Ardbeg's iconic peaty whiskies start with their magnificent 10-year-old. The basic tour is good, and it also offers longer tours involving walks, stories and extended tastings. It's 3 miles northeast of Port Ellen; there's a good cafe for lunch here, too.


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1. Lagavulin

0.76 MILES

Peaty and powerful, this is one of the triumvirate of southern distilleries near Port Ellen. The Core Range tour (£15) is a good option, cutting out much…

2. Laphroaig

1.84 MILES

Laphroaig produces famously peaty whiskies just outside Port Ellen. Of the various premium tastings that it offers, the 'Water to Whisky' tour (£100) is…

3. Kildalton Cross

3.9 MILES

A pleasant drive or ride leads past the distilleries to ruined Kildalton Chapel, 8 miles from Port Ellen. In the kirkyard is the exceptional late 8th…

4. Bowmore Distillery

10.73 MILES

In the centre of Bowmore, this distillery malts its own barley. The tour begins with an overblown marketing video, but is redeemed by a look at (and taste…

5. Islay Ales

11.42 MILES

This microbrewery in a craft-shop complex by Islay House produces a range of real ales, all bottled by hand. After a complimentary tour, you can taste the…

6. Islay Natural History Centre

12.65 MILES

Under the Islay SYHA in Port Charlotte, this centre has displays explaining the island’s natural history, with advice on where to see wildlife and lots of…

7. Museum of Islay Life

12.7 MILES

Islay’s long history is lovingly recorded in this museum, housed in the former Free Church. Prize exhibits include an illicit still, 19th-century crofters…

8. Bruichladdich

13.17 MILES

A couple of miles from Port Charlotte, Bruichladdich (brook-lad-dy) is an infectiously fun distillery to visit and produces a mind-boggling range of…