Islay Archive

Kilchoman – an Abandoned Place Steeped in History on Islay

Kilchoman was once a thriving community on Islay – today, only the eerie graveyard, the ruined church and the old stone cross remain to remind us of the people who once lived here. That alone makes it worth a visit – that, and of course the distillery and the glorious beach nearby. Kilchoman’s handful of […]

Machir Bay – a Dream Beach on Islay

Two kilometres of glorious sandy beach on Scotland’s Atlantic coast, on the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay. The bay faces west, making for wonderful sunsets here. Inland, the beach is fringed by sand dunes, thickly covered in prickly marram grass – though paths lead through them too, and a short dune walk is well worth […]

Kildalton Cross – a Historic Celtic Cross on Islay

A masterpiece among Celtic crosses. Kildalton Cross dates from the 9th century, and for hundreds of years it kept a grisly secret. They hadn’t bargained for a discovery like this: mutilated skeletons beneath this beautiful cross? What on earth had happened here? John Ramsay was a wealthy man: a Member of Parliament, owner of the […]

Finlaggan – seat of the island lords on Islay

Eine Hausruine am Loch Finlaggan, im Hintergrund ist die Ratsinsel zu sehen.

Great power emanated from this small island: Close to the north shore of Loch Finlaggan lies an island on which the Lords of the Isles had their seat.

Kilchoman Distillery – The Authentic Whisky Distillery

Kilchoman whisky has long since established itself among connoisseurs. And that’s not the only reason this distillery on Islay is worth a visit. A visit to Kilchoman Distillery is the perfect antidote to the big distilleries on Islay! Instead of a large group led by a tourist-trained guide, you walk around the farm with Becky […]