Port Charlotte, Islay - Local Information
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Dates: 23rd March - 28th October 2012
Tel: 01496 850 385
Reception opening hours are between 8.00am- 10.00am and from 5.00pm - 9.30pm. Please telephone the hostel if you expect to arrive after 9.30pm.
Please note:
The main hostel building is closed between the hours of 10am and 5.00pm due to Health and Safety, and Fire regulations. The entrance area is open to shelter/store luggage if needed during adverse weather conditions.
A lot of Distilleries on the island have restricted opening hours, especially at weekends.
If arriving on the evening ferry (usually to Port Ellen) be aware that there are no public buses to meet that ferry and that eating establishments in Port Charlotte stop serving meals at 8.30pm: therefore eating en-route on the boat, in Port Ellen, Bowmore or Bridgend is advisable.
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of our hostels.
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
Ardbeg Distillery
Port Ellen, Islay
Bowmore Distillery
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
Islay Distilleries
Ardbeg, Lagavullin, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Kilchoman, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Jura Distilleries all have tours at various times during the day
Kildalton Cross
The finest intact high cross in Scotland carved in the late 8th century
Located north of Ardbeg off the A846
Laphroaig Distillery
Tthe World's favourite Islay single malt scotch whisky
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
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
The Port Charlotte Village Stores
For essential provisions, newspapers and the local Post Office
9am - 5pm Mon to Sat
Tel: 01496 850 232
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
Tel: 01496 850 360
The Croft Kitchen
A place for coffee, scones and full meals, open until early evening. Catering for groups available. Located opposite the Museum of Islay Life.
Tel: 01496 850 230
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.
Tel: 01496 850 202
Port Mor Centre,
The Rhinns Cafe.
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).
Tel: 01496 850 4412
Families
- Family and private rooms available
- 1 high chair, 1 cot and a good selection of games for all ages
- Large garden with benches overlooking the bay.
- World-class childrens’ playground at Port Mor community centre (0.5 miles away)
- Excellent self-catering facilities
- Located next to the beach, suitable for children
- Nearby to local amenities
- Islay wildlife information centre located underneath hostel
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.
Wildlife
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
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
Tel: 01496 302 459 or 07776053658 Roger Eaton
'Get Lost'
Wildwood wisdom co-operative. Wilderness-journey-story-sustainable solutions.
(01496) 850010
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
Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve
This reserve has a hide and there are weekly guided nature walks - great for spotting Golden Eagles!
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
Walkers
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
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
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
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
Kintra, Islay
A fascinating walk through remote country passing abandoned crofting townships
Distance: 6.5km/4 miles, Duration: 2 1/2hrs
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!"