Pronounced ‘Brook-Laddie’ (being the Gaelic for ‘the brae (hillside) by the shore’) the distillery lies on the shore of Loch Indaal opposite the town of Bowmore on the Hebredean Isle of Islay, on Scotland’s west coast. Much of the original Victorian equipment have been kept and renovated, ageing and bottling is done on site and chill-filtration or artificial colouring is banished. Focus is on three types: the traditional unpeated bottlings from selected casks out of the 7000 acquired at the takeover (some with different wood finishes); the 40ppm Port Charlotte; and the monstrous 82ppm Octomore (the last two will be released in a couple of years).

A high quality tour with well informed guides that brings you back to basic and traditions dating from 1881.  Comprehensive and informative. The beautiful white-washed distillery buildings and the setting is excellent. The mix of whisky tradition and the enthusiasm of the dedicated team is infectious. Nice old ecquipment, nostalgia and stillroom.
Cask Visits. Jim McEwan's Masterclass. Whisky Academy. Chance to fill your own bottle in the filling store.

We are please to report that Logan Air flights from Glasgow International to Islay Airport are now available  at £68.95 return.  This 'yield management' of fares is a welcome  development for  people who book in advance and avoid the  busy periods either side of a week end. The next available fare is about  £89 return, with  the maximum return fare from the Glasgow  still a mind-numbing £155
These welcome developments will considerable ease the cost of travel to and from Islay, as well as make alternative travel options available, particularly using low cost Ryanair's European network to London Stanstead, Milan Bergamo, Paris Beauvais, Stockholm Skavsta, Bournemouth,  Gerona, Gothenburg, Oslo, Dublin, Barcelona,  Brussels, and  Frankfurt.

The Islay Airport has now been expanded, losing a little of its charm one  could say, to accommodate security  procedures.

Plane
British Airways run the 30 minute flight from Glasgow, using a Shorts 30 seat aircraft.
Monday to Friday they leave early morning and late afternoon, on a Saturday early morning and no flights on a Sunday.
Islay Airport: Tel/Fax +44(0)1496 302022 British Airways Reservations: Tel +44(0)1418871111
The winter timetable can change, so please check. Weekend services differ. Luggage space can be limited at weekends Luggage cannot be checked in for onward flights morning connecting flights from London are tight - but doable. Please Click here to check the exact times with British Airways directly.

Aircraft and Helicopter Charter
Highland Airways (Inverness) Tel: 01667 462664 info@highlandairways.co.uk

Air Charter Scotland Ltd (Edinburgh) Tel: 01355 590 300 info@aircharterscotland.com

Woodgate Exec. Air Charter (Belfast) Tel: 01849 422 478
Exec. Air (Glasgow) Tel: 0141 887 8348
Paul Keegan (Oban) Tel: 01631 720215

Helicopter
Arran Heli-Tours operate a scenic tour of  Islay/Jura for 2/3 people as well as a  collection service from Glasgow. What a great way to see the sensational coastline of these islands!
phone +44 1770 860 526
fax +44 1770860526
email: neil@arranhelitours.fsnet.co.uk

Car Ferry service - The journey from Glasgow to the ferry terminal of Kennacraig takes approximately 3 hours.  The ferry journey takes 2 and a 1/2 hours, there are in Summer, three sailings per day – except Sunday and Wednesday.

 
Bus Services - Citilink Glasgow to Islay Bus Service  http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables.htm select Glasgow/Cambeltown route, getting off at Kennacriag Ferry terminal, leaving Glasgow at 9.00am and arriving  in time for the ferry crossing at 1.00pm

This Roll on Roll Off service is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, and must be booked in advance if bringing a car to Islay. There are 2 ports on Islay: Port Ellen & Port Askaig.

Car Ferry Reservations
Tel: +44 (0)8705 650000 Fax: +44 (0)1475 635235  By E-mail
Click here to check the exact times with Caledonian MacBrayne
Click here for directions on how to get from Glasgow to Islay ferry terminal.
Click here for a basic ferry timetable.
Kevin Byrne's Lorn Ferry Service  http://www.colonsay.org.uk/boat/4ferry.html 01951 200320 operates a summer only, foot passenger service between Loch Tartbert, Jura; Port Askaig, Islay; Scalasaig, Colonsay; and Uisken, Mull.  This private service, usuing the remoter  landing places, allows the fitter visitor  to see some  splendid, otherwise inaccessible sights.  It also allows for a conveniant link between Islay, Colonsay directly to Mull - with out having to go via the longer and more expensive Oban route.

Sailing is The best way to arrive on Islay. The most beautiful, dramatic, wild scenery imaginable. With exceptional clarity and purity of light, magnificent views are all around.  Challenging waters include the largest whirlpool in the northern hemisphere - the Corryvrechan.
Yacht charter can be organised by Crinan Boat Yard, click  http://www.crinanboatyard.co.uk
Mike Murray of Gemini Boat Cruises, based on the mainland at picturesque Crinan, opposite the top end of Jura  operates a sea taxi service to Jura, as well as sight seeing. http://www.gemini-crinan.co.uk/ 

Coach - Citilink Glasgow to Islay Bus Service  http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables.htm select Glasgow/Cambeltown route, getting off at Kennacriag Ferry terminal, leaving Glasgow at 9.00am and arriving  in time for the ferry crossing at 1.00pm

Restaurants

• An Tigh Seinse, Portnahaven (0)1496 860224

  AKA “Maureen’s”, this old seafront  inn (actually a terraced house) was in a terrible state of repair and had about as much charm as  a  dentist’s waiting room. However, a recent makeover by the new proprietor, the versatile Mr Carl Reavey, has transformed this tiny bar in to a wonderful, if incredibly snug, friendly bar.  Islay Ales, a good selection of single malts are available,  and a  simple, but very well done, all day menu is served until 8pm. Managed by  the effervescent Janey and Laura, this is now an essential visit on any Islay tour. How lucky we are on The Rhinns to have the three best places to eat and drink on the Island!

