This page is intended to give you an overview about the author of this blog as well as some quick background about the blog itself.
About the Author, Armin Grewe
I’m Armin Grewe, the blogger writing this blog. I was born and grew up in Germany before moving to the UK in 1995, where apart from a short interruption from 1998-2000 I’ve lived ever since. I work in the IT industry, probably part of the reason I got involved in the web, building website and ultimately blogging. For the time being I live in southern England, currently in Aldermaston Wharf in West Berkshire.
In late July 1998 I booked a holiday for a week in Scotland. I can’t remember exactly why and how I picked Islay as one of the places to visit, it might have been a report in The Independent and an awakening interest in Single Malt Whisky. Whatever the reason was, on a rainy morning in August 1998 I arrived on Islay for the first time.
I have returned to Islay again and again ever since.
At least once a year, the last few years two or even three times a year, I’ve returned to Islay for yet another visit. Discovering new places, meeting new people, revisiting well-known places, meeting old friends, making new experiences, deepening my knowledge, you name it.
In 1999 I started my first website under www.armin-grewe.com (which is still going strong), information about Islay and travelogues from my visits to Scotland including to Islay are a large part of its content. In 2006 I added a blog about Islay to my collection, not surprisingly it could first be found at www.islayblog.com and now new.islayblog.com. December 2008 saw the addition of a daily Islay Pictures photoblog.
You can find more about and from me on my Armin Grewe Google profile and on my personal website.
About the blog, IslayBlog.com
As it says in the sidebar, this is a blog about the Isle of Islay, an island in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. That’s probably pretty obvious by now.
I will blog about anything Islay related I can think of: pictures, news, links, whisky, bird watching, wildlife, you name it. My goal is to entertain and inform my readers, give them something to enjoy about Islay every day. It’s not necessarily always up to date, it’s not a news channel, but I will try give quick updates or at least links about big events.
A large part of the content I find or even create myself, but at the same time I’m grateful about contributions from all kinds of other people. Some send me information, pictures or links, some post them online themselves and I just link to it.
One point I feel important to point out is that it is a personal blog. I don’t speak for Islay (not that anyone could anyway, there are many different opinions), the opinions expressed here are unless otherwise indicated my own. I wouldn’t want to create the impression this is an official blog for Islay (There isn’t one).
An important part of blogs are the comments, there is a section for readers comments under each entry. I hope that my readers will contribute their views and updates if they feel it is appropriate. In particular if I’m wrong and provide incorrect information I appreciate if anyone with better/correct information lets me and the other readers know about it.
Photos from today’s walk in Bridgend Woods, Islay, are now available on my Flickr page: flickr.com/photos/dfscotl…
Check it out! @islayblog
I’m photoing the blue hour at the lighthouse and the bagpipes start singing through the air from the village. Welcome to Islay! @islayblog
Shattered after my sunset, blue Hour and night shoot, but well worth it! All 10 photos on this link: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog
You can now find all of the photos from last night’s ‘Port Charlotte, Islay’ shoot on my @Flickr page: flickr.com/photos/dfscotl…@islayblog
The weather on Islay was naff today, so I did an indoor ‘smoke’ photo shoot. All images in this album: flickr.com/photos/1500517…@islayblog
Photos from today’s Kilchoman excursion are now on my Flickr: flickr.com/photos/dfscotl…@islayblog
The old West Loch Pier (near Tarbert) was beautiful this evening on my drive back to Islay. @islayblog @TarbertInfo
The tide was so far out at Kilchoman this morning! To see all of my photos from this morning, go to: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog
Kilchoman was gorgeous this morning – what a lovely day. To see my other photos, go to facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
So glad I went back to Kilchoman this evening to shoot the sunset. Uploading photos later to: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog
So glad I went back to Kilchoman for the sunset last night. All of the images are now on facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @bbcweather
@islayblog you’d have loved it here tonight on islay. Hope I’m not making you too jealous!
