Islay and Jura - 5 day tour

Day 2 - Exploring the Isle of Islay

Enjoy a tasty breakfast before boarding the coach for today’s tour of Islay. Our first visit is to nearby Loch Finlaggan. This was the headquarters of the Lord of the Isles, descendants of the Clan Donald, who had liberated Islay from Viking rule. Their power grew until they controlled the Western Highlands and Islands. There is a visitor centre that tells the fascinating story of this powerful clan.

Islay has the nickname of "Whisky Island" due to the number of working distilleries here. So next, we move on to visit Bowmore Distillery, which was established in 1779, making it the oldest on the island. We’ll join an expert guide for a tour to discover how whisky is produced here using traditional methods. Later there is a wee taste of the end product as part of a tutored tasting.

Our lunch stop is in the charming village of Port Charlotte, where there are a variety of restaurants offering food for purchase. After free time to relax, we’ll make a visit to the fascinating Museum of Islay Life which tells the story of life on the island including the once-popular trade in illicit whisky distilling.

Our last visit is to the RSPB Nature Reserve at Loch Gruinart, where a ranger will provide an introduction to the varied birdlife that call here while migrating. The mudflats and fields provide a rich source of food for the geese that arrive here from Greenland. It’s thought some 110 species of bird come to Islay to breed including birds of prey and chough, a rare type of crow.   

Day 3 - Free time or optional tour to Colonsay

You can choose to relax in Port Askaig today or join the optional excursion to the remote and tranquil island of Colonsay. The ferry departs from Port Askaig and will take 75 minutes to reach Scalasaig, the main settlement on the island.

With a population of around 100 residents, this sparsely populated island is a haven for birdlife (around150 species can be seen here). On arrival, we’ll head for Colonsay House, which dates from 1772 and was the home of Lord Strathcona, who founded the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The focus of our visit will be the beautiful gardens and woods which are full of colourful rhododendrons, giant palms and exotic shrubs.

Later we will tour through the island to visit magnificent Kiloran Bay, which is said to be the finest in the Hebrides. The mile-long sands are washed by Atlantic breakers and are backed by grass-covered dunes. It makes a breathtaking sight.

After some free time, we head to the ferry for our return sailing to Port Askaig. After time to relax, dinner will be served in our hotel.

Day 4 - Excursion to the Isle of Jura

Today we explore the neighbouring island of Jura, which is a mere 5-minute sailing away. As we disembark from the ferry, you’ll discover that Jura is a world away from Islay, as it’s considered to be the wildest of Britain’s inhabited islands.

The island is famous for the red deer population which outnumber human residents 33:1, they are so ubiquitous that the Vikings called the island “Deer Island”, from which Jura is derived. You might even spot wild goats too. They like nothing better than grazing on the seaweed that can be found by the shore.

The three peaks that dominate the island are known as the “Paps of Jura”. The tallest is Beinn an Oir, the Mountain of Gold. In their shadow sits the delightful village of Craighouse, the island’s main community.  

After a scenic island tour, we’ll spend some free time here. As well as a shop and tearoom, this is the location of the famous Jura whisky distillery.

Later, we catch the ferry back to Islay and reach our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 5 - Isle of Islay - Inveraray - Glasgow/Edinburgh

After breakfast, it’s time to bid goodbye to Islay. We board the ferry at Port Ellen for our crossing to Kennacraig on Kintyre. The picturesque journey will take us along the banks of Loch Fyne to Inveraray, where we will make a stop.

This photogenic town is an excellent example of 18th Century architecture, having been built by the third Duke of Argyll. We’ll catch a glimpse of his magnificent castle, the seat of the Clan Campbell, as we leave the town.

Our journey continues through Glen Kinglas then through the dramatic “Rest and be Thankful” pass to reach Loch Long and the attractive village of Arrochar. Soon we’ll reach Loch Lomond where there are lovely views over the “bonnie, bonnie banks” to the towering peak of Ben Lomond.

The last part of our journey brings us to central Glasgow then onwards to Edinburgh.