[Closed] Things to do on Islay if you don't like whisky

Drink beer. lovely stuff 👍

No help but bookmarking thread for myself.

From memory...

Go for a walk in the grounds of Islay House - we had a nice meal at the nearby Bridgend Hotel
Beaches - Machir Bay was a favourite, lots more here, https://www.islayinfo.com/atlantic.html
Museum of Islay Life - run by an ex-neighbour of mine
A walk on the Oa - take a look at the American Memorial
Wander round the metropolis of Bowmore
Portnahaven - you can join guided sea shore nature walks - we got rained off sadly
Loch Gruinart nature reserve
Quite a few of the distilleries have good cafes, I think it was Ardbeg that I liked.
When I go back I'll do a wildlife boat trip and a day trip to Jura

Keep an eye out for tourist brochures of what to do locally, lots to keep you occupied. Oh, and get used to waving at everyone you pass on the road, it's a friendly wee island.

If sunny Take the bikes, trailer and picnic on the ferry (*check timetable as not daily) to Colonsay and do the loop and visit THE beach (Kiloran) you can also machir track to beach at Croisebig

Could also do same to Jura but it is VERY linear but could nip to Craig house for beer and ice cream

Pop over to jura, for the Paps. I love Paps.

There are two RSPB reserves on Islay - The Oa and Loch Gruinart

Try to get to the top end of Jura by bite / on foot, or on a boat, to see the Correyvreckan whirlpool

Did my uni geology field mapping project on Islay, so I can confidently state that the main thing to do is get wet and then shiver in a tent. If, by chance, the sun should come out then the NE coast is fantastic. Also stromatolites, if that's your thing.

I used to live there, spent many a Sunday on the beaches, toddlers will love them.

But if you are taking a bike apart from the roads you have to look a bit harder, have just joined the forum so not used to this one yet but have some You Tube videos of the place, a quick areal tour watch out for the Big Strand (a very very long beach), and there are some very old biking videos including an excursion to the "Paps of Jura".

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Failing that working, try browsing here.

https://www.youtube.com/user/MTBLeague

Went there last summer. It was superb. Very low key and rural. We got lucky with the weather.

You can cycle anywhere safely. There is the 'Whisky Trail' from Port Ellen to Ardbeg. You can keep going on the road to Kidalton Cross and beyond.

Favourite beach for me was Sanaigmore.

Lovely walk around Porthnahaven. Look out for the seals.

Cool nature everywhere but walk out on the Oa for the best. Or around Loch Gorm.

Visit the distilleries that have cafes (Ardbeg and Kilchoman were nice).

The swimming pool is worth a visit if it's not nice weather.

Nice cafe / restaurant in Port Ellen on sea front also does take away pizzas and breakfast baps in the morning.

Just find a guide book and do the walks.

Can't wait to go back.

When I asked a few years back:

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/holiday-in-islay/

Thanks everyone! Some good advice as usual.

Oh, and get used to waving at everyone you pass on the road, it’s a friendly wee island.

We came off the ferry & everyone coming the other way is giving a little wave & i'm saying, 'do they think I'm someone else or what'? Then I twigged.
I was ready next time we went.
If you like a bit of birding you'll see Choughs at Loch Gruinart & the Oa.

Ardbeg and Kilchoman were nice

The Cullen Skink at Kilchoman was delish.
Enjoy, It's a fantastic island.

Jura, the Paps, and see otter
Maybe Red deer too.
Was a RSPB reserve there where all the greylag geese went for winter.