Tag: video

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….

Video about the dig at Olistadh, Islay

Islay on Video

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:

Islay archaeology

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.

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.

Beautiful new tune by an artist I discovered through the Islay Sessions

Islay Music

OK, I have to stretch a little bit for the Islay link here, but when deciding whether to share it on my personal blog or here I felt it fits here. After all like quite a few of the artists I listen to I discovered Brìghde Chaimbeul through the Islay Sessions, where she performed a few years back. A beautiful new tune played on Scottish Smallpipes:

Brìghde Chaimbeul – Banish The Giant of Doubt & Despair

I’m not sure where the video was filmed, although I believe on Skye, where Brìghde and Beth (the dancer) are from. I hope to get to hear and see Brìghde performing again, ideally on Islay, but also elsewhere. If you have the opportunity to see her go for it.

Nice drone video of Kilchoman beach, Islay

Islay on Video

Friday evening, time to sit back, pour a wee dram of Islay single malt whisky and enjoy an Islay beach video. Here’s one of Kilchoman beach in Machir Bay on the west coast of Islay I’ve just found:

Machir Bay Isle of Islay Scotland #scotland #machirbay #islay #beach #awesome

It’s only a short video, but you can just watch it several times on a loop while enjoying your whisky?

Video of the launch of the MV Isle of Islay

Islay News

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I completed my first crossing to Islay on the MV Finlaggan, but then again that was back in June 2011, over a decade ago. Later this year and early next year Islay is scheduled to receive two new ferries, the MV Isle of Islay and the MV Loch Indaal, both being built in Turkey as of writing this. Earlier this week the MV Isle of Islay was launched and this morning I came across a short video from the launch by Scott Smith:

MV Isle of Islay launch at Cemre

Looking great, hope to see her in action later this year or early next year. The BBC also has a report with further video footage: Islay Turkish-built CalMac ferry successfully launched.

Ruth Aisling visits Islay’s neighbour Gigha

Gigha Excursions

Last year, in June 2023 to be precise, I spent a few very nice days on Islay’s neighbour Gigha. You can find some pictures of Gigha on my photoblog from this visit and previous day trips. Ruth on her campervan trips around Scotland also visited Gigha, I believe in August 2023. Here is her report:

The Scottish Island Owned By The Community | Gigha

Brought back some nice memories from my visit for me, I hope you enjoyed Ruth’s video and it maybe inspired you to visit as well. Oh, and Ruth has been to Islay and Jura as well, but that’s for another time.

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.

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?