Hotels in Islay

The Isle of Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland and lies in Argyll and Bute. The Isle of Jura, Kintyre peninsula and Northern Ireland are Islay's neighbours. Islay is pronounced as Eye-la. The earliest known reference to the Isle of Islay comes in Adomnan's, Vita Columbae, a biography of the Irish Saint, Columba or Colum Cille in about 720 AD. St Columba visited the Isle of Islay on his way north, prior to founding the famous monastery on the island of Iona, off the south-west tip of the Isle of Mull.

Islay has a very long and rich human history. Evidence has been found to prove that the Isle of Islay was inhabited by very early settlers who came to Islay in Mesolothic times after the last Ice Age in around 7500BC as fishermen and hunters. In later Neolithic and early Bronze Age times many standing and carved stones were raised. The Cultoon stone circle dates back to this time. The Isle of Islay was once the main seat of power in the west of Scotland and became known as the home of the Lords of the Isles. The remains of their settlements are still visible at Finlaggan which is a very important archaeological site on the Isle of Islay. Remains of Islay’s religious history and carved stones are visible at several locations on the Isle of Islay. The Kildalton High Cross is the last unbroken ringed Celtic cross existing in Scotland, dates to around 800AD and a fine example of this early history. Other high crosses can be found at Kilnave and Kilchoman, and carved grave slabs can be seen at Kilchoman, Kilnaughton, Keills, Bridgend, Finlaggan and Nereabolls.Islay’s climate benefits from the warm Gulf Stream, bringing mild winters with little frost or snow and summers that are not too hot. The driest, most pleasant weather is often from May to July, when the long daylight hours are most enjoyable. Several annual festivals on the island attract many visitors, especially the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, which is held annually in May and brings many people to the island. Then, all available beds are often booked a long time in advance. Other festivals are the Islay Jazz Festival in September and the Cantilena Chamber Music Festival at Easter and in the summertime.

There are many things to see and do besides visiting the distilleries and enjoying the scenery and wildlife. Golf at the Machrie Hotel's links, cycling, fishing, horseriding and hillwalking are only a few of many possible activities on Islay. Also, there are several remarkable hand craft businesses on Islay. The Persabus Pottery, Islay Woollen Mill and Islay Quilters should be on every visitor’s itinerary. Some of these handcraft businesses can be found in Islay House Square, Islay Ales is one of them, and is Islay's only Brewery. Islay offers many wonderful and quiet sandy beaches all around the island, some more suitable for swimming than others. Most beaches on the shores of Loch Indaal and Laggan Bay are safe for swimming, but it's always best to check the tides and weather before taking off into the sea. The Atlantic west coast of Islay is particularly beautiful because of stunning bays at Machir, Saligo and Sanaigmore. Saligo Bay is a must to enjoy one of the most impressive sunsets in Scotland. Some even say that Saligo Bay offers the most beautiful light in Scotland. Interesting and beautiful places like historic Port Charlotte, Bowmore with its Round Church, Port Ellen and Portnahaven will make your stay complete. Also not to be missed is the Museum of Islay Life where the visitor gets a good impression of Island life in earlier and historic times.