What's on

There's lots to do on the island, so please revisit these listings as new events are added.

Distilleries

To book a visit, tasting or tour, check the details at our Islay distilleries page .

The Isle of Islay Gin shop is also open at Islay House Square, Bridgend, Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, for tastings and purchases, and to meet the makers. Call 01496 810111.

September 2024

RSPB guided walks: join us at 10am every Tuesday at The Oa or every Thursday at Loch Gruinart for a tour round our awe-inspiring nature reserves. Led by our passionate guides, come and search for Eagles, chough, Hen Harrier and more, and learn about the conservation work we are carrying out to protect our amazing wildlife. Go here for more information.

Until Friday, October 4

Art exhibition, works by Dietmar Finger:  JAZZ ON ISLAY, an exhibition on the occasion of the Islay Book Fesitval and the Islay Lagavulin Jazz Festival See the exhibition at the ICCI Gaelic Centre, Bowmore. More details here.

Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22

Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival: this is put together by Islay Arts Association in partnership with Jazz Scotland. For more details, see the festival website or follow the links below.

Friday, September 20

Launch, Malt Mill, Lagavulin Distillery, 6pm

India Blue/Seonaid Aitken sings Ella, Sold out.

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Gaelic Centre) Bowmore, 8pm

Helena Kay Quartet

Malt Mill, Lagavulin Distillery, 8pm

Azamiah

Bruichladdich Hall, 10.30pm

A Tribute to Stéphane Grappelli

Saturday, September 21

Bruichladdich Hall, 9.30am

Open rehearsal (Birds of a Feather)

Ardbeg Distillery, 12pm

Matt Carmichael & Pete Johnstone

RSPB Centre, Loch Gruinart, 12pm

Birds of a Feather

The Round Church, Bowmore, 3.30pm

Sébastien Giniaux Solo

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Gaelic Centre, Bowmore), 6pm

Laura Macdonald plays Cole Porter

Malt Mill, Lagavulin Distillery, 8pm

Atlantic Road Trip

Bruichladdich Hall, 10.30pm

Pete Johnstone's 'Timepiece'

Sunday, September 22

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Gaelic Centre, Bowmore), 12pm

Kjetil Mulelid

Rhinns Hall, Portnahaven, 2.30pm

Celebrating Burt Bacharach/Support: Ciara MacTaggart & Brian Palmer

Laphroaig Distillery, 2.30pm

Helena Kay and Miro Herak

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Gaelic Centre, Bowmore), 7pm

Islay Impressions: A Festival Exclusive

Bruichladdich Hall, 9.30pm

Paul Towndrow Trio

Friday, September 27

Live Music in the Old Port Bar, Port Askaig Hotel: lively band playing lots of familiar  sing-a-long songs. Some traditional Scottish/Irish plus contemporary hits. From 8pm-ish till late. To book a table for supper email hotel@portaskaig.co.uk or call 01496 840245. Main Bar tables will be reserved for those dining. Promise of a fun night.

Ongoing

Islay Archers: we shoot Mondays 7pm-9pm at the Islay High School sports hall, Bowmore, in winter and every Sunday afternoon 2pm-4pm Port Mor, Port Charlotte, in summer (not during Fèis Ìle week). Visitors are always welcome, beginners and experienced archers alike. For more information, just email us.

Ceramic painting at Persabus Pottery: come have a go at painting your very own ceramic piece. The pottery is open for pottery painting workshops, Tuesday to Friday 12 noon to 4pm and Saturday 12 noon to 3pm. We are also running some exciting Art Experiences. Discover, explore and connect with nature's colours and patterns, through mindfulness and art, and find your inner creative flow. Keep an eye on our social media for more details of upcoming courses, or head to the Persabus website to book an Art Experience Workshop.

Handmade Scottish Tablet: An Gleann is open for the new season. Come and visit for some home-grown preserves, a range of our own honey and beeswax gifts and, of course, lots of new season tablet!  See the An Gleann website.

Swimming, gym and sauna, MacTaggart Leisure Centre: features a 25m x 8.5m four-lane pool and gym overlooking Loch Indaal, fully equipped with range of cardio and resistance machines. Five-seater Eco sauna. See here for opening times and further details.

Islay Sea Adventures boat trips: regular tours run until October 31. Wildlife Tours:  Monday to Friday, 10am and 2pm, and Saturdays at 10am. Seafood Tours: Fridays at 2pm: Fishing Tours: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am and 2pm. Corryvreckan Tours: set days each month to correlate with the spring tides. These tours will run until September. Private charters are available anytime. Discover more here.

Bus tours of Jura: Jura Island Tours runs tours seven days a week. They can pick you up and return you to the ferry from Islay, and you’ll be treated to a wonderful day of stories, history and culture plus seeing everything Jura has to offer. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor (search for Jura Island Tours) and see here to whet your appetite.

Port Wemyss Cake Cupboard: situated at Burnside Lodge B&B, Port Wemyss, normal hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. Call in for teas, coffees and incredible home-made cakes, or take some home to enjoy later or as you enjoy the path and admire the view!

Islay studios, Islay House Square: photographic and art gallery and café. Open until Christmas, Monday-Saturday 10-5pm.

Live traditional music at the Port Charlotte Hotel, Port Charlotte, every Wednesday and Sunday night.

Museum of Islay Life, Port Charlotte: learn more about the history of the island and its inhabitants. Explore our extensive collection of artifacts. The museum, in a former church, has recently been refurbished. Open Monday to Friday, 10.30am-4.30pm.

Islay Nature Centre, Port Charlotte: open every day 1pm-4pm. Come and find out more about Islay’s flora and fauna and meet some of the sea creatures that inhabit our seas. 

Treasure hunts: charity Sidekick has put together some treasure hunts for Islay for children and families to take part in this summer. Several hunts are available; one starts from the information centre in Bowmore, one from the visitor centre at Finlaggan and one from the phone box in Port Wemyss. You can pick up copies of the treasure map at all three  locations. Find out more about Sidekick on Facebook.

Made In Islay and Jura Arts and Crafts Market, Bruichladdich Village Hall: every Tuesday and Thursday 10am-4.30pm. Meet local arts and craft people. Original paintings, high-quality prints, photos, books, jewellery, hand-spun wool, quilting and more.

Badminton club: Islay Badminton Association meets in Islay High School every Thursday 7.30pm-9.30pm during term-time until May. Open to anyone 16+. Equipment available.

Church services: you'll find details at our Islay churches & services page. The Islay and Jura Church of Scotland also has a Facebook page that you can check out here.

Port Askaig Hotel: open for sit-in lunches, evening meals and takeaway food. Locally landed seafood a speciality. Booking not required except during Fèis Ìle and for larger parties. Email the hotel, call 01496 840245 or see its website.