(New) IslayBlog.com, a blog about the Isle of Islay, Scotland
Cask Strength since 2006
Found a rather nice Islay and Jura drone video this evening. It was filmed and edited by Phil Curry, you can find quite a few drone videos on his channel, from Scotland and many other places. But as this blog is about Islay (and Islay’s neighbours) we of course focus on this video:
Beaches, dolphins, a walking excursion to the Corryvreckan whirlpool north of Jura, lighthouse, hills, many great views of Islay. I hope you enjoyed the video.
With Christmas just around the corner I remembered I should write about an Islay present some of you might like, available at The Celtic House in Bowmore. I came across them during my visit in June and have one hanging on my wall at home. It’s a replica Islay road sign, in my case pointing to Port Charlotte:
I think they are really well done, they even have some rust spots even though they are not made of metal. I’ve put it next to my Gaelic map of Islay and Jura:
The ones currently in stock you’ll find under Islay and Jura Road Signs in the Celtic House shop. Further signs should become available again in spring 2025.
Of course you’ll also find plenty other Islay books and gifts, browse their online shop or drop into the store in Bowmore.
And they’ve done it again. I’ve shared videos by the BadLads Diving before (eg their tribute to the Otranto), now I’ve come across their 2024 video. Some fantastic views from above and below the water in a variety of locations around Islay, also some wildlife thrown into the mix:
Thanks for sharing these videos, gives us non-divers some great views we would never otherwise experience.
It’s a rather wet October Sunday morning where I’m writing this (and rather breezy on Islay), a good time to stay in for some Islay reading. So here are a variety of links to articles and more I’ve found. I hope you’ll find something interesting:
I hope you found something of interest, please leave your thoughts in the comments.
Something slightly different this evening: I’ve shared quite a few “regular” videos over the years and I’ve also shared a few 360° videos. This one is a 180° VR video, meaning you can zoom in and out a bit and also move your viewport to an extent. The description also mentions 3D, although I haven’t noticed any 3D features. Either way, the video is from a walk to and along Ardilistry Bay on the south coast of Islay:
This seems to be a quite a new channel with only two videos so far, will be interesting to see if there are going to be further clips from Islay.
Islay is a popular destination for Japanese tourists, in particular the famous whisky distilleries (some of course are Japanese owned). On the YouTube channel 空から世界を見てみたい (which according to Google Translate means “I want to see the world from the sky”) I’ve found a few short drone videos of said distilleries and more taken back in 2019:
Quite misty and moody, similar conditions just down the road at Lagavulin and Dunyvaig:
A bit brighter slightly further down the road:
Much sunnier at the other end of the island, the new Bunnahabhain visitor centre still under construction then:
Back to the other end of the island again, no sign yet of the rebuilt Port Ellen distillery:
To close a bit of Islay history:
I hope you enjoyed the videos and waved back at them.
Back in June I bought my first Islay cottage. Not one I can stay in, my budget doesn’t stretch that far, only a tiny one I can enjoy looking at standing on my Islay shelf. It comes courtesy of Gordon and Mairi Want’s Islay Celtic Craft Shop. This is how it looks:
It’s a small cottage at the shore, a rowing boat tied up on a pole just outside. A chimney for the fire of course. You won’t be able to buy this specific one, as each of the cottages they sell is handmade and unique. You can find more of them on their Facebook page (link above) or even better by visiting their shop just outside of Portnahaven on the back road past Kilchiaran to Port Charlotte.
When you visit the shop you’ll find all kinds of great local art and Islay things. If you’re lucky you also get to meet a very friendly cat (unfortunately can’t remember its name). Not to forget, Gordon was very helpful and found the perfect box to get my cottage home safely.
Oh, and the cottage wasn’t the only thing I bought. But that’s for another post…
The coastal path from Port Ellen to Ardbeg on the south coast of Islay, passing Laphroaig and Lagavulin on the way, is probably one of the best things since sliced bread. A while ago an Islay visitor filmed a timelapse video of cycling from Laphroaig to Ardbeg, allowing you to experience the ride in record time:
I hope the video inspires you to cycle (or walk) the path yourself. And feel free to take your time. You’re on Islay time….
Back in June I had the opportunity to visit the Reading University archaeological dig at Olistadh on the Rhinns of Islay. I took a few pictures and also dug out a few older pictures from when I passed Olistadh back in 2007, you can find them tagged Olistadh on my Islay photoblog. Yesterday I came across a nice video about the dig:
A nice refresher/reminder for me, I hope you also enjoy it, either completely new for you or a good revisit. Nice to learn about this lesser know part of Islay’s history.
Not strictly speaking an Islay link, but when I read the headline I immediately had to think of Islay. The rare bird is the elusive (as far as actually seeing one) Corncrake. I’ve heard its iconic call many times, in particular around Kilchoman, but only seen one once. A great memory of the late Ian Brooke, who excitedly knocked on the door of the cottage I was staying in to alert me to it sitting on a wall in plain view not far away. A great and unexpected sight. This bird currently only survives in the western and northern isles of Scotland in the UK, but the BBC reports about it being reintroduced in Norfolk in England with this headline:
Fresh hope for bird with bizarre ‘crex crex’ call
This probably describes them quite well:
It was often heard at night, keeping people awake with its piercing call, much like the sound of wood being drawn across the teeth of a comb.
I think people who had one below their bedroom window can relate. If you haven’t heard the call before, you can listen to it on the link above.