Islay & Jura Whisky Trails

Trip Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Grade & Terrain

This route is largely not waymarked and much of it is on quiet country roads along with tracks and paths. The walks are graded easy to moderate as they are not strenuous and although there may be some uphill and steeper sections, these are not particularly challenging.

Navigation

With our route notes and GPX tracks provided on the Macs Adventure smartphone app, you should have no problem following the route each day.

• Overnights in hand-picked accommodation (B&B's, hotels and guest houses)
• Breakfasts
• Baggage transfer
• Taxi transfers (as per itinerary)
• Detailed trip documents, GPS tracks, maps and route notes on the Macs Adventure smartphone app
• 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

• Travel insurance (required)
• Transport to the start or from the finish of the walk
• Taxi transfers or public ferry and bus transport
• Distillery tours
• Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
• Personal equipment

• Additional nights before or after the trip
• Return Calmac ferry from Kennacraig to Islay

When To Go

This walking holiday is best enjoyed between early April and mid-October. Islay is very popular during the summer months, and the last week in May during the annual Whisky Festival, so we advise booking as far in advance as you can. Due to public transport restrictions on the islands at the weekend, it’s best to begin your trip from Monday—Thursday. However, if this isn’t possible just call the office and speak to our Destination & Adventure Specialists who can help by arranging taxi transfers.

Weather and Climate

Scotland enjoys a temperate climate, meaning it's relatively mild all year, except in winter when temperatures occasionally dip below 0 degrees Celsius for short periods. The Scottish Islands are renowned for variable weather so you should be prepared for everything; from 'dreich' days (a Scottish word for drizzly days that are a bit bleak) to days with beautiful blue skies and warmer weather. Whatever the weather it tends to be breezy so spare layers in your day-pack is always recommended.

From the end of April to October average daily temperatures vary from 9-15 degrees Celsius. Monthly rainfall varies from 10-16 mm per month on average. Generally, May-July are the driest and mildest months, but walking later in the year from Sep-Oct is pleasant in cooler temperatures and with great autumnal scenery as the leaves begin to change colour.

Getting to the Start

To arrive by ferry make your way to Kennacraig on Scotland’s mainland, there are daily Citylink buses from Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow (3hr 20 mins) that will take you from Glasgow to Kennacraig—on the 926 bus headed onto Campbeltown.  From Kennacraig take the Calmac ferry to either Port Askaig or Port Ellen on Islay.  The Kennacraig ferry terminal has public toilets, a ticket office and waiting room. 

If you’re coming from further afield you might prefer to fly to Islay directly from Glasgow airport with Loganair. The airport is just a 10 minute bus ride from Port Ellen or 35 minutes by bus to Port Askaig. 

It’s s also possible to make this trip a drive & hike by using your own car if you are coming from the UK. Most of the distilleries are able to give the designated driver their drams in miniature bottles to go. Please speak to a Destination & Adventure Specialist to find out more.

Getting from the End

Please follow the above directions in reverse for your journey home.

Baggage Transfer

No separate bag transfers are needed on this itinerary, please bring your bags with as you use the local bus service to transfer around this wonderfully slow-paced island. You'll be able to leave your bags at your hotel reception on arrival or at your B&B by prior arrangment so you can enjoy the rest of the day unburdened by your luggage.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Excursions & Distillery Tours

Please note that due to the current covid-19 pandemic most distilleries have been affected in some way; some are closed to the public entirely and others have cut back on tours, and guided tour capacity. As these changes are fluid and may change weekly please check the websites of the distilleries you wish to visit to avoid disappointment. If guided tours are still possible make sure to book in advance as tour capacity may be reduced. 

The trip is designed to help you make the most of your time on Islay and your proximity to it’s world-renowned distilleries. As such all the walks are optional and most should take around half a day, ensuring you have plenty of time to visit the distilleries. Please note that the distilleries all have varying opening hours, and some only run tours on specific days and at pre-arranged times. Most of these tours should be pre-booked either online or by phone directly with the distilleries. We provide information on the tours offered and when they run in the pre-departure information pack. Additionally, you can find live tour availability on many of the distillery websites.

There are so many whisky tour and tasting options to choose from that we have excluded these so you are free to choose your preferred tour and tasting options at each distillery. The cost for a basic distillery tour and sample dram or two tends to be around £10 per person. If you would like to try something special we recommend the Laphroiag Water to Whisky premium tour. This includes a tour of the distillery, picnic at the water source, along with a chance to try peat cutting for yourself on Laphroaig’s nearby peat source, followed by a cask tasting and bottling all accompanied by your knowledgeable Laphroaig guide. The tour operates 7 days a week from noon lasting 4.5 hours with 7 people maximum per tour. Alternatively, try the premium tour and tasting at Islay’s only farm distillery at Kilchoman. Distinct from the other distilleries on the island Kilchoman is a smaller operation that grows and malts all of their barley onsite. The tour operates 7 days a week from 11am for 2 hours with 12 people maximum per tour.

Please note distillery tour dates may vary outside of the summer months. A basic distillery tour normally takes 1 hour so make sure to plan your distillery visits around any walks you plan on doing to allow yourself plenty of time. Check distillery websites and book well in advance for tours to avoid disappointment on the day.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.