Things to do

Buy the local newspaper, The Ileach to check out what’s on while you are here

In the village there is an excellent swing park at Port Mhor.

Don’t forget to visit the Museum of Islay Life and the Youth Hostel which has interesting wildlife exhibitions and events.

The Post Office and wee shop in village stock all your basic needs but head to the Coop in Bowmore for your big shopping. They have an online delivery service too.

There is an excellent butcher in Bowmore. Fishmonger, Jean’s Fresh Fish delivers (check Ileach for visits to Port Charlotte) but kiosk is in Bowmore and is usually open on Fridays.

There are numerous truly great places to eat on the island. You don’t need to leave the village to eat well. The Port Charlotte hotel is exactly 100 steps from the front door. Check that number out! Here you will be delighted by top quality local ingredients cooked and served to very high standard. We are big fans.

We also love the Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen in village where their seafood platter merits a photograph every time and I challenge you to find better anywhere in the world!

The Lochindaal pub is legendary and Port Mhor is a good filling station for kids and fast food.

All over the island you will eat well. We really rate the Gallery, coffee and cakes at Sanaigmore. Look out for the few signs to The Outback Café. Finding it is worth the adventure.

Three of the distilleries do great food. Ardbeg, Ardnahoe and Kilchoman. The swimming pool and Peatzeria are a popular combo for a rainy day.

Highlight of your holiday might be a trip to Corryvreckan on Islay Sea Adventures.

Golfers will be in paradise playing the challenging and world famous course, The Machrie.

Birdwatchers descend 12 months a year to the island to catch a glimpse of corncrakes or be amazed at the huge population of geese that overwinter.

Hit anyone of the beautiful beaches for a glorious walk. Go for a sea swim, paddleboard or kayak. Just be careful of the tides and obey all signs.

port charlotte

Port charlotte

Port Charlotte (Gaelic Port Sgioba) is a village on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. It was founded in 1828. Port Charlotte was named after Lord Frederick Campbell's wife, and it was set up mainly to provide housing facilities for the Lochindaal Distillery work force. Parts of the former distillery buildings are now in use as Youth Hostel and Wildlife Centre. The remaining warehouses are currently used by Bruichladdich distillery, who announced plans to reopen Port Charlotte Distillery in March 2007. The village is located on the shores of Loch Indaal and is very picturesque with its white painted houses. It is home to the Museum of Islay Life which is located in a former Church building.
(Description. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia)

islay

Islay, known as "The Queen of the Hebrides" (Banrìgh nan Eilean), is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides. It lies in Argyll just west of Jura and around 25 miles (40 km) north of the Irish coast and Rathlin Island, which can be seen on a clear day. In Gaelic, a native of Islay is called an Ìleach: Scottish Gaelic is spoken by about a third of the population. The island's capital is Bowmore where the distinctive round Kilarrow Parish Church and a distillery are located. Port Ellen is the next largest settlement and main port. Islay is the fifth largest Scottish island and the sixth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has just over three thousand inhabitants. It has a total area of almost 620 square kilometres (239 sq mi). Its main industries are malt whisky distilling, and tourism largely based on whisky and birdwatching.

The island is home to many bird species and is a popular destination throughout the year with birdwatchers, especially in autumn and winter to see the wintering population of Greenland white-fronted and barnacle geese. Resident birds include Red-billed Chough, Hen Harrier, Corncrake, White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Oystercatcher, Cormorant and many wading birds. The climate on Islay is often more clement than the Scottish mainland owing to the Gulf Stream.

(Description. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia)

whisky

The island is characterised by whiskies with a peaty smokey aroma, such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. In total, there are nine active distilleries on this island which measures only 25 by 15 miles. Islay is a centre of "whisky tourism", and hosts a "Festival of Malt and Music" known as Fèis Ìle each year on the last week of May, with events and tastings celebrating the cultural heritage of the island.