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    Islay and Its Whiskies: The ONLY Islay Guidebook you need
    Islay and Its Whiskies: The ONLY Islay Guidebook you need
    Islay and Its Whiskies: The ONLY Islay Guidebook you need
    Ebook73 pages39 minutes

    Islay and Its Whiskies: The ONLY Islay Guidebook you need

    By Maggie McLeod

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    About this ebook

    For whisky fans and their travelling buddies.

    This insightful and well-researched pocket guidebook is all you need to enhance your Islay visit. It is the ideal companion for the Scotch whisky dreamers and those who share a passion for Scotland’s islands.

    Pop it in your back pocket and set off. Information at a glance with no need to plan or study beforehand.  

    There are 10 world-famous Scotch whisky distilleries to discover, all with useful insider tips clearly listed. Islay’s other treasures are not forgotten either: ancient history, archaeology and Islay’s amazing bird life also feature.

    There are suggested daily tour routes around Islay highlighting what to look out for. There are also details of day tours to the nearby Islands of Jura and Colonsay.

    The author has been guiding groups from all over the world for almost 20 years and is very much aware of what visitors actually want. This guidebook has it all!
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAustin Macauley Publishers
    Release dateJun 23, 2023
    ISBN9781398421080
    Islay and Its Whiskies: The ONLY Islay Guidebook you need
    Author

    Maggie McLeod

    Maggie McLeod, a native Scot, living in Edinburgh, is a professional Scottish tourist guide (Blue Badge). Blue Badge guides are the official accredited tourist guides recognised by Scottish government and Visit Scotland. Maggie has a certificate in Scottish studies from the University of Edinburgh, holds a diploma in Wines & Spirits and is a Scotch Whisky ambassador. Maggie has travelled extensively throughout Scotland guiding individuals and small groups over the last 20 years but the islands have always been her passion.

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      Book preview

      Islay and Its Whiskies - Maggie McLeod

      Background

      The Inner Hebridean Island of Islay (pronounced Aye la) is surrounded by sea, steeped in history, and immersed in Whisky.

      Islay is also known as the Happy Isle, perhaps due to the longevity of the islanders or the nine (currently), fine Malt Whisky Distilleries dispersed throughout the Island. Islay certainly punches above her weight economically as she provides ¼ of Scotland’s Malt Whisky exports.

      Islay is approximately 25 miles from north to south and 14 miles from east to west with a population of around 3,500 Ileachs. An Ileach really refers to those born on the Island, however, many inhabitants are not Islay-born but have chosen to make their home there. Islay is very fertile island, aka the Queen of the Hebrides. This is probably the reason the Lords of the Isles (more on them later) chose it for their power base in the Middle Ages. Islay’s other industries are agriculture and tourism.

      ‘Uisge beatha’ or Whisky is believed to have started almost 800 years ago when Agnes, daughter of a Baron of Ulster, accompanied by a physician named Macbeth, came to marry Angus Og (Lord of the Isles). Among their possessions, they brought a recipe for the Water of Life, and the rest, they say, is history…

      Ptolomy (AD 127–145) said the island was famous for horses. An old Gaelic proverb says, an Islay man would carry a saddle and bridle for 1½ miles to ride for half a mile. Certainly, the Islay surname MacEachran originates from a person who was skilled in the riding of horses or who owned many horses. The Gaelic form of the name was MacEachthighearna, try saying that after a dram or two of fine Islay Malt! This translates as son of the horse-lord. This surname is still to be found on Islay.

      (Caol Isla Distillery)

      Islay is a bird watcher’s paradise. Along the glorious 130-mile coastline, you can find seals, otters, wading birds, oystercatchers, gannets, terns, gulls, ducks, shags, cormorants, etc. Farmlands are home to lapwings, curlews, corncrakes, rare choughs, and around fifty thousand wild geese who spend their winters here.

      In addition, Buzzards, Hen Harriers, Golden Eagles, White Tailed Sea Eagles, and other birds of prey can also be seen. Dolphins and basking sharks are often spotted from the coastal areas or from a boat or ferry. Otters are shy and not easy to see, but your best chances are on Caol Ila beach and north of Bunnahabhain. Red deer, Roe Deer, Fallow Deer, and brown hare are also common.

      Weather

      In common with Scotland’s west coast, Islay’s climate benefits from the warm Gulf Stream, bringing cool winters with little frost or snow and mild summers. The driest, most pleasant weather, on average, is from April to July when rainfall is less than in other months. November to February are the wettest and windiest months, and there are crisp winter days and snowfall, especially on higher grounds.

      Getting there

      Ferry: Many visitors arrive by daily ferry from Kennacraig on the Scottish mainland (1 hour 55 mins crossing time) or once weekly from Oban. The ferry arrives at either Port Askaig or Port Ellen. Visit the CalMac website for information. www.calmac.co.uk

      Fly: You can also fly to Islay (45 mins from Glasgow) with Loganair operating

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