John and Neil’s The Islay Project – Ar Foluain

Islay Music

Some lovely Irish music recorded on Islay I found today. Neil Ó Briain and John Tracey recorded their project Ar Foluain (meaning “afloat” in Irish) during a four day stay on Islay (not entirely sure when) and released it last week. They recorded a beautiful video of their time on Islay mixed with the recordings of the songs, the video and songs are a mixture of English and Irish, so you might need to switch on subtitles:

Ar Foluain | The Islay Project

Very enjoyable I think, I hope you liked it as well. If you follow the link above you’ll also find further links to various music streaming services where you can listen to the album.

New Islay road video

Islay on Video

It’s a fairly simple video, but I finally got my act together and uploaded a new Islay video. It’s another Islay road video, following in the footsteps of a (rather wobbly, gimbals weren’t a thing for me back then) video I created 15 years ago: Driving the Low Road – An Islay Road Movie? This one is one of my favourite drives on a sunny day, when the Paps of Jura are nicely visible:

Driving from Ballygrant via Keills to Port Askaig Brae, Isle of Islay

While the reason for the drive is often sad for me (as it often means I’m on the way to the ferry, leaving Islay) I still enjoy the wide views with the Paps of Jura on the horizon. The video starts just outside Ballygrant, then takes us to and through Keills and finally down Port Askaig Brae.

I hope you enjoyed the views from the virtual road trip. If all goes well I’m hoping to upload a few more new videos over the next few weeks.

Islay April Fools 2025

Islay Fun

That’s enough for another year, as the vast majority of you of course spotted the Islay Gisky release was this year’s April Fools from this here blog. The German speakers among you probably spotted the names, Gibtihnnicht means as much as “doesn’t exist” and AllesErstunkenUndErlogen as much as “all made up and a lie”. Of course I wasn’t the only one trying it out, in particular on Facebook (meaning you will probably need to be logged in to see them) I noticed a few more Islay related April Fools:

What will we come up with next year?

First Islay Gisky launches today

Islay News

Some fascinating news for Islay whisky and gin drinkers today: German scientist and inventor Bernd Gibtihnnicht after moving to Islay is launching a world first, a genuine fusion of whisky and gin. Not a blend, but a genuine fusion of the two drinks, creating completely new and previously unknown taste experiences.

Picture of a bottle with Gisky written on it, a nosing glass next to it
Islay Gisky (1)

With his unique, patented and trademarked (as well as TOP SECRET!) AllesErstunkenUndErlogen® parallel dual still Doppelkondenser technology Bernd has been able to distil a unique drink on Islay that merges yet maintains the taste profiles and characteristics of Islay whisky and Islay gin. Of course it includes various Islay grains including rye, barley and wheat, but is also infused with various rugged Islay botanicals including gorse and dune grass.

Picture of a bottle with Gisky written on the label
Islay Gisky (2)

Bernd is convinced that both Islay whisky connoisseurs as well as Islay gin enthusiasts will love his innovative fusion of the two drinks. Further details about availability and where to buy the Gisky will be released through the course of the day.

myhighlands.de recommends Islay’s neighbour Colonsay (in German)

Colonsay Excursions

Something for the German speakers today (or those who can get by with the YouTube automatic translation subtitles): Stephan Goldmann of myhighlands.de has published his latest podcast where he talks about what he calls his “Retreat Islands”, lesser visited islands with fewer tourist attractions than their better known and more touristy counterparts. Places where he can retreat from the busier places. One of them, the third one to be precise, is Islay’s neighbour Colonsay:

Meine drei liebsten schottischen Inseln, auf die ich mich gerne zurückziehe

Of course in German, but on Stephan’s website you’ll also find information about Islay and Jura. Not to forget Gigha as well as (to be expected from this podcast) Colonsay.

