Me and a friend are going to Islay in 2017, because of our love for boat trout and whisky. We will spend a week or two there and are thankful for suggestions on where to stay.
Hi Joakim, Apart from a few very short stays, my trips to Islay were done in a small motorhome. There are a couple of campsites with shower facilities etc as well as nice hotels and eateries nearby in different parts of the island. I,m sure a search on google will find you loads of B&B's, cottages and caravans to let.
Joakim, I have stayed at this place which is quite OK but not at the luxury end of the market. There is a fine view out of the window and it is a short walk along the street in Bowmore to the main whisky shop where you can spend more that £1,000 on some of the bottles for sale. It is very central for getting about on the island.
http://www.statham.org.uk/islay/tnm.html (http://www.statham.org.uk/islay/tnm.html)
I stayed here in Port Ellen & it was a first class B& B. Handy for the OA peninsular & it numerous lochs. Port Ellen Angling Club but watch out for the bearded chappie in the Spar shop where you get the permit which incidentally covers all their waters, tried to shaft me for an extra few quid by charging me for 5 day tickets instead of the weekly one which was way cheaper. Loch Kinnabus is their best loch & has a boat if required.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551853-d658643-Reviews-Oystercatcher_Bed_Breakfast-Port_Ellen_Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551853-d658643-Reviews-Oystercatcher_Bed_Breakfast-Port_Ellen_Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html)
Tight Lines
Quote from: rannoch raider on May 30, 2016, 08:05:59 PM
Hi Joakim, Apart from a few very short stays, my trips to Islay were done in a small motorhome. There are a couple of campsites with shower facilities etc as well as nice hotels and eateries nearby in different parts of the island. I,m sure a search on google will find you loads of B&B's, cottages and caravans to let.
We've done some googling and found some interesting stuff. Thanks for the tip about campsites, might be an option should we want to keep the cost down.
Quote from: Bobfly on May 30, 2016, 10:42:10 PM
Joakim, I have stayed at this place which is quite OK but not at the luxury end of the market. There is a fine view out of the window and it is a short walk along the street in Bowmore to the main whisky shop where you can spend more that £1,000 on some of the bottles for sale. It is very central for getting about on the island.
http://www.statham.org.uk/islay/tnm.html (http://www.statham.org.uk/islay/tnm.html)
Thanks Bobfly, I'll check that place out. A £1000-bottle is not likely to be in our budget I'm afraid, but we'll definately leave the place with a good selection. I would guess that two thirds of the time will be spent on the water, and the rest on whisky and culture/scenery. Your description of the the place in the link sounds like what we are after.
Quote from: Highlander on May 30, 2016, 11:42:48 PM
I stayed here in Port Ellen & it was a first class B& B. Handy for the OA peninsular & it numerous lochs. Port Ellen Angling Club but watch out for the bearded chappie in the Spar shop where you get the permit which incidently covers all their waters, tried to shaft me for an extra few quid by charging me for 5 day tickets instead of the weekly one which was way cheaper.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551853-d658643-Reviews-Oystercatcher_Bed_Breakfast-Port_Ellen_Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551853-d658643-Reviews-Oystercatcher_Bed_Breakfast-Port_Ellen_Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html)
Tight Lines
Thanks for the guidance and the warning. Fooling us clueless swedes shouldn't be that hard I think. :lol:
I'll check the place and the club out!
Quote from: Highlander on May 30, 2016, 11:42:48 PM
I stayed here in Port Ellen & it was a first class B& B. Handy for the OA peninsular & it numerous lochs. Port Ellen Angling Club but watch out for the bearded chappie in the Spar shop where you get the permit which incidentally covers all their waters, tried to shaft me for an extra few quid by charging me for 5 day tickets instead of the weekly one which was way cheaper. Loch Kinnabus is their best loch & has a boat if required.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551853-d658643-Reviews-Oystercatcher_Bed_Breakfast-Port_Ellen_Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551853-d658643-Reviews-Oystercatcher_Bed_Breakfast-Port_Ellen_Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html)
Tight Lines
That sounds like big Ian who fishes with Dod, Billy and Colin from the Port Ellen Club.
Old members of the forum who used to do the Crask end of season stravaig.
Billy
The wildlife is nearly as good as the whisky, one of my favourite places which I intend to re-visit. I was only sea fishing when I went so can't help with the fly fishing. Will you have a car? if not then as has been said, I would recommend Port Ellen as a centre to be based from, plenty of fine distilleries within staggering distance and the ferry stops there, so it's handy.
Islay is great.....when I'm over there is usually 10 of us so probably not the type of accommodation your looking for. Bowmore distillery does flats, which are nice.
Camping on Islay..........I know I'm a softy but weather can be bad and if it's good weather midges can be equally bad. If it's your holiday I'd go for a small cottage. Lots of them for rent.
As for location I'd go for bowmore or bridgend. Closer to the best fishing and close to a lot of distilleries.
Loch gorm and the puddles to the north of the island are my favorites.
Thanks for all the valuable information! There will only be the two of us, and I think we're going to make this as comfortable as we can afford. Leaving tents and tarps in old Sweden.
You must try loch ardnahoe,some impressive fish in there if you ar fortunate.
Quote from: loch coulter on June 03, 2016, 07:52:53 PM
You must try loch ardnahoe,some impressive fish in there if you ar fortunate.
Noted, thanks!
Don't forget the insect repellent. Full strength DEET is essential. :D
Quote from: admin on June 03, 2016, 08:41:29 PM
Don't forget the insect repellent. Full strength DEET is essential. :D
Thanks for the heads up! They say garlic helps, but it doesn't go well with Laphroaig in my opinion! But being from a forest with water everywhere I'm quite used to being a blood donor. In a month or so the biting gnats will be everywhere, they're the worst.
Quote from: Joakim on June 03, 2016, 09:02:13 PM
Thanks for the heads up! They say garlic helps, but it doesn't go well with Laphroaig in my opinion! But being from a forest with water everywhere I'm quite used to being a blood donor. In a month or so the biting gnats will be everywhere, they're the worst.
I've been lucky enough to try your black fly and mosquitoes......seriously they are like butterflies flies in comparison.