Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Islay (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Dunyvaig Castle, Ruvaal Lighthouse, and Kilchoman. Also, be sure to include Beinn Bheigeir in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Islay (Scotland).
Table of Contents
Dunyvaig Castle
Castle in the United Kingdom. Dunyvaig Castle, is located on the south side of Islay, in Argyll, Scotland, on the shore of Lagavulin Bay, 4 kilometres from Port Ellen. The castle was once a naval base of the Lord of the Isles, chiefs of Clan Donald. It was held by the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.[1]
Ruvaal Lighthouse
Lighthouse in Scotland. The Ruvaal, Rhuvaal, or Rubh'a' Mhàil Lighthouse is a listed 19th century lighthouse, located at the north-eastern end of the island of Islay, in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. The active lighthouse marks the northern approaches to the Sound of Islay a narrow channel separating Islay from the adjacent island of Jura, and is one of the seven lighthouses operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board, which act as maritime aids to navigation on and around Islay.[2]
Kilchoman
Human settlement in Islay, Scotland. Kilchoman is a small settlement and large parish on the Scottish island of Islay, within the unitary council of Argyll and Bute.[3]
Address: Rockside Farm, Islay
Beinn Bheigeir
Hill in Scotland. Beinn Bheigeir is a hill on the island of Islay in Scotland, UK. At 491 m, it is the highest of the seven 'Marilyn' hills on Islay, and the highest point on the island.
It is in the south east of Islay in the Ardtalla Estate. One possible approach is from Ardtalla: Start by following the path north towards Proaig, then turn west towards Beinn Bheigier. Once some height is gained turn northwest to walk around the hill towards Bealach Corrach. Walk west towards the bealach, then steeply climb up to reach the summit.
A trig point marks the summit. On a clear day views include the island of Jura with the Paps of Jura, Kintyre, the Isle of Arran and most of Islay.[4]
Loch Gorm Castle
Loch Gorm Castle is a ruined castle located on Eilean Mòr on Loch Gorm, Islay, Scotland. It was once a stronghold of Clan Macdonald.
The castle was square, with a round bastion at each corner. The ruins, however, are heavily overgrown, and reduced to a low level, such that from the shoreline the island looks featureless.
In 1578, the castle was occupied temporarily by Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean of Duart, as part of his campaign to recover/seize the Rinns of Islay. He was ejected by the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg, with the assistance of the Colin Campbell, 6th Earl of Argyll. Ruinous from 1586, royal forces led by Andrew Stuart, 3rd Lord Ochiltree demolished the castle in 1608. Repaired afterwards, Ranald MacDonald of Smerby was in charge of the garrison of troops within Loch Gorm Castle and surrendered the castle to Sir John Campbell of Cawdor on 28 January 1615. Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg retook the island in April 1615 and left a garrison upon Eilean Mór. A private garrison was maintained upon Eilean Mór between 1639 and 1640.[5]
Kildalton Castle
Kildalton Castle is a ruined Victorian country house near Port Ellen on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Argyll, Scotland.
It was built in ashlar in 1870 to a rambling plan in the Scots baronial style. Although roofs have fallen in the walls are sound and consist of two storey accommodation wings dominated by a four storey keep and a connected five storey tower. It stands in a 2000-acre moorland estate.[6]
Kilchoman Distillery
Distillery in Scotland. The Kilchoman Distillery is a distillery that produces single malt Scotch whisky on Islay, an island of the Inner Hebrides. Kilchoman Distillery is in the northwest of the island, close to Machir Bay. Kilchoman was founded by Anthony Wills and remains an independent, family run distillery. It is the smallest on the island but since obtaining Rockside Farm in 2015, is in the process of expanding.[7]
Address: Rockside Farm, PA49 7UT Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich Distillery
Bruichladdich Distillery is a distillery on the Rhinns of the isle of Islay in Scotland. The distillery produces mainly single malt Scotch whisky, but has also offered artisanal gin. It is owned by Rémy Cointreau and is one of nine working distilleries on the island.
The name Bruichladdich is an anglicisation of Bruthach a' Chladaich, Scottish Gaelic for Brae of the Shore.[8]
Address: Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland, Islay
Dun Nosebridge
Dun Nosebridge is an Iron Age fort southeast of Bridgend, Islay, Scotland. The fort is located on the right bank of the River Laggan.
The name's origin is probably a mixture of Scottish Gaelic and Old Norse: Dun in the former language means "fort" and knaus-borg in the latter means "fort on the crag". Another possibility is the Norse hnaus-bog meaning "turf fort".[9]
Dun Guaidhre
Tourist attraction in Scotland. Dun Guaidhre, also known as Dùn Ghùaidhre, is an Iron Age fort southwest of Kilmeny, Islay, Scotland. It is protected as a scheduled monument.
Local tradition associates the fort with Godred Crovan.[10]
Port Ellen distillery
The Port Ellen distillery is located in Port Ellen on the isle of Islay, Scotland. It initially operated between 1825 and 1983 when production shut down.[11]