A visit to Islay’s neighbour Gigha (with some Scottish Gaelic)

Gigha Excursions

While I don’t have much Gaelic (at a push I can recognise the odd word) I have been to Islay’s neighbour Gigha a couple of times, most recently for several days in 2023. It’s a beautiful island with great people, well worth a visit, be it for longer or a for a day trip (I think you can get a RIB day tour from Islay? Anyone know more? Leave a comment or send me a message). Found this very enjoyable video, where Gordon (who is learning Gaelic) is talking about his visit to Gigha:

Speaking Scottish Gaelic on the Isle of Gigha in Scotland (Drone Tour) [English & Gaelic Subtitles]

If you (like me) don’t have much/any Gaelic, don’t worry, English subtitles are provided. Just like Gordon I can only recommend a visit to the Boathouse restaurant and the Twin Beaches.

Now I’ll have to check if Gordon has also been to Islay (Ìle) and/or Jura (Diùra), I very much suspect he might have been. But that’s for another post (assuming he has been), for now enjoy his visit to Gigha.

Another video of a slightly shorter Islay cycling tour

Islay on Video

Time for the follow up to the Video of a long Islay cycling tour post from a few days ago. As mentioned Kev returned a few months later and recorded another Islay cycling video. This one also takes us from and back to Kilchoman, but this time he stayed on the Rhinns only, taking us around almost the whole Rhinns:

South West Islay loop

Slightly different style to the other video, this one mostly filmed while on the move, I assume with some kind of action camera. Lots of views of the villages and part of the routes around the Rhinns, also the famous red phone box at the Sanaigmore junction.

Video of a long Islay cycling tour

Islay on Video

Islay is a good place for cycling, come sun or rain (those in the know will get the reference. It’s also mentioned in the video). Kev went on a long ride from Kilchoman Cottages around the Rhinns as well as over to Port Ellen via Bowmore and back. Various views of the island in his video:

Wee Tour of Islay

And that’s not all, Kev has done more cycling on Islay and just recently uploaded another video. That’s for another post though, coming soon.

Another 180° VR Islay video, the southern distilleries

Islay on Video

Looks like my hopes are getting fulfilled. After the Ardilistry Bay video in October and the Oa video in December I’ve just spotted another 180° VR Islay video from this channel. This time they are taking us to the three southern distilleries (Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg) with a short stop in Port Ellen:

Scotland Islay Three Distilleries – Stunning Coastal Walk 8K 180 3D

Same as with the other videos it uses some kind of 180° panoramic technology, meaning you can to an extent change the direction you’re looking. Looks like this was filmed over two or more days, while Lagavulin and Ardbeg get some nice sunshine it’s overcast for Laphroaig and Port Ellen.

Some nice views from Dunyvaig Castle, anyone recognise the tall ship you can spot? Is it the Thalassa?

New Year’s Concert 2025 with Islay whisky and Islay chocolate

Islay Fun

Back to a more traditional schedule after last year’s late start and AI New Year 2024. Following a fairly noisy night (no, not fireworks, but quite strong and blustery winds in West Berkshire) I left for an early walk, just avoiding the rain which set in mid morning and has turned quite heavy while I’m writing this. Then it was time for the New Year’s Concert 2025 from Vienna, while eating my usual New Year’s Day brunch, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and homemade rolls. For the encore (including the famous Blue Danube Waltz and Radetzky March) I moved on to dessert:

Picture of a bottle of Bruichladdich Port Charlotte valinch, a nosing glass filled with whisky and a chocolate bar named Salry Sea Dog
New Year 2025 Islay Whisky and Chocolate

The whisky is of course the Bruichladdich Port Charlotte valinch OLC: 01 2013 opened on Christmas. The chocolate is another offering from Islay Cocoa, the Salty Sea Dog. I normally avoid salty foods (high blood pressure), but for an occasional treat I make an exception. Very much enjoyed the chocolate, the salt and the chocolate go well together, also nicely complemented by the whisky (and the music from Vienna).

With the concert now over I’m looking forward to a relaxing afternoon, should the rain stop early enough I might venture out for another short walk.

Happy New Year 2025!