Islay Travel Guide
This Islay travel guide, Islay Distilled, covers not only distillery visits but also Islay’s other attractions, as well as where to stay and where to eat.
Islay Distilled is my own travel guide to the unique Scottish island of Islay, home to some of the biggest names in the whisky world, including Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin. It describes distillery visits to all of the island’s main distilleries.
Islay Travel Guide
This isn’t just a guide to the distilleries, though, as Islay has much else to offer, including archaeological sites, ancient churches, Celtic crosses, wonderful wildlife, museums, castles, beaches, lighthouses, and fantastic food… best washed down with a wee dram (or two).
Visiting Islay
I’ve visited Islay many times and it has a special place in my heart. It combines one of my favourite countries in the world, Scotland, with one of my favourite spirits: peaty whiskies. Not only that, it’s a very distinctive corner of Scotland, a place like no other, and those peaty whiskies are among the best in the world.
About the Author (Me!)
Before I also started writing about spirits, I was an award-winning travel writer. I’ve had work published in places like The Times in London, The Washington Post, and other newspapers and magazines worldwide.
I’m an experienced guidebook writer too, and have written travel guides for publishers including National Geographic, DK, Fodor’s, Michelin, the AA, AAA, Insight Guides, and many more.
Travel and Distilleries
I began this website, Travel Distilled, to combine my love of travel and distilled spirits. So, I thought, why not do the same in a book and focus on the remarkable place that is Islay, and its equally remarkable distilleries? Hence this Islay travel guide, Islay Distilled, now available for the Kindle on Amazon worldwide.
Where to Stay on Islay
Like any good guidebook should, this Islay travel guide includes recommendations of where to stay. These range from 5-star golf resorts to inexpensive guesthouses and B&Bs. I list dozens of options, and for the whisky lovers I describe how close they are to the nearest distilleries, and whether they have good whisky selections in their bars. Want to stay in a distillery? This book tells you which ones have accommodation.
Where to Eat on Islay
Scotland has some of the best and freshest local produce that you’ll find anywhere in the world. Islay is no exception, especially for seafood from its own waters. My Islay travel guide will definitely steer you in the right direction when it comes to food, another passion of mine!
From simple fish and chips through to gourmet dinners, my dozens of restaurant recommendations cover them all. Local salmon, scallops, lobsters, venison, and beef – you can really indulge yourself on Islay. And naturally I take a close look at their whisky and cocktail menus. I also explain which distilleries you can dine in, as well.
Jura Travel Guide
This guide also includes Jura, Islay’s much smaller neighbour. It covers distilleries, of course, plus food and drink (not that there’s a lot to choose from), and tells you how to plan your trip to Jura from Islay.
Getting to Islay
The travel guide also describes the logistics of getting to Islay, how to get around Islay, and how to book whisky tours if you don’t want to organise it all yourself. In short, it’s the complete Islay travel guide, if I say so myself.
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