What's on
There’s plenty to do on Islay, year-round. We add new details when they’re available, so be sure to revisit. Here’s what's happening month by month; go here for ongoing activities.
August 2026
Every Tuesday
Craft fair, Bruichladdich Hall. 10.30am-4.30pm. A fine selection of arts and crafts made on Islay and Jura, offering excellent souvenirs of your visit, or gifts for family and friends.
Nature walks every Sunday
Organised by the Islay Natural History Trust. Learn more below and at their website.
Islay Jazz Festival. Tickets now on sale (see 11 September listing for more details).
Friday, August 14
Beachcraft & outdoor beach fun. Port Charlotte - meet 2pm on the beach below the Nature Centre. No unaccompanied children, please. Wear appropriate footwear, and dress for the weather!
Saturday, 15 August
National honeybee day. Explore the world of honeybees, beekeeping and activity of the hive with our observation hive. Includes honey tasting! Islay Nature Centre, 2pm.
Thursday. 20 August
Minibeasts, scorpions and dragons. Pond dipping and minibeast hunting. Meet 2pm at Bruichladdich Pier for onward direction. No unaccompanied children, please. Wear appropriate footwear, and dress for the weather!
Sunday, 23 August
Saligo - geology uncovered. With David Webster - a tale of two oceans. Meet 2pm at the Saligo gate. Please park responsibly.
Walks include around two hours of guided expertise in the field. All welcome. Please dress for the weather. Sorry, no dogs. Suggested donation - adults £5, family £12, INHT members £2.
Thursday, 27 August
Beachcombing, Uiskentuie Strand. A host of shells and beach finds on the strandline. Meet 2pm at parking area west end by turning for Kilchoman. No unaccompanied children, please. Wear appropriate footwear, and dress for the weather!
Thursday, 27 August-Sunday, 30 August
Islay Book Festival. Full list of authors, venues and further details tbc.
First author announced is Douglas Stuart. Born and raised in Glasgow, after graduating from the Royal College of Art, Douglas moved to New York to begin a career in fashion design. Shuggie Bain, Stuart’s first novel, won the Booker Prize and both Debut of the Year and Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. It was also shortlisted for the National Book Award, and in 2025 was selected by The Sunday Times as one of the ‘best novels of the twenty-first century’ as well as one of the ten best Booker winners of all time by the Daily Telegraph. His second novel, Young Mungo, was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. His short stories have appeared in The New Yorker, and ‘Love, Hope & Grit’, the Imagine documentary Douglas made with the late Alan Yentob, is available on the BBC iPlayer. John of John, his latest novel, was published by Picador on 21 May, 2026.
For more information visit the Islay Book Festival website.
Sunday, 30 August
Lily Loch, Keills. Heath, moreland and woodland. the heather is in bloom. Meet 2pm at the parking layby just NE of Caol Ila road end. Walks include around two hours of guided expertise in the field. All welcome. Please dress for the weather. Sorry, no dogs. Suggested donation - adults £5, family £12, INHT members £2.
September 2026
Every Tuesday
Craft fair, Bruichladdich Hall. 10.30am-4.30pm. A fine selection of arts and crafts made on Islay and Jura, offering excellent souvenirs of your visit, or gifts for family and friends.
Nature walks every Sunday
Organised by the Islay Natural History Trust. Learn more at their website.
Friday, 11 September-Sunday 13 September
Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival. Enjoy a range of jazz styles performed on three days across the island. Check out the Islay Jazz Festival/Jazz Scotland website.
Saturday, 12 September
Islay Marathon & Relay. Experience the beauty of the Queen of the Hebrides while running in one of the most scenic marathons in the world!
Starting at 10.30am from Bruichladdich you will run through Bridgend, Bowmore, along the low road, into Port Ellen before heading out and back to Ardbeg along the Three Distilleries path, finishing in Port Ellen. Strictly over 18s.
You can run the whole race or recruit friends, family or colleagues to take part in the Relay (relay members can be 15+; please check entry rules). Enter online at Entry Central. Search: Islay Marathon. You can also download a copy of the 2026 Islay Marathon and Relay brochure here.
Friday, 25 September-Sunday, 27 September
Jura Music Festival. Programme TBC but expect music, dance and performance at this 32nd Jura Music Festival. Here’s more information.
October 2026
Saturday, 3 October-Sunday, 4 October
Oktoberfest at Islay Ales, Glenegedale. Expect beers, music and food at this weekend event at the new Islay Ales brewery and Visitor Centre opposite the airport at Glenegedale. Details here.