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Islay and Jura
Whisky distilleries, early Christian crosses and the Paps of Jura
Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, about 620 square kilometres with a population of 3,180 according to Wikipedia. It is best known for its whisky: distilleries line the south coast near Port Ellen and the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig, and Bowmore sits on Loch Indaal. The island also has the RSPB reserves at Loch Gruinart and the Oa and the 8th-century Kildalton Cross.
Jura lies across the narrow Sound of Islay, a 10-minute ferry ride from Port Askaig. It is larger than many expect, about 367 square kilometres, but the 2022 census recorded only 258 people, most in Craighouse. The three Paps of Jura rise to 785 m, and George Orwell finished Nineteen Eighty-Four at Barnhill in the north.
- Kennacraig to Port AskaigFrom 1 hour 55 minutesCalMac; Port Ellen is closed for rebuilding from June 2026 until 2029
- Port Askaig to Feolin (Jura)10 minutesCar ferry run for Argyll and Bute Council
- PopulationAbout 3,180 on IslayWikipedia; Jura had 258 residents in the 2022 census
- Höchster PunktBeinn an Òir, 785 mThe highest of the Paps of Jura, according to Wikipedia
Gegenden
2 places to begin
Each area has its own mini guide with 23 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay across the city.
Sehenswürdigkeiten
Highlights across Islay and Jura
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Laphroaig Distillery
South-coast distillery at the head of Loch Laphroaig near Port Ellen, with tours and experiences.
Jura Distillery
The island's distillery in Craighouse, with guided tours.
Lagavulin Distillery
Distillery in the village of Lagavulin, founded by John Johnston in 1816; tours are booked through Malts.com.
Craighouse
Jura's largest settlement, home to the island's distillery and hotel.
Ardbeg Distillery
Distillery on the south coast, established in 1815, east of Lagavulin.
Paps of Jura
Three hills on the west of Jura; the highest, Beinn an Òir, reaches 785 m.
Bowmore Distillery
Distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal in Bowmore, the island's main village.
Gulf of Corryvreckan
Narrow strait between Jura and Scarba; the Gaelic name means "cauldron of the speckled seas".
Fotos
1 / 12With kids in Islay and Jura
Animal attractions, railways, science centres, beaches and caves from our Islay and Jura guide, grouped by type. We hold no age ratings or child prices: check each place’s own site for age limits, height rules and family tickets.
Beaches and swimming
Machir BayBeach, Islay
Practical help: travelling with children and where to stay in Islay and Jura.
Anreise
Arriving in Islay and Jura
CalMac ferries sail from Kennacraig on Kintyre. Port Ellen is closed for rebuilding from 2 June 2026 and is expected to reopen in 2029, so all Islay sailings use Port Askaig for now. Jura is reached by the short council ferry from Port Askaig.
Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig
CalMac lists Kennacraig to Port Askaig from 1 hour 55 minutes and strongly recommends vehicle reservations. While Port Ellen is closed, Port Askaig is about 20.8 miles from Port Ellen and there is no shuttle bus between the ports.
Ferry from Port Askaig to Jura
A small car ferry, run by ASP Ship Management for Argyll and Bute Council, crosses from Port Askaig to Feolin on Jura in about 10 minutes.
Fly to Islay
Highlands and Islands Airports says Islay Airport has daily flights to and from Glasgow, Colonsay and Oban.
Bus or car to Kennacraig
CalMac says the bus from Glasgow to Kennacraig takes 3 hours 30 minutes; by car it is roughly 100 miles and around 2 hours 30 minutes, past Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne.
Journey times are CalMac's own figures, checked on 3 November 2026. We do not publish timetables or fares.
Mit dem Auto
CalMac describes Islay's single-track roads winding past distilleries and coast. Remember that distillery tastings and driving do not mix.
Mit dem Bus
Islay has a bus service; CalMac advises planning outward and return journeys in advance with Traveline Scotland.
By bike
CalMac calls Islay relatively flat and good for family cycling; Jura is hillier and quieter. Bike hire is available on both islands.
Paying for local transport in Islay and Jura
ScotRail (Scotland’s trains).ScotRail runs most trains within Scotland. Its tickets page refused automated access, so check ticket types and any Scotland-only offers on its site.ScotRail tickets (opens in new tab)
Beste Reisezeit
Islay and Jura through the year
Islay draws visitors all year for its distilleries, but birdlife and opening hours change with the seasons.
The RSPB says golden eagles on the Oa are active with display flights from February into early spring.
The Museum of Islay Life opens on weekdays from April to September; the busiest time on the ferries.
Wikipedia notes Loch Gruinart as an important winter roosting site for barnacle geese, watched from the RSPB reserve.
FAQ
Gut zu wissen vor der Reise
Is the Port Ellen ferry running?
No. CalMac says Port Ellen closed on 2 June 2026 for rebuilding and is expected to reopen in 2029; all sailings from Kennacraig use Port Askaig meanwhile.
How do I get to Jura?
Take the small car ferry from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin on Jura, about 10 minutes, then drive or cycle to Craighouse.
Can I visit the distilleries?
Many Islay distilleries have visitor centres and tours, but times change by season and tours often need booking. Check each distillery's own website.
Nearby places
Guides near Islay and Jura
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Fotonachweise
- Islay and Jura (header): J M Briscoe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Islay: Dorcas Sinclair, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Jura: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Laphroaig Distillery: Bjarne Henning Kvaal…, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Jura Distillery: Rude Health, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lagavulin Distillery: Eberhard Kaiser, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Craighouse: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ardbeg Distillery: Rappilio, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Paps of Jura: Andrew Spenceley, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bowmore Distillery: Mick Garatt, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gulf of Corryvreckan: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kilarrow Parish Church: Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kilchoman Distillery: David Hallett, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Machir Bay: Mary and Angus Hogg, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bruichladdich Distillery: The Crabbit Photographer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Caol Ila Distillery: Peter Church, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bunnahabhain Distillery: Reading Tom from Reading, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- Ardnahoe Distillery: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Finlaggan: Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Islay Woollen Mill: Patrick Mackie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kildalton Cross: Tom Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dunyvaig Castle: Alasdair MacNeill, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- RSPB Loch Gruinart: Camster, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Gründlich planen
More guides for Islay and Jura
- Where to stay in Islay and JuraWelches Gebiet zu welchem Reisenden passt, mit allen von uns geprüften Unterkünften.
- Getting around Islay and JuraMit und ohne Auto, nach offiziellen Verkehrsseiten.
- When to go to Islay and JuraWetter, Tageslicht und Packliste Monat für Monat.
- Rainy-day ideas in Islay and JuraAktivitäten drinnen, nach Gebiet.
- Events in Islay and JuraFestivals, Märkte und saisonale Veranstaltungen der Veranstalter.
- Attractions in Islay and JuraSehenswürdigkeiten und Museen mit geprüften Angaben zu Eintritt und Zugang.
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