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Whisky distillery
Laphroaig Distillery
South-coast distillery at the head of Loch Laphroaig near Port Ellen, with tours and experiences.
Itinéraire Site web Report a problem with Laphroaig Distillery
Un mini-guide de
Islay
Nine distilleries, the Kildalton Cross and the RSPB reserves at Loch Gruinart and the Oa
Photos
1 / 10Bienvenue dans le quartier
Nine distilleries, the Kildalton Cross and the RSPB reserves at Loch Gruinart and the Oa
Islay's distilleries fall into three groups: Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg on the south coast east of Port Ellen; Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman around Loch Indaal and the Rinns; and Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Ardnahoe along the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig. Most offer tours and tastings that need booking, and times change with the seasons.
Beyond whisky, Islay has the 8th-century Kildalton Cross, still standing where it was first raised, and Finlaggan, the island centre of the Lords of the Isles. The RSPB looks after Loch Gruinart, known for its wintering geese, and the cliffs of the Oa, where golden eagles fly. Bowmore's round church and the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte tell more of the island's story.
Points forts
Par où commencer
Si vous n'avez que quelques heures, voici de bons endroits pour commencer.
Whisky distillery
Lagavulin Distillery
Distillery in the village of Lagavulin, founded by John Johnston in 1816; tours are booked through Malts.com.
Itinéraire Site web Report a problem with Lagavulin Distillery
Whisky distillery
Ardbeg Distillery
Distillery on the south coast, established in 1815, east of Lagavulin.
Whisky distillery
Bowmore Distillery
Distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal in Bowmore, the island's main village.
Itinéraire Site web Report a problem with Bowmore Distillery
Église
Kilarrow Parish Church
Round Church of Scotland parish church overlooking and serving Bowmore.
Whisky distillery
Kilchoman Distillery
Independent, family-run farm distillery in the north-west, close to Machir Bay.
Itinéraire Site web Report a problem with Kilchoman Distillery
S'orienter
Sur la carte
The map shows Islay and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Bons plans d'initiés
Avant de partir
1
Port Ellen ferry is closed
CalMac says Port Ellen closed on 2 June 2026 for rebuilding; sailings use Port Askaig, about 20.8 miles from Port Ellen, with no shuttle bus.
2
Book distillery tours
Tours and tastings at the busiest distilleries often sell out; book on each distillery's own website.
3
Do not drink and drive
Distilleries are spread across the island. Plan a driver or use the bus if you are tasting.
4
Dogs on the Oa
The RSPB asks for dogs on short leads during the ground-nesting season, 1 April to 15 August.
Les conseils de la rédaction d'Britlens
Islay and Jura
More areas to explore
Crédits photos
- Islay (area photo): Dorcas Sinclair, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Laphroaig Distillery: Bjarne Henning Kvaal…, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lagavulin Distillery: Eberhard Kaiser, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Ardbeg Distillery: Rappilio, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Bowmore Distillery: Mick Garatt, 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
- Jura: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Islay and Jura