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The Islay FerryMost car, freight and passenger traffic to and from Islay goes by ferry using the route from Kennacraig on West Loch Tarbert to Port Ellen or Port Askaig. Kennacraig is located 6 km south of the pretty fishing village of Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsula. The operator on this route is Caledonian MacBrayne, mostly referred to as Calmac, and is owned by the Scottish Government. Calmac operated the Kennacraig to Islay route from the early 1970s and has done so ever since. Since 2007 this route is operated by two ships all year round, due to increased whisky production of the island's distilleries and an increase in tourism. The vessels that operate the route all year round are the Hebridean Isles and the Isle of Arran. Information about the two ferries currently sailing the Kennacraig to Islay route: MV Hebridean Isles - Eileanan Innse Gall The Hebridean Isles was launched on 4 july 1985 and delivered later that year. The Hebridean Isles was the first CalMac vessel to be named by royalty, in her case HRH the Dutchess of Kent, and the first to be launched sideways. Her first commercial sailing was on 6 December on the Stornoway-Ullapool route. Before being sent to the Islay route the Hebridean Isles served several routes to the Outer and Inner Hebrides as well as several months on the Oban to Mull and Cononsay route. When the Hebridean Isles was replaced by the larger Hebrides in 2001, she was transferred to the Islay route. She returns north for a short spell each winter on relieving duties.
Check the Image Gallery for more pictures of the Calmac Hebridean Isles Ferry MV Isle of Arran - Eilean Arrain The Isle of Arran was launched from Ferguson-Ailsa's Port Glasgow yard on 2 December 1983, to replace the summer ferry Clansman on the Ardrossan to Brodick (Arran) route on 13 april 1984. The Isle of Arran was launched by Miss Joanna Younger, daughter of Scotland's Secretary of State. There is a spacious cafeteria on board and her accommodation was extensively refurbished in 1990. The Isle of Arran was the first CalMac ferry to have an invalid lift from car deck to passenger lounge. When a larger vessel, the Caledonian Isles, was commissioned in 1993 the Isle of Arran was made the designated Islay ferry from 26 august that year. On the commissioning of the Hebrides in 2001 the Hebridean Isles was transferred to Islay and the Isle of Arran became spare. After temporary employment as a secondary vessel on the Stornoway - Ullapool route, and Oban she returned to Islay as second vessel in an enhanced summer service.
Check the Image Gallery for more pictures of the Calmac Isle of Arran Ferry
General information and check in From Kennacraig Kennacraig to Port Askaig Kennacraig to Port Ellen
Relevant Information
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Facilities: lounge, disabled toilets, lift for disabled, ambulance room, full meals, light snacks and packed lunches, shop, cafeteria and bar.
Facilities: lounge, disabled toilets, lift for the disabled, souvenir shop, full meals, light snacks, bar and packed lunches, play area, ambulance room and dogs area. 
There are no services on 25 December and 1 January. Latest check in before departure for vehicles from Kennacraig 30 minutes, from Port Ellen and Port Askaig 45 minutes. Latest passengers check in travelling from all ports 10 minutes. Contact information: Kennacraig tel 01880 730253 or Port Ellen tel 01496 302209. For reservations call +44 (0)8000 66 5000. Prices for a car and two passengers are from £78 (winter season) to £115 (summer season).
As soon as the ferry leaves West Loch Tarbert she crosses the Sound of Jura and heads directly for the fast flowing Sound of Islay, passing MacArthur's head lighthouse on the left, and enters the narrow channel that divides Islay and Jura. The tiny village of Port Askaig is halfway up the Sound of Islay and will be visible just after Dunlossit House, Dunlossit Castle according to the locals, on the left. This sailing takes around two hours and sometimes Port Askaig is used as an alternative for Port Ellen during adverse weather conditions.
Books from Amazon
Norman Newton - Islay guide
A small book, loaded with gorgeous colour pictures of this beautiful Island in the Hebrides. Has a useful Information and Places to visit Guide. Includes a map, distillery info and lots more.
Margaret Storrie - Biography of an Island
Dr Margaret Storrie gives a compreh account about the past and present of Islay. Anyone wishing to learn and understand the history of Islay will find this book fascinating.
Gilbert Carmichael - Old Islay
A lovely book with many pictures from The Old Days on Islay including the distilleries, peat cutting and steamers at Port Ellen
George Robertson - Islay and Jura
George Robertson (Lord Robertson of Port Ellen), has produced an intriguing and, dare I say it, eccentric collection of photographs of his favourite islands Islay and Jura.
Hamish Haswell Smith - The Scottish Islands
Fascinating book dealing with all the beautiful islands Scotland has to offer. A must for the Island Hopper.
Landranger Islay Map
This map is part of the Landranger (Pink) series and is designed for people who really want to get to know an area. This map makes your Islay Discovery a lot easier and is a must for every visitor of Islay.
