Tag: video

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.

Interesting walk to Ardilistry Bay Islay video

Islay on Video

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:

Scotland Islay Ardilistry Bay – Relaxing Music Virtual Walk 8K 180 3D

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.

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.

A very fast bike ride on Islay

Islay on Video

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:

Islay: Scenic bike ride from Laphroaig to Ardbeg (time lapse)

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….