3 Days in Islay | Exploring Scotland's Stunning Whisky Island

3 Days in Islay - Scotland's Stunning Whisky Island
In April, me and Amy visited Islay, an island off the west coast of Scotland, famous for its wildlife, whisky, and stunning beaches. We spent 3 days exploring as much of Islay as we could, going bird-watching at RSPB Loch Gruinart, sampling whisky at two of it's world-famous distilleries, and visiting some of the island's most beautiful beaches, including the popular Singing Sands.
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Пікірлер: 54

  • @klaushildebrandt6821
    @klaushildebrandt68216 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this wonderful video! I love the whiskys of Islay and now I've got an impression about the island. Greetings from Hamburg/Germany!

  • @VoxGothica
    @VoxGothica5 ай бұрын

    Your video just about made me cry! I was on Islay in 2014 and have been obsessed ever since. I feel like I left a part of my soul there. The peace and quiet and the bare desolation of the late winter/early spring landscapes are just wonderful. Islay is stunning in all kinds of weather.

  • @windymiller6908
    @windymiller69089 ай бұрын

    That long straight road from Port Ellen - Bowmore sure brings back some memories.....I worked on Islay for a few months back in the 1960's, I was 17 at the time. Following a night out we got stranded in Port Ellen and decided to walk back home to our lodgings in Bowmore by the same road as you cycled. Not sure how long it took but we were certainly glad to arrive in Bowmore as dawn was beginning to break. We were too knackered to go to work that day.

  • @nivekmcneil1966
    @nivekmcneil19667 ай бұрын

    Just watched your video from here in the USA. Want to go to Islay and visit the scotch distilleries. Thank you for sharing!

  • @wanderingadventures
    @wanderingadventures Жыл бұрын

    Such a calming vlog ☺️ Shame you didn't get the weather but it looked beautiful all the same. Will be adding Islay to my list!

  • @BobGeogeo
    @BobGeogeo2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, this brings back memories.

  • @chefprov
    @chefprov9 ай бұрын

    Beautiful video ! Really captures the Magic of Islay. I love it so much, We are making a third trip this December. If you are a whisky fan, it is a true bucket list destination. Do what you must, save your pennies, get a second job, or whatever it takes,,,, just go 😍👍😎

  • @11thstalley96
    @11thstalley962 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for posting this wonderful video! At the beginning, you gave shout outs to Islay’s whisky, wildlife and stunning landscape. Let me add one more…the Ileachs are some the most hospitable folks that I’ve ever had the pleasure of interacting with. You hit two of the iconic distilleries, but when I spent three days on Islay, I was more focused on whisky, and visited five distilleries, adding Ardbeg, Bowmore, and Bruichladdich, with the latter providing my favorite tour. I noticed that the Singing Sands beach is on An Oa peninsula. On an island with some tremendous scenic views (across the strait from the Paps of Jura is probably the choice of most visitors), one of the most stunning settings is the American monument at the tip of An Oa. It’s a 10m tall granite cylindrical tower with a conical cap, reminiscent of the ancient church towers in Ireland. It was built as a memorial to the hundreds of American sailors and soldiers who lost their lives in shipwrecks of two troop ships off the coast of Islay during WW1. Because of the courageous efforts of Ileachs to save drowning men at the peril of losing their own lives, and the Ileachs who opened their homes and hearths to those who survived and gave them loving care, a special bond exists between the US and Islay, that is rekindled every year with a ceremony at the monument. The monument is about 6 miles from Port Ellen. www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/islay/americanmonument/index.html

  • @mikethesmooth
    @mikethesmooth2 ай бұрын

    My wife and I just returned from Scotland a couple days ago, and spent 4 days in Islay. One of the most beautiful places I've been to if youre into landscapes and small town vibes. What made it more magical was seeing the northern lights where we were staying (glamping spot next to Lagavulin). I'm not sure if you had a chance to eat at Balaclava, but man their lamb and steak were just perfection. Youre right about the whisky tasting too, I got carried away and bought a few bottles....not cheap but worth it to take home as they are exclusive only to Scotland (maybe just within the distillery)

  • @BarranteMotion
    @BarranteMotion Жыл бұрын

    Great video! About to make the 5 hour drive from the Highlands down to Islay and this was an awesome preview of what we’re about to enjoy for a couple of days. Thanks for sharing, safe travels!

  • @michaelgarin4176
    @michaelgarin41769 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much for this excellent video. My wife and I am going to Islay next July to celebrate my 78th birthday. We’re staying in Port Ellen at the Islay Hotel and doing a Laphroig distillery tour. We’re too old for bicycles 😉 but any other suggestions would be very much appreciated.

  • @annar.6688
    @annar.66882 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Thanks for giving us glimpses of beautiful Islay! I especially loved the colourful drone shots of the beaches 💙

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Anna! 😊

  • @LeahandBlair
    @LeahandBlair Жыл бұрын

    Nice video. I enjoyed watching..looking forward to going there.

  • @christianalm2043
    @christianalm20438 ай бұрын

    Thanks for posting !