#help
Was macro shooting in Portnahaven today and came across these beasties – no idea what they are! @islayblog @NatGeo @BBCCountryfile
Visit facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… to see all images from this afternoon’s insect macro shoot on Islay. @islayblog @BBCCountryfile @NatGeo
Found this nice old-looking Woodstock Pipe washed up on the beach today. Any idea how old it might be? @RoadshowPBS @islayblog @BeatsAntique
Today was one of the busiest days on Kilchoman yet – 5 families lined the beach! facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
Only a meagre pollock to show for this evening’s efforts. Hopefully I’ll get a better haul when I return to Islay!! @islayblog
I’ve never seen the Kilchoman bridge submerged before! The water is so high after last night’s rainfall. facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
Kilchoman again today! I know I go there too often, but it is truly spectacular! All images on my page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
Photos from yesterday’s Bridgend Woods walk are now on my page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
The Ram’s Skull at the end of Machir Bay, Kilchoman. Images now on my page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @wildislaybirds
I could take the same photo of Kilchoman 100 times and it’d never once look the same – gorgeous beach! facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
So true
Some of the photos from today’s trip to Kilnaughton Lighthouse. All photos at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @wildislaybirds #islay
Ooh, thanks for the RTs, folks! @Islay_Jura @islayblog @TidelinesFest @ILYAirport
Hello Hebridean Isle. You brought the sun with you 🌞 @CalMacFerries @islayblog @isleofislay
Kilchoman photos with a twist from today are now on my facebook page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @wildislaybirds
My 16 best images from #Sanaigmore are now on my Facebook page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog @wildislaybirds @IslayStudios
Thanks for another fantabulous holiday @islayblog and @CalMacFerries 12mths is too long until next time 😢 long drive home now 😢😢
Port Charlotte was bathed in glorious light last night – all photos on my page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @wildislaybirds
Love drinking @bowmore #whisky but wonder where it’s distilled? One of the most beautiful distilleries! facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog
In one of the rare sunny spells today, the dogs had a great play on the strand! facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog @wildislaybirds #dogs
8 images of the moon over Loch Indall last night are now on my facebook page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… – here’s one of the images! @islayblog
Some shots of “Thalassa” leaving Bruichladdich & passing Port Charlotte are now on my page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
Last day on Islay gave me a final opportunity to visit Kilchoman and it didn’t disappoint! All photos at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog
You can now find my final Islay set for this holiday on my Facebook page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @wildislaybirds
There are now nearly 150 images in my ‘Islay’ Flickr album after a glorious summer: flickr.com/photos/1500517…@islayblog
@isleofislay @VisitScotland @islayblog What a week to be back on Islay ☀️ #Islay #scotland #VisitScotland #lovescotland #home
Scotland’s (Islay’s) no-frills ‘anti-sportive’ theguardian.com/environment/bi… @isleofislay @islayblog It was lovely the day before!
Of interest to those on #Islay @Laphroaig @Bruichladdich @Bunnahabhain @Kilchoman05 @ardbeg_com @LagavulinWhisky @TheGreenWelly @islayblog 🥃
Currently listening to a Bit of Islay @Kilchoman05 @IslayWhiskyFest @islayheritage @islayblog @islay
this is the islay waves picture i was trying and failing to post @islayblog
Looking back to Kilchoman beach in Machir Bay #Islay #Scotland via @islayblog islay.org.uk/2017/08/18/loo…
We are not exaggerating when we say our hens are free range @VisitScotland @AAHospitality @eviivo @ExploreArgyll @isleofislay @islayblog
Tonight’s hen pic #hens #islay #freerangehen @VisitScotland @AAHospitality @ExploreArgyll @isleofislay @islayblog @Islay_Jura
@VisitScotland @AAHospitality @Islay_Jura @isleofislay @islayblog @ExploreArgyll @Laphroaig @LagavulinWhisky @Bruichladdich @bowmore
twitter.com/scotlandbestbb…
@islayblog your namesake.
twitter.com/vivibolin/stat…
Made for over 238 years now that’s standing tbe rest of time for sure 🙂 @bowmore @islayblog #Islay #Argyll
twitter.com/whiskiesotworl…
@LantraScotland @CroftingScot @SCFHq @isleofislay @islayblog @TheIleach @syhahostelling @Kilchoman05 @Bruichladdich @Laphroaig @Bunnahabhain
Another beautiful photo from Armin @islayblog.
