| Islay is so well known for it's world famous Malt | | | | every gate a cow will be watching you. Draff, the by |
| Whisky distilleries, all 8 of them and 9 if you include | | | | product of the distilleries, is fed to the cows, again |
| the neighbouring island of Jura. This information | | | | re-enforcing that only the best quality will do for Islay |
| serves as an overture to what you will find, if you | | | | and it's inhabitants. |
| are so lucky, to visit Islay... it is a working Island. | | | | Luxury is the buzz word of Islay, whether you are |
| Unlike it's colleagues Arran, Mull and Skye, Islay's main | | | | whisky buffs, Bird watchers, or Foodies. Islay is the |
| industry is not tourism, so when you arrive on Islay | | | | only one of the famous 4 islands with an airport. Well |
| you are instantly aware that you are in the minority | | | | a working island just has to have one, doesn't it? A |
| as a tourist. You will hardly notice a Guest house sign, | | | | half an hour direct flight from Glasgow international |
| and no ribbon development of hotels on the sea | | | | airport. Rich and famous know the secret, and can |
| front. Instead you will search out Country Houses | | | | be transported from city life to the tranquil land of |
| offering sublime accommodation, furnished with family | | | | Islay in moments, "it's their bolt hole" one was heard |
| antiques and country tweeds. Islay has more 5 star | | | | to say. |
| Guesthouses than in any part of Scotland, adding to | | | | Islay is the supreme champion of them all, and quietly |
| the prestige of the island. Hotels are proud to display | | | | sits enchanting it's guests, and confidently luring them |
| their wares of golden bottles of Islay's whiskies, and | | | | back year after year. Islay is easy to get to, about 4 |
| guests revel in the story behind every dram. | | | | ferries a day from the Mull of Kintyre, and about 2 |
| Agriculture is the other main industry of Islay. A | | | | flights a day from Glasgow. Islay doesn't have to |
| limestone rift running through the island ensures | | | | shout about itself, it doesn't have to big itself up, it is |
| ample supply of grazing, to produce quality stock. | | | | pure unashamed luxury and it knows it. Each of the |
| Farmers travel from all over the country to buy | | | | villages from Ballygrant southwards offers the highest |
| stock from Islay at the annual sales. This is an event | | | | quality accommodation. Hotels and Guesthouses are |
| not to be missed, and tales from the sales spill over | | | | there to find, luxury being the common thread. |
| to the hotels in the evenings, giving a warm | | | | Round every corner there is a distillery, beside each |
| community spirit, long lost in our towns and cities. | | | | horizon there is a wonderful beach, behind each |
| Green fields are dotted with white sheep, and behind | | | | village a hill to climb. |