Visiting Islay

• Islay distillery tours

  What each distillery currently offers, indicative prices and direct booking links.

• Best distilleries to visit

  Which sites suit a first trip, which reward a longer stay, and sensible day-by-day groupings.

• Islay whisky map

  Every distillery plotted, with driving distances between the main clusters.

• Fèis Ìle 2027

  The island's whisky festival, 28 May to 6 June 2027, with the confirmed distillery days.

Two routes reach the island. Caledonian MacBrayne runs vehicle ferries from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula to Port Ellen in the south and Port Askaig in the northeast; the crossing takes a little over two hours and vehicle space books out months ahead for the festival period. Loganair flies to Islay Airport at Glenegedale from Glasgow, which is quicker but leaves you needing transport on arrival.

Check current timetables and fares directly with the operators before booking accommodation — sailings are weather dependent and seasonal.

The island is roughly 25 miles across, but the distilleries sit in three clusters: the Kildalton coast east of Port Ellen, the Bowmore and Laggan area in the middle, and Port Askaig in the northeast, with Bruichladdich and Kilchoman out on the Rhinns to the west. Driving between clusters takes 25 to 45 minutes.

Scotland's drink-drive limit is lower than in England and Wales, and distilleries routinely offer drivers' drams to take away instead of tasting on site. Local taxi firms and tour operators are the usual solution; both are heavily booked during Fèis Ìle.

• All Islay distilleries
• Islay whisky guides