Rosemary’s guidebook
Sightseeing
With spectacular beaches, and steeped in history there are many beautiful places to visit on the island.
Visit the ancient seat of the Lord's of the Isles. A five minute drive from Persabus this beautiful island on Loch Finlaggan is steeped in history and has an amazing atmosphere.
8 locals recommend
Finlaggan
Visit the ancient seat of the Lord's of the Isles. A five minute drive from Persabus this beautiful island on Loch Finlaggan is steeped in history and has an amazing atmosphere.
Just along the single track road which runs through the farm Ardnahoe is Islay's newest distillery. You can book to do tours and tastings, or visit the restaurant, which is open during the day for coffee and cake or meals. It has stunning views across the Sound of Islay . There is also a fantastic shop for souvenirs
9 locals recommend
Ardnahoe Distillery
Just along the single track road which runs through the farm Ardnahoe is Islay's newest distillery. You can book to do tours and tastings, or visit the restaurant, which is open during the day for coffee and cake or meals. It has stunning views across the Sound of Islay . There is also a fantastic shop for souvenirs
one of Islay's most spectacular beaches. Machair Bay is a scenic half hour drive from Persabus, where Atlantic rollers come crashing onto a beautiful huge sandy beach. It is not safe for swimming due to under currents, but if the tide is out you can swim in the deep sandy rockpools at the far end.
11 locals recommend
Machir Bay
one of Islay's most spectacular beaches. Machair Bay is a scenic half hour drive from Persabus, where Atlantic rollers come crashing onto a beautiful huge sandy beach. It is not safe for swimming due to under currents, but if the tide is out you can swim in the deep sandy rockpools at the far end.
Kildalton Cross
One of the oldest standing celtic crosses, steeped in history.
Arts and souvenirs
Come and join us in the pottery. At present we are open for pottery sales or if you are feeling creative we can organise a 'takeaway pottery' box for you to enjoy. Follow the instructions on the Persabus website and we will then glaze and fire the pieces for you to take home.
The pottery is open Monday to Friday from 12noon until 4pm and 12noon to 3pm on Saturday
Persabus Pottery and Ceramic Cafe,
Come and join us in the pottery. At present we are open for pottery sales or if you are feeling creative we can organise a 'takeaway pottery' box for you to enjoy. Follow the instructions on the Persabus website and we will then glaze and fire the pieces for you to take home.
The pottery is open Monday to Friday from 12noon until 4pm and 12noon to 3pm on Saturday
At Sannaig you will find the Outback Art Gallery.
A fabulous art gallery and coffee shop. It is not sign posted, but head from Persabus towards Bruichladdich, turn left along the single track road to Kilchoman and then take a right along the single track road sign posted Sannaig. Follow the road to the red phone box where you fork off to the right. At the end of this very long single track road is this amazing art gallery and also beautiful sandy beaches.
Sanaigmore
At Sannaig you will find the Outback Art Gallery.
A fabulous art gallery and coffee shop. It is not sign posted, but head from Persabus towards Bruichladdich, turn left along the single track road to Kilchoman and then take a right along the single track road sign posted Sannaig. Follow the road to the red phone box where you fork off to the right. At the end of this very long single track road is this amazing art gallery and also beautiful sandy beaches.
Food Scene
A five minute drive from Persabus Ballygrant Inn has won whisky bar of the year several times for its award winning selection of malt whiskies.
owned and run by locals it offers delicious takeaway meals at this time.
8 locals recommend
Ballygrant Inn
A five minute drive from Persabus Ballygrant Inn has won whisky bar of the year several times for its award winning selection of malt whiskies.
owned and run by locals it offers delicious takeaway meals at this time.
A fantastic Islay welcome awaits you at this family run hotel. A firm favourite with the locals. Bowmore Hotel offers a fantastic whisky collection and an extensive menu to choose from with huge portions, you will not leave feeling hungry.
11 locals recommend
Bowmore Hotel
Jamieson StreetA fantastic Islay welcome awaits you at this family run hotel. A firm favourite with the locals. Bowmore Hotel offers a fantastic whisky collection and an extensive menu to choose from with huge portions, you will not leave feeling hungry.
If you love the freshest of seafood this is the place to go. Huge platters of crab, lobster, langoustine and clams are served with salad and chips amongst other delicious offerings. There are also more traditional choices on offer for anyone who is not wanting to feast on seafood.
This is our favourite place to eat.
