A weekend in Isle of Islay

The whisky island, with wild beaches and geese

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Islay is the most southerly of the Inner Hebrides, famed for the peaty whiskies produced by its many distilleries. It also has wide, empty beaches, rugged cliffs and lots of birdlife, with thousands of geese wintering on the island.

It is reached by ferry from Kennacraig, and is quiet and friendly, which suits a slow, scenic weekend of tasting and walking.

Best forWalkers, History lovers, Food lovers, Wildlife lovers

Best time to goMay to September for the beaches and walking. Late May brings the Islay whisky festival, and winter has thousands of geese.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereGlasgow: About 2 hours 30 minutes by car to Kennacraig, then a ferry of about 2 hours 20 minutes to Port Ellen.

Check prices for a weekend in Isle of Islay

Plan your weekend in Isle of Islay

Top attractions in Isle of Islay

The south coast distilleries

A cluster of world-famous distilleries near Port Ellen, many offering tours and tastings.

Bowmore

The island's main village, with a round church and a distillery on the shore.

Machir Bay

A huge sandy beach on the west coast, popular with walkers and surfers.

The Oa

A dramatic peninsula with sea cliffs, a monument and views to Ireland.

Islay Festival

A whisky and music festival held every late May, called Fèis Ìle.

Best things to do in Isle of Islay

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Whisky tasting in Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers many ways to learn about Scotch whisky, from guided tastings on the Royal Mile to specialist bars with hundreds of bottles. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Jacobite steam train

The Jacobite is a steam train that runs between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Line, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. Allow about 2 hours each way.

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Aviemore looks after the only free-ranging reindeer herd in the British Isles. Allow about 2 to 3 hours.

More things to do near Isle of Islay

Islay whisky distillery tour Isle of Islay

Best areas to stay in Isle of Islay

Port Ellen

Close to the ferry and the south coast distilleries.

Bowmore

Central, with more places to eat.

Port Charlotte

A pretty village on the west coast.

Best hotels in Isle of Islay

Prices for a double room in Isle of Islay typically fall around £130–£220 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Isle of Islay

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Isle of Islay

May to September for the beaches and walking. Late May brings the Islay whisky festival, and winter has thousands of geese.

Seasons that suit Isle of Islay well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Isle of Islay

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Isle of Islay

From Glasgow: About 2 hours 30 minutes by car to Kennacraig, then a ferry of about 2 hours 20 minutes to Port Ellen.
From Edinburgh: About 3 hours 30 minutes by car to Kennacraig, then the ferry.
From Glasgow: Flights take about 40 minutes.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Isle of Islay

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in Port Ellen.
Saturday: Start with The south coast distilleries, then Bowmore. In the afternoon, head to Machir Bay.
Sunday: Visit The Oa or Islay Festival, then head home.

Packing list for Isle of Islay

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear Beach and coast gear

Good to know

Book ferries and rooms well ahead for the festival and summer.
Distillery tours often need booking.
Plan a designated driver if you are tasting whisky.

Isle of Islay weekend FAQs

Is Islay good for a weekend?

It works from Glasgow if you are happy with a ferry crossing. A flight also makes a shorter trip possible.

Do I have to like whisky?

No. Islay also has beaches, wildlife and walks, and a distinctive island atmosphere.

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Britain's largest loch by area, within an hour of Glasgow

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Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.