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.
June 2025
Wednesdays and Sundays
Live music at Port Charlotte Hotel: traditional musicians in the bar. Music starts around 8pm.
To Saturday, 28 June
Arts and Crafts Exhibition: Islay Gaelic Centre and Café, Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile Garnatra. Open 9am-5pm. Enjoy coffee and cakes, lunches and light bites at the café, too.
Saturday, 7 June
Children’s event at Celtic House, Bowmore: join Sarah McIntyre at The Celtic House 2.30pm-3.30pm Get ready to draw a brave wee mouse character with this top-notch illustrator. Explore the mouse Islands and discover the inspiration behind this series of illustrated books - Adventure Mice – by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.
Bring your ideas for wonders and perils to create together a whole new adventure; you can bring your sketchbook (grown-ups, too) if you’d like to show her drawings you’ve made. There will be treats and after the party co-author Sarah will be happy to sign, doodle and dedicate books. Entry is free but please email to book tickets here.
Sunday, 8 June
Islay Nature Centre Gaelic tour of Portnahaven and Port Wemyss, A’ charaidean còire: a short, easy walk round the villages. Learn some basic Gaelic vocabulary while enjoying the local wildlife and history, and great views. Start 2pm for around two hours. Meet Portnahaven toilet block & bus shelter. Parking available at Village Hall. All welcome - please dress for the weather. Suggested donation - £5 adults, £12 family, £2 INHT members. More info - see the Islay Natural History website.
Thursday, 12 June
Art workshop at RSPB Loch Gruinart, 2-5pm: if you love the amazing Islay scenery and are inspired by the incredible wildlife of this beautiful island, why not create your own unique souvenir and learn some new skills by joining local artist Dietmar Finger for an art workshop at Loch Gruinart nature reserve? He will guide you through your own sketch at a location around the reserve or in the visitor centre, depending on the weather. Workshops cost £35 per person with tuition and all materials included. Booking essential and under 16s must be accompanied. To book and for further information please email Dietmar or text 07391 234749.
Sunday, 15 June
Islay Nature Centre Ballygrant woodlands - wildflower walk: native forest flowers, birdlife, trees, mosses, lichen. Start 2pm for around two hours. Meet Ballygrant Hall car park. All welcome - please dress for the weather. Suggested donation - £5 adults, £12 family, £2 INHT members. More info - see the Islay Natural History website.
Sunday, 22 June
Islay Nature Centre Floral and orchid dune delights - Killinallan: butterflies, unique botany, exposed Atlantic shoreline, birdlife. Start 2pm for around two hours. Meet Killinallan gate - road end east side of Loch Gruinart. All welcome - please dress for the weather. Suggested donation - £5 adults, £12 family, £2 INHT members. More info - see the Islay Natural History website.
Friday, 27 June-Sunday, 29 June
The Machrie Open at Another Place, The Machrie: an individual three-day event to put your game to the test on our championship links at the height of the Hebridean summer, when the course is in peak condition and the days at their longest. Our flagship Open competition is a true 36-hole challenge – perfect for those chasing a low score as well as enthusiasts just looking for a great weekend of golf in stunning surroundings. Enter online here.
Sunday, 29 June
Islay Nature Centre Seaweed foraging, Sanaigmore: foraging and advice on cooking with seaweeds on the shore. Start 2pm for around two hours. Meet Sanaigmore car-parking area. All welcome - please dress for the weather. Suggested donation - £5 adults, £12 family, £2 INHT members. More info - see the Islay Natural History website.
July 2025
Sunday, 6 July-Friday, 11 July
Cantilena Festival: enjoy a week of world-class music on Islay. Every July the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay is home to Cantilena’s professional musicians and students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland who together bring their unique sound of chamber music to residents and visitors, with many of the concerts being held in the famous Islay Malt Whisky distilleries. Tickets on sale from June. Find out more here.
August 2025
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.
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 to mark the Bicentenary of the Rhinns Lighthouse includes and 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.
Thursday, 28 August-Sunday, 31 August
Islay Book Festival: suthors 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.
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.