Introduction
This evening, I am reprising an Islay Tour. Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides islands, off the west coast of Scotland. Population is 3.230.
Portnahaven
Information on the tour.
Weather was characterised by threatening clouds and intermittent rain . This followed an overnight battering by tail end of a major storm.
We focused on a coastal section of the island between Port Ellen and Portnahaven. In course of our short trip we encountered the following wildlife and domestic animals:
- Seabirds
- Seals
- Black and white ‘belted’ cattle.
- Alpacas.
- Skeins of wild geese.
- Highland cows.
- Sheep
- Shetland ponies.
We commenced the day by driving from Port Ellen to Bowmore with a stop shortly after at Bridgend Bay. Here low tide offered some reasonable photo opps with views to Bowmore across the sandy bay.
Bridgend Bay at low tide
Next, through Bridgend towards Bruichladdich stopping in the bay to connect with coast.
Exploring Islay coast at low tide
Free roaming sheep.
Next, to Bruichladdich where we availed of a coffee break in a community cafe. Then a short visit to Bruichladdich Distillery.
Next, we walked on for about one mile to the local war memorial. Then a short hike over the fields for a landscape view of on archaeological site near the new Bruichladdich Distillery.Here construction work has triggered an investigation which may reveal a settlement dating back to prehistoric times.
Archaeological and construction site near Bruichladdich Distillery.
Next we drove on through Port Charlotte to Portnahaven passing Alpaca and Highland cattle en-route. We availed of a pub lunch at Portnahaven and then spotted a small number seals in the local harbour.
Basking Seal in Portnahaven Harbour
Portnahaven Harbour
Belted cattle near Port Charlotte
Alpacas near Port Charlotte
Highland Cattle near Portnahaven
Next, we drove north for about one mile to visit Islay Celtic Craft. Here we made some purchases and then retraced the same route back to Port Ellen encountering flocks of (Canada?) geese along the way.
Islay Celtic Craft, Portnahaven
Skein of Geese
More information
The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland containes a wealth of information on islands, whisky, sightseeing and much more. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.