Out and about on Islay

Back Blipped

Day Five of our Hebrides experience was our last on Islay.  We are due to get a ferry back to the mainland the next morning and to resume our motorcycle touring.  Accordingly we both agreed that it was intended to be a (reasonably) dry day, as far as alcohol was concerned, to make sure that we were safe to ride the next day.  We almost kept to the plan.

Having said that, there were still 5 more distilleries to visit.  Visiting a distillery but not tasting the product, could it be done?  In practice the answer was yes, but we did end up having a few drams in the evening :-)

After our by now traditional large cooked breakfast we set off on the motorbikes to find out.  The road from Port Ellen past the airport to Bowmore is largely flat if not particularly smooth. Being sensible we held our speed to a conservative 50 mph, which was just as well when we unexpectedly hit a tiny hump mid way which saw my bike airborne for a brief moment - that certainly woke me up!

Bowmore was followed by Bruichladdich (where they also make a mighty fine gin by all accounts) and then a long ride down to the south of the Island stopping at Port Charlotte for lunch.  Port Charlotte was delightful. As my shot shows, we saw a family group swimming in the bay, while the children wore wet suits, Mum was happy without.  The sun had been shining off and on, but it wasn't that warm!

A trip 5 miles up a single track road saw us take in the tiny Kilchoman distillery which is relatively new and where we stopped for a cup of tea.  After another ride we made it to Bunnahabhain where I took my last shot, looking towards Jura (don't ask me to pronounce the name of that distillery, I've tried and tried and still can't get it right!).  At this point I managed to lose the filter for one of my ear plugs, which was a bit frustrating as they are a customised fit.  Fortunately I had a spare pair which is just as well as riding a motorbike is a noisy affair.  Its the wind noise against one's helmet you understand, nothing to do with the volume of one's exhaust.


Caol Ila and the site of the Ardnahoe distillery (due to open next year) completed the circuit and we duly road back to Port Ellen.  As we took the road from Bowmore to Port Ellen I remembered to slow down for the mini bridge.  I also kept a careful eye on the sheep near the airport, which was just as well, for as anticipated a group of four of them decided to cross the road in front of us.

Having navigated the Islay roads safely Incredibish and I packed ready for the morning and went for a last couple of drinks in the welcoming Ardview Inn.  We so enjoyed our time here that we are already talking about coming back, surely the sign of a great holiday.

You will have noticed that I've gone for mono conversions today.  In part this was because the big sky landscapes seemed to cry out for that treatment.  Its also because tomorrow promises to be colourful .....

Mark's take on day 5 of our trip is here