Scottish Tour Guide's Blog » Islay

Visit Port Ellen, Visit Islay

catswhiskers — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:18:50 +0000

Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Port Ellen which is the second largest town on the island of Islay and located in the south of the island.

Visit Finlaggan, Visit Islay

catswhiskers — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:16:04 +0000

This evening, I am focusing on Finlaggan, a very ancient site located in the north of the island of Islay, a few miles west of Port Askaig.

This particular area of Islay appears to have been important in prehistory as evidenced by a standing stone and evidence of crannogs. From the 12th to 16th centuries, Finlaggan was the power base of the chiefs of Clan MacDonald, Lords of the Isles who controlled vast tracts of the west of Scotland. The progenitor of the clan was Somerled who established a ruling dynasty following his defeat of the Norse in a sea battle during 1156.

Visit High Cross of Kildalton, Visit Islay

catswhiskers — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:05:13 +0000

Kildalton Cross, Islay, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the ancient High Cross of Kildalton which is situated in the grounds of the now defunct ( and part ruined) Old Parish Church of Kildalton which is located in the S.E. corner of the island of Islay and accessed via a single track road.

Tour Islay Distilleries, Tour Scotland’s Distilleries

catswhiskers — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:58:26 +0000

This morning we departed our lodgings in Bowmore and visited Bowmore and Bunnahabhain distilleries. In between we called in to the historic site of Finlaggan, power base of the Lords of the Isles during the medieval period.

Visit Islay Distilleries, Visit Islay

catswhiskers — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:05:52 +0000

This morning our tour group departed lodgings at Glasgow Airport at 6.00 am and proceeded as follows:

To Kennacraig via a short stop at Inveraray. Journey took about 2 hours.

Visit Abhainn Dearg Distillery, Visit Isle of Lewis

catswhiskers — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:40:14 +0000

Abhainn Dearg Whisky, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Scotland’s youngest whisky distillery, namely Abhainn Dearg ( ‘Red River’) at Carnish on the Isle of Lewis . This was founded in 2008 and is the only distillery in the entire chain of islands comprising the Outer Hebrides. Abhainn Dearg is the brainchild of local businessman, Mark (“Marco”) Tayburn.

Having passing the minimum three years plus one day maturation period the new single malt is now produced in a limited edition. Bottling currently available is single cask, non-chill filtered and 46pct ABV.

Unlike rival distilleries on nearby Islay, the whisky is not peated.

Here is a video clip of the distillery which was taken when maintenance was in process. Note that the copper stills do not fall in the ‘pot still’ category, unlike most Scottish whisky distilleries.

Tour York, England

catswhiskers — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:17:16 +0000

View from atop York Minster

This evening, my theme is the ancient English city of York which has long history dating back at least 2000 years.

In the Roman era (AD43-410) York (orEboracum ) was a very important Roman city, the remains of which are still evident, principally the foundations of the still extant city wall, baths, Multangular Tower, Bootham Bar and supporting column for the Basilica.

Pollock House and Gardens, Glasgow

catswhiskers — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:34:09 +0000

Highland Bull

This afternoon, with unusual bright sunny conditions, I went round to Pollock House and Gardens to obtain a few seasonal images.

Pollock House is a Palladian Mansion which dates from the mid 18th century. It was designed by father and son duo of William and John Adam for the Maxwell family.

Whisky To Pour

admin — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:33:00 +0000

Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides and is known as the “Whiskiest Isle” because it is home to no less than seven producers which are: