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?

Replica Islay and Jura road signs at the Celtic House

Islay Businesses

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:

Picture of a replica Port Charlotte road sign
Replica Port Charlotte road sign

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:

Picture of a replica Port Charlotte road sign next to a framed Gaelic Islay and Jura map
Replica Port Charlotte road sign next to Islay and Jura map

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.

Some Islay distilleries from the air videos by a Japanese visitor

Islay on Video

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:

LAPHROAIG distillery, Islay Island, Scotland

Quite misty and moody, similar conditions just down the road at Lagavulin and Dunyvaig:

LAGAVULIN distillery, Islay Island, Scotland

A bit brighter slightly further down the road:

ARDBEG distillery, Islay Island, Scotland

Much sunnier at the other end of the island, the new Bunnahabhain visitor centre still under construction then:

BUNNAHABHAIN distillery, Islay Island, Scotland

Back to the other end of the island again, no sign yet of the rebuilt Port Ellen distillery:

PORT ELLEN distillery, Islay Island, Scotland

To close a bit of Islay history:

Kildalton Cross, Islay Island, Scotland

I hope you enjoyed the videos and waved back at them.

Crossing the North Channel to Islay in a Wayfarer dinghy

Islay on Video

Over the years various boats and other vessels have been used to cross the North Channel from Ireland to Islay, from sailing yachts to paddleboards and kayaks. This evening I came across a video of a group of sailors crossing from Portrush to Port Ellen in three Wayfarer dinghies. Enjoy the very well made video:

Portrush Yacht Club’s Wayfarers Sail to Islay

It took them about 7 hours one way I understand, having to dodge some traffic on the way. They of course were welcomed on Islay and had a good overnight stay, hoping to return one day.

Reopening of Islay’s Port Ellen distillery receives a lot of press coverage

Islay Whisky News & Links

As was to be expected the reopening of one of Islay’s (not) lost (any more) distilleries received quite a lot of media attention. After a lot of work Port Ellen distillery is back in business, looking quite fancy in parts. They are quite similar to an extent (at least partially based on a press release I’d assume), but here are a few press mentions:

Those are the main ones I came across, there were more….

A great tour around Islay with a drone video

Islay on Video

And he’s done it again. Stuart has put out another great Islay from the air video, mostly filmed during his travels around the island as a taxi driver. This one is a compilation of views from pretty much all over the island, some during the day, some during sunset and you even get to see a rare snowy landscape:

Islay in all its glory 4K drone footage

A very enjoyable 5 minutes, I hope you enjoyed the video as much as me or even more. I’m sure there will be more to share over the coming months and years.

A few Islay links for mid March 2024

Islay Links

While spring is hopefully on its way today is rather grey and dull where I am at the moment, a good time to catch up on some Islay reading. So here are a few Islay related links I came across recently:

That’s all I’ve got for now, I hope you found some of the links interesting. More to come some other time.

Two sailing (and motoring) to/from Islay videos

Islay on Video

I’ve shared a few sailing to/from/around Islay videos over the years, so why not a few more? Here are two videos of the SY Sula, first sailing (and motoring due to lack of wind) from Largs to Port Ellen, then continuing from Port Ellen to Kerrera. Some great shots in nice sunny weather with some great drone footage, but also some grey damp weather. Starting with leg 1:

Sailing to Islay, Scotland [Ep 16]

Then leaving Islay with leg 2:

Sailing to the Isle of Kerrera, Scotland [Ep 17]

I hope you enjoyed the videos, not long now until the warmer and hopefully sunnier days of spring and summer, possibly with some nice sailing trips?

New Islay video: Port Ellen lighthouse and village from the air

Islay on Video

This video was in a way seven years in the making. as I filmed the footage back in June 2015, edited a teaser in early 2016 and then … progress stalled. Not sure why, for some reason I didn’t edit the full version ‘director’s cut’. But now it’s finally done and I can share 7 minutes of great views around and over Port Ellen from the air with you. The flight starts at Carraig Fhada lighthouse, we then move over to the Port Ellen maltings and distillery warehouses before finishing off around the centre of Port Ellen. I hope you enjoy the views:

Islay’s Port Ellen lighthouse and village from the air (drone view)

As the footage is from 2015 some things have changed in the meantime, one of the main changes I can think of will be Port Ellen distillery which is currently being rebuild. But of course there will be a few more. The character of the place as such won’t have changed though and the views are great in any case.

I’m hoping to continue the current run of a new video every week next week as well, but I can’t promise anything. If I do there’s a good chance of another visit to Saligo Bay in some form, possibly with a sunset in 360° or a sunny beach walk.