  • @paldammen2
    @paldammen2 Жыл бұрын

    Hi ! Thank you for great videos 😀we have followed your tips and we are now on Islay, ready to bike to RSPB Loch Gruinart 👍

  • @mickfrombrisbane1733
    @mickfrombrisbane17332 жыл бұрын

    Good job James, thanks mate.

  • @nigelbedrock5044
    @nigelbedrock50442 жыл бұрын

    Nicely done James. You’re really good at this - great delivery, wonderful drone shots, and very interesting. You have just put Islay on our go to list!

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Nigel. I’d highly recommend Islay if you ever get a chance to visit.

  • @abikeandadrone2137
    @abikeandadrone21372 жыл бұрын

    great video, liked it a lot, thanks for sharing.

  • @FrancoisT
    @FrancoisT Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for very informative video, hope to visit Islay next year March

  • @andrewcrozier9272
    @andrewcrozier927211 ай бұрын

    Very nice video ...pleasant to watch thanks for sharing.

  • @Longstride
    @Longstride2 ай бұрын

    Great video! Cheers!

  • @oldhagsyndrome999
    @oldhagsyndrome999 Жыл бұрын

    thanks for this video! it allowed to feel the atmosphere of the island 🩵

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

  • @puozzoviolinmaker
    @puozzoviolinmakerАй бұрын

    Wonderful 👏👏👏

  • @deborahhobbs8941
    @deborahhobbs89413 ай бұрын

    Wow beautiful daffodil field

  • @Jamestele1
    @Jamestele1 Жыл бұрын

    Well done. I can see what my GGGG Great Grandmother, Anne Sutherland used to see. Beautiful place.

  • @M.Godfrey
    @M.Godfrey5 ай бұрын

    O Bonnie Scotland, I’ll see her again 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @samuellee1141
    @samuellee1141 Жыл бұрын

    James will be famous!

  • @ThomasRuhlandPhotography
    @ThomasRuhlandPhotography Жыл бұрын

    Hi, what a place! I am going there with a friend in October. Could you tell me what’s the name of the little cabine you stayed in at Port Charlotte? All the best. Tom (Geneva).

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    Жыл бұрын

    It was called Port Ellen Pod at Swallows Roost and it was in Port Ellen. Hope you have an amazing time! 😊

  • @ThomasRuhlandPhotography

    @ThomasRuhlandPhotography

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JamesBTravel thanks 🙏

  • @os-channel
    @os-channel Жыл бұрын

    Great job, James, one question please, where did you hire the ebikes?

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Oliver. We hired them from Islay E-Wheels in Port Ellen.

  • @os-channel

    @os-channel

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JamesBTravel Great, James, end of may I will be there and I want to hire bikes too.

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    Жыл бұрын

    Great, hope you have a great time!

  • @shreypunyani
    @shreypunyani Жыл бұрын

    You were staying in a cabin at Port Ellen. Could you please tell me the name of this place you were staying in? We're planning a trip Islay and would love to stay here.

  • @shreypunyani

    @shreypunyani

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey just checked out the comments. It's Port Ellen Pods at Swallow Roost. Thanks. 🙈

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    Жыл бұрын

    Here’s the link if that’s helpful - abnb.me/aRtPL23Hjzb

  • @sabrinabenoit3454
    @sabrinabenoit34542 жыл бұрын

    Is it possible to wild camp on Islay ? I’ve seen a message on the ferry website saying no wild camping Thank you 😊 for your answer

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    2 жыл бұрын

    You are allowed to wild camp (almost) anywhere in Scotland as long as you abide by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. I know of people who have wild camped on Islay. As long as you follow the rules there shouldn’t be any problems.

  • @sabrinabenoit3454

    @sabrinabenoit3454

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@JamesBTravel thank you so much My plan at the moment is walking the kintyre and Arran coastal way visiting Springbank kilkerran Arran and lagg distileries 😂 Your video make me want to go to islay to visit the isle too

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    2 жыл бұрын

    That sounds like a great plan! Arran whisky is one of my favourites!

  • @barblupas6253

    @barblupas6253

    Жыл бұрын

    Wild camping is allowed as long as you respect your surroundings

  • @marymorris5484
    @marymorris5484 Жыл бұрын

    Am loving your video, while estranged in Oz. Thanks for posting it. Did you know there is a tradition in parts of the UK that while gorse is in flowering, so is kissing...hey ho.

  • @Mongol-Bunchuck
    @Mongol-Bunchuck Жыл бұрын

    Прошу прощения, что вмешиваюсь. Но я слышал, что где-то у берегов острова на мели лежат останки немецкой субмарины U-570 ? Вы не видели их ?

  • @GoatPooPlays

    @GoatPooPlays

    Жыл бұрын

    Well there's a u_boat of the cost

  • @johnferguson7432
    @johnferguson7432 Жыл бұрын

    Are you free to and camp in one of these scottish islands I'm from Australia

  • @JamesBTravel

    @JamesBTravel

    Жыл бұрын

    Wild camping is legal in most of Scotland as long as it’s on unenclosed areas and not on private property. I’d recommend checking out the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for more info. www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/camping

  • @stephennicolay1940
    @stephennicolay1940 Жыл бұрын

    If you found anyone speaking Irish gaelic, I would be very impressed.

  • @gysindominic1991
    @gysindominic1991 Жыл бұрын

    very great