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The Isle of Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Southern Hebrides of Scotland and lies in Argyll and Bute. The Isle of Jura, Kintyre peninsula and Northern Ireland are Islay's neighbours. Islay is pronounced as Eye-la. The earliest known reference to the Isle of Islay comes in Adomnan's, Vita Columbae, a biography of the Irish Saint, Columba or Colum Cille in about 720 AD. St Columba visited the Isle of Islay on his way north, prior to founding the famous monastery on the Isle of Iona, off the south-west tip of the Isle of Mull.

Adomnan, St Columba's biographer, wrote Islay's name as "Ilea", describing Islay as an inhabited island, which was later transformed to Islay through anglicised spelling. In Gaelic the island's name is spelt Ìle and pronounced EE-leh by native Gaelic speakers.

The Isle of Islay has around 3200 inhabitants, covers an area of 600 square kilometres and has an impressive 130 miles of coastline. Islay is famous for its malt whiskys and has eight working distilleries on the island making the malt whisky industry one of the most important sources of income for the island. Famous names like Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Ardbeg are the established brands and well known all over the world. Another main industries are farming, fishing and tourism. A lot of people visit Islay because of the distilleries, the wildlife and the spectacular scenery. Islay is with good reason known as Queen of the Hebrides. Birdwatching is popular throughout the year because of the large flocks of wild geese which visit the Isle of Islay every winter (October to May) and the huge variety of rare birds seen on Islay such as the corncrake and the chough.

Islay has a very long and rich human history. Evidence has been found to prove that the Isle of Islay was inhabited by very early settlers who came to Islay in Mesolothic times after the last Ice Age in around 7500BC as fishermen and hunters. In later Neolithic and early Bronze Age times many standing and carved stones were raised. The Cultoon stone circle dates back to this time. The Isle of Islay was once the main seat of power in the west of Scotland and became known as the home of the Lords of the Isles. The remains of their settlements are still visible at Finlaggan which is a very important archaeological site on the Isle of Islay. Remains of Islay’s religious history and carved stones are visible at several locations on the Isle of Islay. The Kildalton High Cross is the last unbroken ringed Celtic cross existing in Scotland, dates to around 800AD and a fine example of this early history. Other high crosses can be found at Kilnave and Kilchoman, and carved grave slabs can be seen at Kilchoman, Kilnaughton, Keills, Bridgend, Finlaggan and Nereabolls.

Islay’s climate benefits from the warm Gulf Stream, bringing mild winters with little frost or snow and summers that are not too hot. The driest, most pleasant weather is often from May to July, when the long daylight hours are most enjoyable. Several annual festivals on the island attract many visitors, especially the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, which is held annually in May and brings many people to the island. Then, all available beds are often booked a long time in advance. Other festivals are the Islay Jazz Festival in September and the Cantilena Chamber Music Festival at Easter and in the summertime.

There are many things to see and do besides visiting the distilleries and enjoying the scenery and wildlife. Golf at the Machrie Hotel's links, cycling, fishing, horseriding and hillwalking are only a few of many possible activities on Islay. Also, there are several remarkable hand craft businesses on Islay. The Persabus Pottery, Islay Woollen Mill and Islay Quilters should be on every visitor’s itinerary. Some of these handcraft businesses can be found in Islay House Square, Islay Ales is one of them, and is Islay's only Brewery. Islay offers many wonderful and quiet sandy beaches all around the island, some more suitable for swimming than others. Most beaches on the shores of Loch Indaal and Laggan Bay are safe for swimming, but it's always best to check the tides and weather before taking off into the sea. The Atlantic west coast of Islay is particularly beautiful because of stunning bays at Machir, Saligo and Sanaigmore. Saligo Bay is a must to enjoy one of the most impressive sunsets in Scotland. Some even say that Saligo Bay offers the most beautiful light in Scotland. Interesting and beautiful places like historic Port Charlotte, Bowmore with its Round Church, Port Ellen and Portnahaven will make your stay complete. Also not to be missed is the Museum of Islay Life where the visitor gets a good impression of Island life in earlier and historic times.

This website aims to be the ultimate online guide to the Isle of Islay. There is a wealth of information with high-res pictures available, all accessible through the main pull-down menu under the header picture. There are separate accommodation pages for Bed and Breakfasts and Guest Houses, Hotels and Hostels and Selfcatering accommodation. If you like to stay up to date with news and events on Islay the Islay Weblog is the site to visit, alternatively you can sign up for the Islay Newsletter. Before planning a visit to Islay be sure to visit the Islay Bookshop for a complete selection of available maps and books about Islay, wildlife and whisky. Once on Islay it is recommended that visitors attend the fun and interesting Visitors Welcome Evenings which are held from April to October on monday evenings at changing locations around the island. The Welcome Evening consists of dance, music and short talks giving current information about Islay, often complemented with a welcoming dram and/or slice of clootie dumpling. Check the Islay Weblog for an overview of organised evenings and other events.

Bruichladdich Village and Distillery seen from the pier

Norman Newton - Islay guide A small book, but loaded with gorgeous colour pictures of this beautiful Island in the Hebrides. Has a Useful Information and Places to visit Guide. Gives you a crash course of Place-Names and their pronunciation, so you won't be murdering the Gaelic. Includes of map, gives information of Medieval ruins, the Islay distilleries - which produces fine Single Malt Whisky. Gives you a real flavour of this delightful Island. The book is soft sided and lightweight so if you plan to visit, the book is easy to take along.

Islay, Jura and Colonsay: A Historical Guide This work explores the history of the Hebridean islands of Islay, Jura and Colonsay. It covers the human occupation since earliest times, the relics left on the islands, monasteries, forts, carvings, artefacts of mesolithic times through to the modern-day distilleries of Islay and Jura.