Banana breads all in a row @ExploreArgyll @AAHospitality @VisitScotland @isleofislay @islayblog @allanjenkins21 @BexWills #sliceanyone
Coffee and hazelnut muffins anyone? @ExploreArgyll @VisitScotland @AAHospitality @islayblog @eviivo @TheIleach @twmp @Islay_Jura
Figgy bread fresh from the oven 😍@VisitScotland @AAHospitality @eviivo @ExploreArgyll @isleofislay @islayblog @Islay_Jura
Love our fruit supplier #sofresh #berries @ExploreArgyll @VisitScotland @AAHospitality @eviivo @TheIleach @islayblog
Great walk in the sunshine this morning @TobermoryWhisky stopping off to view the Aros Falls. On to @islayblog for 7 days tomorrow.
After a fantastic drive drive to Portnahaven alongside a moonlit loch Indall and spotting deer, today is a tad blustery @islayblog
En route from Colonsay to @isleofislay @islayblog Tizzy our new rescue dog takes it all in
It may be stormy outside but the seals are keeping us entertained in Portnahaven @isleofislay @islayblog @Islay_Jura
And 10 minutes later the clouds have parted in Portnahaven, just one of the reasons I love @isleofislay @islayblog @Islay_Jura
Singing sands at Port Ellen, amazing @islayblog @Islay_Jura @isleofislay
Is there a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow? No just Port Ellen malting @islayblog @Islay_Jura @isleofislay
Almost too windy for my little @ardrone but here’s a video of The Singing Sands @isleofislay @islayblog @Islay_Jura
Tizzy our @RSPCAYORK rescue dog is determined to find a way into this barrel of @Laphroaig @islayblog @isleofislay @Islay_Jura
Tizzy investigates @ardnahoe @islayblog @isleofislay
Sunshine under the rainbow at Portnahaven @islayblog this morning. Off to @Bruichladdich soon for a Gin experience hic
What a difference a day makes, a sunny Portnahaven @isleofislay @islayblog this morning
increasingly conflicted by @islayblog – love morning pics of stunning island but resent not being there!
A great new blog from @islayblog on the upcoming Islay Sessions.
Watch this space for more info to come.
*17 – 19 NOV*
Some pics from today’s walk along Kilchoman with the dogs. For full post and all pics, go to: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog
Harvest Fields, enroute back from Kilchoman. Full post and more images at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @harvest #harvest #farm
Shots of the so-called ‘storm’ that not so much ‘hit’ but tickled Islay today! More at: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @SeanBattySTV @islayblog
Took the doggies out for their walk along the strand this morning before #Ophelia came to visit! @islayblog #dogsoftwitter #DogLovers
You could certainly see the weather turning as #Ophilia got closer! More at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @bbcweather @stvweatherwatch
#Ophelia hits Islay. More images at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog @stvweatherwatch @bbcweather @SeanBattySTV @BBCScotWeather
#StormOpheila part 2 – she’s really getting angry now! All images at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog @stvweatherwatch @BBCScotWeather
To highlight the size and power of #Ophelia, I re-shot three of my images from yesterday in the morning calm. @islayblog @BBCScotWeather
Loved seeing this wee deer on my trip around the west of Islay. All images at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho… @islayblog @wildislaybirds
Some shots from my jaunt to Portnahaven and the west of Islay today. All images at facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog @wildislaybirds
AND WE WON!!!!!!! OMG so excited @eviivo @AAHospitality @ExploreArgyll @TheIleach @twmp @VisitScotland @Islay_Jura @islayblog
Geese settling down in front of the @IslayHouseHotel – more on my page: facebook.com/donaldfeistpho…@islayblog @wildislaybirds @BirdWatchDaily
Ah, peer pressure! 😁
A wee walk from Saligo to the phone box today with the dogs! @islayblog @HolidayonIslay @wildislaybirds
Signing Sands @islayblog @isleofislay on a breezy morning.