7 locals recommend
Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen
If you love the freshest of seafood this is the place to go. Huge platters of crab, lobster, langoustine and clams are served with salad and chips amongst other delicious offerings. There are also more traditional choices on offer for anyone who is not wanting to feast on seafood.
This is our favourite place to eat.
If you love pizza and Italian food I cannot recommend Peatzeria highly enough. At present they are offering a takeaway service.
13 locals recommend
Peatzeria
22 Shore StIf you love pizza and Italian food I cannot recommend Peatzeria highly enough. At present they are offering a takeaway service.
Port Charlotte Hotel has excellent food. Dine in either their restaurant or choose from their bar menu. Booking is essential. Again this is one of our favourite places to dine.
11 locals recommend
Port Charlotte Hotel
Main StreetPort Charlotte Hotel has excellent food. Dine in either their restaurant or choose from their bar menu. Booking is essential. Again this is one of our favourite places to dine.
History
If you are fascinated with history and want to learn more about our lovely island this is the place to visit. Friendly staff will help you with any questions you may have.
9 locals recommend
The Museum of Islay Life
Daal TerraceIf you are fascinated with history and want to learn more about our lovely island this is the place to visit. Friendly staff will help you with any questions you may have.
Local walks
If you walk from the farm down the single track road and cross over to the houses opposite the road end, you will see a track to the left of the houses which follows the main road towards Port Askaig. Follow the track and opposite Caol ila road end go through the gate and take the track to the right. You can walk on this track through the woods, down to Lilly Loch. Take a left and then a right and follow the track to a pebble beach on the Sound of Islay, or follow the track to the left and walk round Lilly Loch and onto Loch Ballygrant and eventually Ballygrant itself.
Loch Ballygrant
If you walk from the farm down the single track road and cross over to the houses opposite the road end, you will see a track to the left of the houses which follows the main road towards Port Askaig. Follow the track and opposite Caol ila road end go through the gate and take the track to the right. You can walk on this track through the woods, down to Lilly Loch. Take a left and then a right and follow the track to a pebble beach on the Sound of Islay, or follow the track to the left and walk round Lilly Loch and onto Loch Ballygrant and eventually Ballygrant itself.
If you head to Bunnahabhain and park on the left by the track, on the very last bend before the distillery, there are some fabulous walks. You can either continue along the track, cross the bridge over the river and walk through the forest back to Finlaggan, alternatively you can head out along the coastline to Rhuval Light house, or climb Sgrabh Breac.For the coastline or to climb Sgarbh Breac, head along the track for a couple of hundred metres past the old stone sheep fank and turn right, follow the track alongside the sheep fank and go through the deer gate. Follow the steep track down and across the bridge and then follow the track out along the coastline. It is teeming with wildlife and the scenery is among Islay's finest.
Bunnahabhain
If you head to Bunnahabhain and park on the left by the track, on the very last bend before the distillery, there are some fabulous walks. You can either continue along the track, cross the bridge over the river and walk through the forest back to Finlaggan, alternatively you can head out along the coastline to Rhuval Light house, or climb Sgrabh Breac.For the coastline or to climb Sgarbh Breac, head along the track for a couple of hundred metres past the old stone sheep fank and turn right, follow the track alongside the sheep fank and go through the deer gate. Follow the steep track down and across the bridge and then follow the track out along the coastline. It is teeming with wildlife and the scenery is among Islay's finest.
You will see a carpark on your right just before you come to the Bridgend Hotel and shop. If you park here, cross the main road and go through the gate there is a lovely track which leads through the woods, you can walk to the woollen Mill through the woods too. There are lots of trails to enjoy. In the early months the woods are carpeted white with snow drops, followed by bluebells and then daffodils.
Bridgend
You will see a carpark on your right just before you come to the Bridgend Hotel and shop. If you park here, cross the main road and go through the gate there is a lovely track which leads through the woods, you can walk to the woollen Mill through the woods too. There are lots of trails to enjoy. In the early months the woods are carpeted white with snow drops, followed by bluebells and then daffodils.
Ardnave has beautiful walks along the coastline, and Ardnave church is a beautiful old ruin to visit. A sandy wilderness awaits. I would advise against taking dogs due to the cows, if you do go with dogs be very careful.
Ardnave Point
Ardnave has beautiful walks along the coastline, and Ardnave church is a beautiful old ruin to visit. A sandy wilderness awaits. I would advise against taking dogs due to the cows, if you do go with dogs be very careful.