NB: Please note that a lot of Distilleries on the island have restricted opening hours, especially at weekends. Also, if arriving on the evening ferry (usually to Port Ellen) be aware that there are no public buses to meet that ferry and eating establishments in Port Charlotte stop serving meals at 8.30pm: therefore eating en-route in Port Ellen, Bowmore or Bridgend is advisable.
Local Attractions
Islay Info
An excellent website giving all kinds of information about the Island with updates on events
The Islay Tourist Information Office
Janice & Judith work there and they are very helpful and very friendly
Bowmore
Tel: 01496 810254
bowmore@visitscotland.com
Ardbeg Distillery
Port Ellen, Islay
Visit Website
Bowmore Distillery
Visit Website
Finlaggan
Located a few miles to the
south-west of Port Askaig. A place of great importance in Scottish
history, as the centre of the Lordship of the Isles
Visit Website
Islay Distilleries
Ardbeg, Lagavullin,
Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Kilchoman, Caol Ila,
Bunnahabhain, Jura Distilleries all have tours at various times
during the day
Visit Website
Kildalton Cross
The finest intact high cross in Scotland carved in the late 8th
century
Located north of Ardbeg off the A846
Visit Website
Laphroaig Distillery
Tthe World's
favourite Islay single malt scotch whisky
Visit Website
Museum of Islay Life
Life and work on the
island from pre-historic times to the early part of the 20th
century
Located in Port Charlotte
Visit Website
Islay Woollen Mill
A lovely woodland walk
from Bridgend to the mill; see this historic mill where the tweeds
and tartans for Braveheart and Rob Roy were made.
Islay House Community Garden
A historic
walled garden dating back to the 1700’s; pick your own fresh
organic fruit and vegetables and continue your walks around the
woodlands at Bridgend
Jura
Day or overnight visits to the
neighbouring wild island of Jura. Climb ‘The Paps’, visit the
Walled Garden of Jura or see the many thousands of deer on this
sparsely inhabited undiscovered wild island
Tel: 01496 840681
Eating out
There are a few restaurants in Port Charlotte, serving good food and all are within walking distance from the Hostel.
Port Charlotte Hotel
Full evening meals
and Bar meals daytime and evening. Fresh local produce prepared to
order and served in elegant surroundings
Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland
Visit
Website
The Croft Kitchen
A place for coffee,
scones and full meals
Located opposite the Museum of Islay Life
Lochindaal Hotel
A comfortable, warm and
friendly restaurant, offering good food which is excellent value
for money. Popular with the locals and hostel guests wanting an
evening drink
Port Mor Centre
The cafe is open from
10am-8pm serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Outdoor benches and a
stunning location overlooking Loch Indaal Bay with Ireland on the
horizon (weather permitting). Wi-fi available.
We understand better than anyone the implications of
travelling with young children. That is why we are doing all we can
to make your hostelling experience memorable for all the right
reasons.
Children and families are welcome at all our hostels, although we
have highlighted a number of hostels within our network as
being “Family Hostels” as they are particularly well-suited to
travelling with and entertaining younger children.
Family hostels not only have private rooms available, many with en-suite facilities, they also carry practical items such as travel cots, high chairs, microwaves and toys. In addition there is normally a TV and games room as well as extensive private gardens on site where the kids can let off some steam. Close to great attractions and activities, these family hostels offer a great base from which to explore the area. Our helpful staff are a great source of knowledge on places to visit and things to see and do.
Hostelling is a very friendly and relaxed way to travel and our ethos actively involves children.
Golden eagle, waders, geese, seabirds, hen harrier, dolphins, red deer, roe deer, wild goats, osprey, corncrake, peregrine, chough, seabirds, twite.
Islay Natural History Trust
Discover
Islay’s wonderfully varied wildlife and geology. Watch the antics
of the creatures in the aquarium or compare your finds against the
collections of shells and other oddities
Located just downstairs from the Youth Hostel
Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, PA48 7TX
Visit Website
Islay Birding
Daily birdwatching safaris
or longer custom expeditions
The Old Byre, Port Charlotte, Islay of Islay
Visit Website
Islay Marine Charters
Wildlife cruises
from Port Askaig to the head of Loch Tarbert on the West coast of
Jura. Wonderful views, excellent wildlife watching and a chance to
see the raised beaches and the Paps of Jura
Eresaid, Bridgend, Isle of Islay
Visit Website
Islay Stalking
An opportunity to
experience the skill of stalking wild deer. Enjoy the breathtaking
scenery and discover insets, mosses and other woodland life
Gearach Forest Lodge, The Gearach Forest, Isle of Islay
Visit Website
Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve
This reserve
has a hide and there are weekly guided nature walks - great for
spotting Golden Eagles!
Visit
Website
The Oa RSPB Reserve
Stunning coastal
scenery, open moorland, freshwater lochs, coastal grassland make
this nature reserve the perfect place to see choughs, seabirds and
the occasional golden eagle
6 Miles west of Port Ellen, Islay
Visit
Website
Famed for its open moorland and fabulous beaches Islay boasts many beautiful walks. Below are some popular walks around the island suitable for most levels.
Moderate Walks
The Mull of Oa
A fairly short walk to
Islay's most dramatic sea cliffs. Land’s End revisited!
Distance: 3 km/1.9 miles, Duration: 1hr, Height Gain: 60 metres/198
feet
View
Route
Portnahaven, Islay
At the end of the
Rhinns of Islay. A great place for seal watching as they lounge on
the rocks in the local harbour
Distance: 5km/3 miles, Duration: 2hrs
View
Route
Ardnave Point, Islay
A seaside walk on the
northern coast of Islay where the Isle of Colonsay can be seen.
Marvellous views of broad sand banks in Loch Gruinard
Distance:5 km/3 miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs
View
Route
Port Charlotte, Islay
A short walk from
the village of Port Charlotte on the edge of the Rhinns of
Islay
Distance: 4.6km/2.8 miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs
View
Route
Kintra, Islay
A fascinating walk through
remote country passing abandoned crofting townships
Distance: 6.5km/4 miles, Duration: 2 1/2hrs
View
Route
Loch Ballygrant and the Sound of
Islay
Lush woodlands walk along small lochs leading
all the way to the sound of Islay
3 hours return with a cup of tea on the lawns of the Port Askaig
hotel!
Kilchiaran and Machir Bay
Great coastal
walk with grand views high above the bay. Only the vast Atlantic
ocean between you and the Labrador coast in Canada!
Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".
Lorna and Karl, Managers
"A real oasis for birds of all kinds and those who love watching them. Seals lounging on rocks and sandbanks and the Paps of wild Jura are within sight and reach. Home to eight of Scotland's finest distilleries, it's great for biking & hiking and....there's only the open. Atlantic between Islay's West coast and Canada. You can hear it!"
