Islay
The island of Islay (pronounced EYE-luh) is one of the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. It's rugged, windswept and unforgettable. We just returned from a week exploring this beautiful place.
It's about 25 miles long and 20 miles wide with a 130 mile coastline. On a clear day you can see Northern Ireland. The population is about 3000 and everyone knows everyone!
A huge draw for visiting Islay is the smoky, peaty whiskies produced there. With 10 distilleries on the island, there is plenty of whisky to go around!
Historically, Islay lacked natural forests and firewood, so generations of islanders relied on peat for heating and cooking. Islay peat is primarily formed from decaying heather, moss, and seaweed. This composition gives the whisky it's highly distinctive "terroir."
Most days I was the designated driver except for our cocktail class at Bruichladdich Distillery, the maker of the Botanist gin. The distillery realized that gin takes a lot less time to make than whisky so they created the Botanist gin as a side gig and use 22 hand-foraged botanicals from Islay to create it.
Scotland has a zero tolerance for drinking and driving so during the gin class, Ron made the same cocktails, then poured them into glass bottles to take back to our hotel to consume later.
Even better is the Three Distilleries Pathway, a 3.5 mile path from the town of Port Ellen past 3 iconic Islay distilleries - Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. No need for a designated driver as you can spend the day walking, enjoying the coastline and tasting whisky without getting behind the wheel!
On our first morning we woke early and caught this beautiful sunrise on the distant hill. The days are long in May with about 16 hours of daylight. We were fortunate to have very little rain but were also reminded by many locals that the rain is welcome since "today's rain is tomorrow's whisky!"
One afternoon we walked the beach at Machir Bay before visiting Kilchoman Distillery. The beach felt a bit like the edge of the world between the waves and the endless wind. The weather does not stop the locals from getting outside to walk the dogs.
On a walk along the Mull of Oa we past numerous Highland 'coos' with their iconic shaggy coat designed to protect them from the harsh Scottish winter
Sheep heavily outnumber people on Islay by about 7 to 1 and have better views than most hotels could offer you anywhere!
Over 1,200 years old and still standing in its original position is the Kildalton Cross. It's considered one of the finest and most complete Christian crosses in Scotland.
You really don't have to like whisky to love Islay. It's a magical Scottish island whether you drink or not. It's beautiful and windy and remote without feeling isolated. The locals are friendly and wave at every car passing by. In between the tastings and tours at distilleries, we walked, explored the island and ate delicious fresh food.
