Walking & whisky on Islay and Jura
An unique 5-day private guided holiday that combines exploring Islay and Jura on foot with getting to know more about the history of the islands and Islay’s malt whiskies.
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The coast of the Oa peninsula, Islay
(photo: David Fiddes)
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Introduction
Islay, once home of the MacDonald 'Lords of the Isles', is famous for its malt whiskies and birdlife as well as for its farming, fishing and shooting. Hills, moors and machair* are edged around by an infinitely varied coast, with rocks, beaches and dunes, salt marshes and cliffs. Good walking country.
Jura, nearly as large as Islay, is wild and infinitely more rugged; its distinctive landmark hills - the Paps - are visible from vantage points all over Argyll, and from places as far apart as Ben Nevis and the Irish coast. Red deer outnumber people here many times over. Jura has one whisky distillery.
*Machair is fertile ground on wind-blown shell-sand; well-drained and not acid, it can support a lovely short green turf with flowers.
The holiday in outline
Walking & history
On Islay, we'll explore the coastal cliffs and abandoned townships of the Oa peninsula, the northern coast towards Rhuvaal lighthouse and the dunes of Ardnave as well as finding ancient chapels and Celtic crosses. We'll also visit the former stronghold of the Lords of the Isles at Finlaggan and in the evenings you'll be able, if you'd like, to explore the attractive eighteenth- and nineteenth- century planned villages such as Bowmore and Port Charlotte.
Jura gives the opportunity for a big hill climb - either the ascent of Beinn an Oir, the highest of the Paps at 785 m (2576 feet), or a traverse of a high pass, but we'll also offer a much gentler alternative on the east coast of the island for those who think a big climb may be too much for them, however wide and marvellous the views. We'll take our transport across the short ferry from Port Askaig to give ourselves the freedom of Jura.
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Ardbeg distillery
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Whisky
Islay's natural resources - fertile soil, extensive peat bogs and wonderful soft peaty water - mixed with sea breezes and traditional distilling processes, produce the most easily distinguishable of all malt whiskies with many devotees worldwide.
Islay has seven malt whisky distilleries. The distilleries in the south of the island, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig, produce the most strongly flavoured, phenolic whiskies in Scotland. The distilleries to the north - Bunnahabhain, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Bruichladdich tend to be of a lighter character, indeed some specify unpeated malt and draw their water direct from springs before it has had time to pick up much peat. In spite of this, they still taste peaty!
We will have a tour at the Ardbeg distillery at the south coast. Here there are 3 different distilleries within 2 miles. The whisky tasting will be at Bruichladich Distilllery.
Accommodation
We will stay in the Port Charlotte Hotel, a small tastefully restored Victorian hotel, providing high-class accommodation, located by the seashore.
Most bedrooms enjoy lovely sea views and all are tastefully decorated and furnished with antiques. A special feature is the use of oriental rugs on wooden floors. All bedrooms are en suite.
The central theme of the restaurant is local produce, freshly prepared to order and served in elegant surroundings. You can expect beef and lamb from local farms to feature, or game from the nearby island estates. Also frequently on the menu are scallops, lobsters and prawns, fresh from the Islay fishing fleet.
The public bar has some of the finest malt whiskies in the world for you to sample.
The programme day by day
Day 1: Glasgow - Islay
Meeting in Glasgow, early afternoon. Travel to Islay by our minibus and Calmac's ferry from Kennacraig.
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Paps of Jura
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Day 2: Ardbeg distillery, Kildalton cross and Ardnave Point
We start our discovery of Islay with a visit to the ruins of Kildalton Chapel, built in the 13th century. Next to the chapel stands a 12 foot (4 m) high Celtic cross dating from the first millenium AD. Afterwards we will visit the Ardbeg distillery at the south coast of Islay for a tour at the distillery.
In the afternoon we go to Ardnave, overlooking Loch Gruinart, On our way we pass the Gruinart Flats, a haven for wading birds and migrating geese. We will walk around the coast via Ardnave Point. Pleasant going over, sandy beaches, dunes and rocky shores, with wide views towards Colonsay as well as the chance of coming across seals.
About 5 miles ( 8km) in total - mainly easy walking.
Day 3: Isle of Jura and whisky tasting
The route we take will depend on the weather, the stalking season and on how well we've been walking. Probably it's a choice between taking a coast to coast route by threading a pass between the Paps of Jura or a walk up one of lower hills north of the Paps.
That would be a maximum of 12 miles (18 km) and about 2200 feet (700 m).
In the evening we will have whisky tasting at the Bruichladdich distillery.
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Islay: Bowmore distillery
(photo: David Fiddes)
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Day 4: Finlaggan, northwest coast and Bowmore
We start the day with a visit to Finlaggan, once the home of the Lords of the Isles, who ruled over West-Scotland from the 13th to the 16th centuries, it was built on some prehistoric ‘crannogs’ (artificial islands in a loch).
Afterwards we continue our journey to Bunnahabhain (another malt distillery) from where we will explore the coast and hills northwards, passing (or perhaps taking in) the summit of Sgarbh Breac (364 m which has wonderful views across the north of the island and to Colonsay and Jura.
How far we go depends on how we feel and how the weather treats us. There are all sorts of explorations to be done, caves, beaches and ancient farms to be seen and there might be a welcoming dram waiting at Bunnahabhain!
Day 5: Islay – Inveraray – Glasgow
We take the morning ferry back to Kennacraig and travel back to Glasgow. We will stop for our lunch in Inveraray, the capital of the Campbell clan. Inveraray has one of the best assorted whisky shops of Scotland.
After lunch and a visit to the whisky shop we will continue our journey to Glasgow where we will arrive in the late afternoon.
What is included
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Description
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5 days, hotel accommodation on Islay
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Walking
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5-12 miles (8-18 km) daily, with a mix of rough going and path. Two days with longer walks and one gentler day.
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- The services of our well-qualified, well-informed and welcoming guide
- An attractive, well-thought-out programme
- Carefully selected hotel, breakfast, 3-course evening meal and picnic lunches on walking days
- Whisky tasting
- Distillery tour
- Transport by minibus and ferries, as needed, throughout your holiday, including evenings and from/to Glasgow/Glasgow airport at its beginning and end
