What's on - events

There’s plenty to do on Islay, year-round. Check out our ongoing activities as well as these events. And be sure to revisit as new details are added.

July 2025

Wednesdays and Sundays

Live music at Port Charlotte Hotel: traditional musicians in the bar. Music starts around 8pm.

Every Monday in July: Persabus Pottery is running workshops combining art and mindfulness 2.00pm-3.30pm (booking essential as spaces limited) on the theme of How Do you See the Sea? Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring your creative process. Capture the textures, and patterns of Islay’s coastline treasures and colourful seascapes through a variety of media combined with mindful exercises.

Thursday, 24 July

Flower power & big butterfly count: dune carpets of colour, frog orchids & fairy flaxes, with blue butterflies and bumblebees. Killinallan (meet 2pm at gate road end, E. Loch Gruinart). Free event from Islay Natural History Trust, No unaccompanied children, please.

Sunday, 27 July

Felted peatland/meadow landscapes 2pm-4.30pm: make your own piece of unique felted artwork. £40 per person, all instruction and materials provided. Three participants minimum required for workshop to run. Length of workshop is approximate and may run on longer. £20 deposit per person secures your booking and booking is essential. Workshops are run by Emma Baker in her garden studio a mile outside Port Ellen. For more information or to book email Emma or call 07845 036456.

Thursday. 31 July

Felted seascape workshop 2pm-4.30pm: : make your own piece of unique felted artwork. £40 per person, all instruction and materials provided. Three participants minimum required for workshop to run. Length of workshop is approximate and may run on longer. £20 deposit per person secures your booking and booking is essential. Workshops are run by Emma Baker in her garden studio a mile outside Port Ellen. For more information or to book email Emma or call 07845 036456.

Thursday. 31 July

Seashore safari at Swan Pool, Port Ellen: find hermits, prawns and little fishes (meet 2pm Port Ellen by the Coastguard hut), Free event organised by Islay Natural History Trust. No unaccompanied children, please.

August 2025

Every Monday in August: Persabus Pottery is running workshops combining art and mindfulness 2.00pm-3.30pm (booking essential as spaces limited) on the theme of How Do you See the Sea? Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring your creative process. Capture the textures, and patterns of Islay’s coastline treasures and colourful seascapes through a variety of media combined with mindful exercises.

Wednesday, 6 August

Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show: this year sees the 177th annual show – a not-to-be-missed event on the islands. See cattle, horses, sheep and dogs in the main judging ring. With handicrafts and hens, vegetables and home baking also coming under the judges’ keen eyes there is plenty to see, and plenty of silverware up for grabs.

Around the main tents, showground and horse jumping ring you’ll find a host of entertainment from children’s rides and stalls, to food and drink, local groups and organisations, vintage vehicles and tractors and much more. It all takes place at the showground near Whin Park, Bridgend, Islay. Tickets can be bought on the day and there will be parking on the showground fields. Learn more here.

Wednesday, 6 August

Art and craft Wednesdays: Natural History Trust, Port Charlotte. Lots of fun hands-on activities to help children find out about the wildlife of Islay. Sea tanks, touch pool, touch table, quizzes and children’s creative wildlife den. Open 10-4.

Thursday, 7 August

Bushcraft & outdoor beach fun at Port Charlotte: meet 2pm on the beach below the Nature Centre. Organised by Islay Natural History Trust. Free event; no unaccompanied children, please.

Friday, 8 August-Sunday, 10 August

Rhinns Lighthouse Festival: a collaboration between the Rhinns Hall, The Friends of Portnahaven Church, Bun Othan Harbour Association and The Rhinns Playing Field to celebrate the bicentenary of Orsay Lighthouse, and the part it has played in the community over the past 200 years.

Opening with a traditional Ceilidh at the Rhinns Hall, the weekend of events includes an exhibition, sports gala, storytelling & song, live music at An Tigh Seinnse and a street party and island trips from Bun Othan coastal path.

Friday, 8 August: traditional Ceilidh

Saturday. 9 August: exhibition, sports gala and storytelling

Sunday, 10 August: Street party and trips to Orsay

More information: see Rhinns Lighthouse Festival on Facebook and Instagram.

Wednesday, 13 August

Thursday, 14 August

Mini wildlife safari: seashore Safari at Swan Pool. Find hermits, prawns and little fishes. Meet 2pm Port Ellen by the Coastguard hut. Free event from Islay Natural History Trust. No unaccompanied children, please.

Thursday, 21 August

Minibeasts, scorpions and dragons: wildlife adventure for families. Pond dipping and minibeast hunting. Meet at Bruichladdich Pier at 2pm for onward direction. No unaccompanied children, please.

Thursday, 28 August

Seashore safari for families: a wealth of sea creatures to be explored in rockpools around Port Charlotte. Meet 2pm at Port Mor campsite car park. No unaccompanied children, please.

Thursday, 28 August-Sunday, 31 August

Islay Book Festival: authors and events still to be announced, so keep an eye out on this site and on social media for updates. Or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know!

September 2025

Sunday, 14 September

Islay Marathon: 7.30am start; run the whole race or recruit friends, family or colleagues to do a relay. Enter online at Entry Central or search Islay Marathon.

Friday, 19 September-Monday, 22 September

Islay Jazz Festival: enjoy a range of jazz styles being performed in venues across the island. For more information visit the Islay Jazz Festival website.

Saturday, 26 September

- Jura music Festival Weekend. Expect three days of music, dance and performance at this, the 31^st Jura Music Festival. Check out the website for more details and lineup.
www.juramusicfestival.com

October 2025

Friday, 3 October-Sunday, 5 October

Machrie Team Championship at Another Place, The Machrie, Islay: end the season in style and come together with your chosen team of four players on our championship links for a challenging and camaraderie-boosting, group golf competition with three rounds over three days. Enter online here.

Friday, 3 October-Monday, 6 October

Mindfulness and meditation break: learn and experience mindfulness practices that inspire everyday living, guided by meditation and mindfulness instructor Laurie Bell. Take three nights to concentrate on conscious living and integrated health amidst Islay’s inspiring landscape. Taking place at Another Place, The Machrie. More information here.

Friday, 10 October

Photography and wildlife break: get to know Islay’s wildlife and landscape – as well as your camera – as your explore the mediums of landscape and wildlife photography, refining your composition, lighting and other technical skills. Led by Islay photographer Ben Shakespeare and wildlife expert and RSPB warden David Dinsley. More information here.