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- Destinations
- Europe
- United Kingdom
- Scotland
- Islay
Islay
Known as the 'Queen of the Hebrides', Islay is the southernmost
of the Inner Hebridean Islands and is world famous for its single
malt whiskies, breathtaking scenery, fascinating wildlife and
friendly locals. With a rich and fascinating history, Islay was
inhabited by early settlers who came here after the last Ice Age in
around 7,500BC as fishermen and hunters. Many tourists come to
Islay to sample its exceptional whiskies. Islay boasts a whopping
eight distilleries on the island, and is home to single malt labels
such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Caol Ila and Ardbeg, which all have
the strong peaty character considered to be characteristic of the
Islay malts, while Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich are lighter and
Bowman and Kilchoman more medium-bodied. Whiskies aside, Islay
features some notable attractions: the archaeological sites are
captivating, including the Cultoon stone circle, which dates back
to the Neolithic and early Bronze Age era; and the Kildalton High
Cross, Scotland's last unbroken ringed Celtic cross which dates
back to around the year 800. More active visitors can enjoy a round
of golf at the Machrie Hotel's links, a leisurely cycle along the
quaint island roads, world-class fly fishing in Loch Gorm for brown
trout, horse-riding on the deserted beaches, and even hill walking
to discover the island's interior. Walk along the eastern shore and
take in a beautiful sunrise where seabirds and gulls swoop above in
the crisp morning air and admire the views across to the Jura,
which, not surprisingly, boasts its own brand of world-class single
malt whisky.
Islay also offers a variety of wildlife such as grey seals,
otters, shags, red deer, peregrine, golden eagle, wildcats and
adders. Bird watching is another main tourist attraction because of
the large flocks of wild geese which visit Islay each winter
(October to May), as well as the variety of rare birds that can be
spotted there, like the corncrake and the chough.
Information & Facts
Climate
Islay experiences a much milder climate to that of mainland
Scotland due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Snow and
frosts are rare, though during the winter months, gales sweep in
off the cold North Atlantic causing travel disruptions with
frequent ferry and air link delays. The best time of year to visit
Islay is during the summer months when the temperature is warm,
mild and pleasant from May to September. The driest, most pleasant
weather is often from May to July.
Language
English is the official language, though visitors will be
astonished by the variety of regional accents.
Money
The currency is the pound (GBP), which is divided into 100
pence. ATMs are available in all towns and Visa, MasterCard and
American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards
should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign
currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels,
however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
Travellers cheques are accepted in all areas frequented by
tourists; they are best taken in Pounds Sterling to avoid
additional charges.
Time
Local time in the United Kingdom is GMT (GMT +1 from last
Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).