Ghostly boats near @TobermoryWhisky en route to @isleofislay @islayblog @tobermorybrew
Who’s for a hot blueberry muffin or two this morning? @AAHospitality @VisitScotland @ExploreArgyll @eviivo @Islay_Jura @islayblog
@islayblog thanks for following we are looking for blogger / writers in Argyll and the Isles to write about Heritage / Arts / Culture in their area if your interested!
Here’s a wee tune written for ‘Robert A MacKenzie of Bruichladdich’ of the #DNMacKenzie family Port Charlotte! @islayblog
The @islayblog has a range of great stories…including an opportunity to re-settle on Islay new.islayblog.com
What a way to start the day @AAHospitality @TheAA_Lifestyle @BexWills @allanjenkins21 @ExploreArgyll @Islay_Jura @islayblog @VisitScotland #sunrise #Islay
Just back from the beach to blow away the cobwebs, whaat would you rather, Christmas shopping or a walk along here? #postive #beachlife #islay #localshopping #craftsforchristmas @AAHospitality @ExploreArgyll @TheAA_Lifestyle @islayblog @Islay_Jura @VisitScotland
That’s fantasic Armin! Look forward to seeing them – they’ll give us warm memories throughout the year!
WOW -8 right now in #Sandbank #Argyll is that the coldest we have #Argyll What your temps where you are @skyeandfrisa @kingsknollhotel @Love_Kintyre @islayblog @ILYAirport @ObanAirport @Nadair_Thiriodh @CollBunkhouse @jayneeeeeeeeeee @theyotspot #Argyll
Check out another great blog from @islayblog with a video of the first late night session in the Port Charlotte Hotel
Thanks Armin!
A couple of quick phone snaps this morning of fog over the paps and the burning skies. Great to be home on Islay! @HolidayonIslay @islayblog
A stunning morning on Kilchoman with Mum and the doggies! Poor Lady and Ted are getting so old now 😢 @islayblog @HolidayonIslay #islay #dogsoftwitter
Good morning from Port Charlotte with a few quick snaps of the dawning of a new day from Port Charlotte pier! @islayblog @HolidayonIslay
Good morning from Port Charlotte with a few quick snaps of the dawning of a new day from Port Charlotte pier! @islayblog @HolidayonIslay
Merry Xmas to #Islay @islayblog
Yet another stunning walk along Machir Bay, Kilchoman today! @HolidayonIslay @islayblog
Bliss! Our gang joined forces with some of their former pack from the Gearach as we took over Kilchoman for the afternoon! @DogsTrust @islayblog @HolidayonIslay
Vienna New Year’s Day concert and Islay Whisky Nibs new.islayblog.com/2018/01/01/vie… via @islayblog @Scenic_Routes this could almost have been written by you! Looking forward to our Anniversary trip to Islay in February #isleofjuradistillery also awaits! #WhiskyWednesday
Islay in November take me back! #myfavplaceintheword @islayblog @isleofislay @IslayStudios
Pepperoni! 😍
📸-@islayblog#Islay #Pizza
Visit to a wintery Islay today. Stunning island for all sorts of reasons. Lots of geese today, redwing and fieldfares in abundance and lots more Reed Bunting than usual. @Argyll_IslesApp @islayblog #WinterStorm #Weather @CalMacFerries #clouds