Shops Bowmore is the shopping centre of the island though there are other nice shops around. I regularly shop in the Celtic Craft Shop and the Celtic house myself.

Islay Celtic Crafts is at the top of the main street and is an excellent source of gifts for visitors. The range of material and local crafts here is astounding. There is more about this shop on this site if you follow this link. The Celtic House is placed centrally in the village next to the village square. It sells books, cards, clothing, glassware, pottery and jewellery. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you with your purchases. One of the great things about the shop is the range of locally produced pamphlets on island subjects.

No visit to the island is complete without a visit here. The shop website is found at The Celtic House. Thanks to Colin Roy for permission to use this logo.

Other shops in the village include:

• The Tourist Information Office in the village square has many useful booklets and sells some nice little craft items.
• The Post Office; although not selling any items apart from the obvious, the notice boards have a lot of interesting material on them about events and services.
• Within the grounds of the Distillery their shop has a range of Bowmore Whisky items including clothing, coasters, pens and of course a fantastic range of Bowmore whiskies including the famous Bowmore Black at £5000 a bottle.
• The fish van is outside the local hall where the fresh fish can be bought daily.
• The Islay Shop on the Main Street has just opened, formerly L&J Campbell’s. I went in to see the new stock but had a disappointing welcome. If you are interested in the fine range of specialist whiskies I suppose it is worth dropping in here.

Islay has two fine butchers, both in Bowmore and both within a few yards of each other.

On the main Street is Gilbert MacTaggart. This shop is currently closed. Every cut of beef is from Islay and virtually every beast comes from the farm it’s been born on. They purchase animals on a regular basis from Rockside, Octomore, Lorgba croft, Balliemartin and Daill with occasional purchases from Dunlossit estate, Carrabus, Ardbeg and Blackrock. The champion lambs at the local Islay show have been purchased by them for the past 5 years and 2 years for the champion beef animal.

Just round the corner is “Billy the Butcher”. Billy is a small family butcher specialising in quality meat, Billy is a personal friend and I cannot fault the quality of his meat. This is where I go to by my Christmas turkey and new year duck. The meat is of the finest quality and his sausages have won awards – a must try while you are here, especially the sausages.

Persabus Pottery Just off the main road to Port Askaig, within a mile or so of the ferry port there is a signpost for Bunnahabhain. 100 yards up the road in a small outbuilding of the farm Persabus Pottery produces fine earthenware. It’s well worth a visit if you are looking for a unique memento of your visit to Islay. more …

Islay Dive Centre Over the centuries many boats have been wrecked around the rocky and storm battered shores of our islands. Today they make an interesting subject for divers. The Islay dive Centre specialises in dives around these fascinating relics. There are other activities on offer on their website

Distilleries Let’s face it, Islay is about whisky, we have 7 working distilleries on Islay and 1 on Jura. Of the distilleries only Bowmore and Ardbeg have regularly scheduled tours but the rest will take you round by appointment. Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Bruichladdich have websites of their own. Useful information can be found at Islay Whisky website. Bowmore and Ardbeg have regularly scheduled tours, the others will give you a tour if you phone. See the Information page for telephone numbers.

Finlaggan Finlaggan was the main residence of the Lords of the Isles during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. A visitor centre leads the visitor through this important period of our history. The ‘time team’ have had important input to out understanding of this famous site. See the Finlaggan website.

Cafes There are several Cafes around the Island where you can get a snack and a cup of tea or coffee.

• Behind the church in Port Ellen the Cyber Cafe offers good food.
• In Bowmore, the Cottage on the Main Street offers good food and great cakes.
• In Port Charlotte there is "The Croft Kitchen". This is only open seasonally from spring to autumn.
• The airport cafe is now open all day for casual visitors, some of the best coffee on the island.
• The Harbour Inn in Bowmore has a coffee lounge open all day.

The Islay Woolen Mill The Woolen Mill is a long standing family business where fine tweeds are made. The tartans for the film Braveheart were made here and the proprietor will show you round the establishment if you ask. A fascinating visit. More …

RSPB RESERVE Up on the shores of Loch Gruniard the RSPB reserve has a visitor centre and a helpful and enthusiastic staff. The wetlands there are carefully managed and there is an excellent hide where you can observe the many species of bird which live here and visit. Bring your own binoculars. Phone 850505

Islay Birding Islay’s only bird watching tour guides/safaris

Jura House and Gardens No visit to Jura is complete without a walk around these wonderful gardens and the extensive forest and beach walkways. see the Jura page.

*This is not a commercial site, I do not ask for or receive any payment for this page.

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