visit. The obvious choice for a souvenir is Islay Single Malt Whisky, available from the distillery shops. If you don't like whisky may be take a few bottles from Islay Ales? For tartan you should try the Islay Woollen Mill while you can't go wrong with some pottery from Persabus Pottery. Islay Studios sells some beautiful pictures from Islay, while Elizabeth Sykes Batiks offers a variety of prints from her batiks.

In particular if you are staying in self-catering accommodation you might need to know where you can get your (grocery) shopping done. The largest shop on Islay is the Co-Op in Bowmore. There are further shops in Port Ellen, Bridgend, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. A small delicatessen shop can be found at Kilchoman Distillery.

There are five petrol stations (or gas stations for Americans) on Islay I can think of: Port Ellen (on Charlotte Street next to the White Hart Hotel), Bowmore (Jamieson Street, off Main Street), Bridgend (right at the square), Port Charlotte (next to the Spar shop/ post office on Main Street) and Port Askaig (next to the waiting area for the Kennacraig ferry).

There are a number of options to access the internet on Islay: The easiest is probably the The MacTaggart Community Cybercafé at 30 Mansefield Place in Port Ellen, Islay. From the ferry terminal walk along Frederick Crescent, just past the Co-op turn left into Mansfield Road. At the first junction turn right, you should then see it on the left hand side. Broadband has been available on Islay for a few years now, some accommodation providers now provide wireless internet access.

Royal Bank of Scotland, Bowmore (Tel. +44(0)1496-810555) is on Main Street at the square. Cash machine available. Bank of Scotland, Bowmore (Tel. +44(0)1496-810285) is on Shore Street at the corner with Hawthorn Lane. Cash machine available. Royal Bank of Scotland, Port Ellen (Tel. +44(0)1496-302314) is on Frederick Crescent near School Street.

Yeah. Twice. And both times I only found out about it after people e-mailed me saying, "We saw your picture in the paper and had to check out your site..." I find reading such a message to be unnerving. I wish someone just scribbled off an e-mail to me saying, "Mr. Geib, whether you like it or not we are going to write an article about your webpage..." Common courtesy.

Actually, yes I have. Quite a few actually. With my job I get to travel alot, and have an opportunity to meet alot of interesting people. It's one of the things I really like about my job.

When you drive around on Islay you'll notice that quite a few people will give you a short wave when you're passing. Some will just lift a finger, others the whole hand. Nothing to worry about, you're not suddenly famous and there's nothing wrong with your car. They're just friendly, as most people on Islay. Just join in, you'll soon pick it up and enjoy it.

There's a quite a variety of places where you can get something to eat: All the hotels offer food, most people I know say the food at the Port Charlotte Hotel is the best on Islay. Then there's the Croft Kitchen in Port Charlotte or the Cottage Restaurant in Bowmore. Excellent lunches can be enjoyed in the Old Kiln Cafe at Ardbeg Distillery. In Portnahaven head for the An Tigh Seinnse pub for a pint and some food.

Islay is the most southerly of the Inner Hebrides, around 20 miles north of Northern Ireland and a few miles off the west coast of Scotland. Bowmore is on roughly the same latitude as Glasgow. You can get here by either car ferry from Kennacraig (south of Tarbert) or by air from Glasgow Airport.

Much the same as they do elsewhere I should imagine but, if you mean for employment then there's the ubiquitous distilleries, fishing, agriculture, tourism and creating websites like this one (well at least that's what I do)

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