Tag: video

New Islay video: Fleur de Lampaul in the Sound of Islay

Islay on Video

Back in mid June, when I picked up my sister Imke from the ferry having arrived in Port Askaig, I spotted a nice looking sailing ship in the distance. Despite being tired after a long day of travelling from Germany my sister agreed to wait until the ship had passed for a closer look. The ship turned out to be the French ketch Fleur de Lampaul. I was able to take a few pictures and record footage for a short video, which I’ve now finished:

Ketch Fleur de Lampaul in the Sound of Islay, Scotland

While only short I hope you enjoyed the view of the ship slowly and quietly gliding past on its way south. I think it’s nice and calming in our hectic world. What do you think?

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.

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?

Islay’s Oa from a boat video

Islay on Video

Back in October I shared an interesting 180° VR video from a walk to Ardilistry Bay. I noted that the channel was quite new and wondered if there were going to be further Islay videos. That question has now been answered, as there’s now another video, a video from a boat trip around the Oa:

Scotland Islay Skerries – Wild Marine Music Adventure VR 8K 180 3D

I’m not sure why they say Skerries, as far as I know the cliffs of the Oa are not part of the Skerries. Maybe I’m wrong. Either way, some great views up the cliffs with the American Monument on top, also some interesting views around Soldier’s Rock. Same as with the other video it uses some kind of 180° panoramic technology, meaning you can to an extent change the direction you’re looking.

Nice Islay and Jura 2023 drone video

Islay on Video

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:

Islay & Jura 2023

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.