• Port Charlotte Hotel, Port Charlotte +44 (0)1496 850360 info@portcharlottehotel.co.uk

  Graham and Isobel Allison own this first class small hotel, not three miles from the Distillery, right on Loch Indaal itself. Well thought out and stylishly furnished rooms, an excellent restaurant, (specialities are simply prepared lamb, beef and seafood - what more do you want?) good wine list, and a really first class bar – selling exclusively Islay single malts. www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk

• Croft Kitchen, Port Charlotte +44 (0)1496 850 230
  A casual, unostentatious bistro open all day and early evening. The emphasis on simple cooking - one cannot go far wrong with the top quality, Islay produced ingredients that are used here - scallops, lobster, lamb and beef. The sizzling steak, (local black Aberdeen Angus) is a joy. A rudimentary wine list. Open from 10am for breakfast menu, lunch menu from 12 – 5.30pm and supplementary dinner menu from 5.30 – 7.30

• Bridgend Hotel, Bridgend (0) 1496 810 212

  Under new management and refurbished.

Also further a field Port Askaig Hotel, Ballygrant Inn, Harbour Inn

Tourist Office
Islay has less than a 1000 beds available for visitors; it is therefore essential to book well in advance for the best places in the high seasons of Summer Christmas and Easter, as well as the Islay festival (Feis Ile) during the last week of May. Islay Tourist Office telephone number is +44 (0) 1496 810254.

Hotels

• Bowmore House - Ian and Mavis Munro own this fabulous hotel.  It is located in Bowmore on Shore Street.

• Port Charlotte Hotel - Graham and Isobel Allison own this first class small hotel,  not three miles from the Distillery, right on Loch Indaal itself. Well thought out and stylishly furnished rooms, an excellent restaurant, (specialities are simply prepared lamb, beef and seafood - what more do you want?) good wine list, and a well stocked and welcoming bar.  Click here for Website with the main agency site being here

• Loch Indaal Hotel - Ian MacLellan, Port Charlotte +44 (0)1496 850 202. A characterful (literally) functional pub with two bars, with some rooms above.  A popular local hangout.  Great live music Saturday nights - and some times during the week.  The Byre, a small well equipped self contained flat behind the hotel, is ideal for a couple.  Anne does a good cooked breakfast too.

• Bridgend Hotel - Under new management and refurbished. Fresh and vibrant new bar also popular with the locals. Bridgend (0)1496 810 212 

• for pricing, accommodation and availability online please click here or visit the Bridgend Website Here

Cottages

• James Brown's Octomore Farm Cottages - Well located and recently converted farm houses, close to Port Charlotte. A sensational view from high on the hill over looking the village of Port Charlotte beneath, across Loch Indaal, and away to Northern Ireland. This is a a working farm that included the site of the defunct Octomore Distillery.  The engaging James Brown  - as well as having these holiday lets - is farmer, piper, policeman, lighthouse keeper...and water fairy. www.octomore.co.uk for details.

• Easter Ellister, Portnahaven, Islay - This extended and imaginatively designed house sleeps up to ten people in comfort.  Situated on the hill between Port Charlotte and Portnahaven, this recently refurbished house has been done up rather well with large rooms and kitchen, with far reaching views both east, south and west.  Lucy's ma is a breeder of rare Arctic ducks and rare breeds of poultry - so plenty of bird watching available too. www.easterellister.co.uk  for details or telephone   Miss Lucy Dawson 01555 892 785

• Ardtall Cottages - There are three wonderfully remote cottages on the wooded south eastern coast of the island, on the entrance to the Sound of Islay. Looking towards Jura, the single track road ends here at Ardtalla farmhouse; this is a beautifully remote spot it does not even have electricity. Equipped with a Rayburn stove an open fire place, and plenty of candles what more do you need in such a tremendously wild and tranquil location!  The other two cottages do have electricity and all the mod cons. www.ardtallacottages.co.uk for details.

• The Old Schoolroom - Former victorian schoolmasters house and converted schoolroom - renovated, peat fire, under floor heating v. comfy, spacious light and airy, central location sleeps four, private garden and barbie) www.moinachoire-islay.co.uk  - Available from Mid May onwards 01496 810242 Meri Ferguson

• Bun-an-uilt, Gruinart, Isle of Islay, Argyll, PA44 7PW, United Kingdom

• The Hawthorn Cottage, Keills. One of Islay's newest holiday accomodations located in one of the island's oldest and most historic communities. http://www.thehawthorncottage.co.uk/ 

Bed and Breakfast

• The Bruichladdich Academy - has limited B&B accommodation on offer please email Ella for Details

• Octofad Farm, Port Charlotte, Islay - Situated on the road between Port Charlotte and Portnahaven, Octofad Farm enjoys stunning views of Lochindaal. Contact Cathy Wood: Tel/Fax 01496 850594 E-mail coultorsay@aol.com. Octofad Farm, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, PA48 7UE or visit www.octofadfarm.com

• The Monachs is a Scottish Tourist Board 5-star guesthouse and is situated south of Port Charlotte. Contact +44 (0) 1496 850049 or by e-mail on info@islayguesthouse.co.uk, http://www.islayguesthouse.co.uk