Islay and Jura
Islay and Jura
Islay and Jura
5 Days Starting and ending in Various pick-up points available - please contact us for details
Visiting: Islay, Kennacraig, Kintyre, The Museum of Islay Life, Loch Finlaggan, Bowmore Distillery, Colonsay, Kiloran Bay, Craighouse, Jura, Port Ellen, Inveraray
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BIJA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Please contact Brightwater with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Islay represents the southern extreme of the Inner Hebrides. Once the ancient home of the Lord of the Isles, who ruled the Hebrides from two islets on Loch Finlaggan, Islay has always been popular with archaeologists and historians. Today the island is perhaps better known for its distinctive malt whiskies, its sandy beaches and its diverse birdlife. While we are here we visit the Bowmore Distillery, the oldest distillery on the island, and Loch Gruinart RSPB Nature Reserve where we have the opportunity to hopefully see many bird species.
To the north-east is Islay’s neighbour Jura, an untamed and rather mysterious island with just 200 human inhabitants, dominated by the “Paps of Jura”. The northern end of the island was home to George Orwell, where he wrote his masterpiece “1984”.
Completing our trio of islands we offer an optional excursion to Colonsay, with its glorious beaches and a superb woodland garden, famous for its outstanding collection of rhododendrons.
We are based at the comfortable Port Askaig Hotel, which has a superb location overlooking the harbour. Locally sourced seafood and meat features on the menu and the cosy bar stocks a full range of Islay malts.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Islay, Kennacraig, Kintyre
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Port Askaig Hotel, Islay
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart from our local pick-up points and head for Kintyre in western Argyll, in time to catch the afternoon ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig, Islay. The ferry journey takes just over two hours and refreshments are available on board (not included). On arrival on Islay we transfer (a very short distance) to our comfortable accommodation at the Port Askaig Hotel, which has a superb location overlooking the harbour. All rooms have private facilities.
Dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 2
Location: The Museum of Islay Life, Loch Finlaggan, Bowmore Distillery
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Port Askaig Hotel, Islay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, following breakfast, our first visit will be to Loch Finlaggan, which was once the centre of the ‘Lordship of the Isles’. It was here that the installation of the Lords of the Isles took place, and from where the western seaboard of Scotland was ruled.
Following our visit, we continue to the Bowmore Distillery. This is the oldest distillery on the island and has stood on the shores of Loch Indaal since 1779. Here we will see how this unique whisky is produced by hand, by the Maltman, before maturing in Spanish and American oak casks which give it its unique flavours.
We continue to the Port Charlotte where we will have time for lunch (not included) before visiting the Museum of Islay Life. Finally, today we will visit the Loch Gruinart RSPB Nature Reserve where we will have an introductory talk before having free time to wander around and having the opportunity to see many bird species, including various species of geese, birds of prey and the chough, a rare type of crow.
Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
Day 3
Location: Colonsay, Kiloran Bay, Islay
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Port Askaig Hotel, Islay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following breakfast, you are free to explore Islay at your leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to join the optional excursion to Colonsay (£55). A pleasant sailing of just over an hour takes you north to this tranquil little island which, with just over a hundred permanent residents, is one of the most remote communities in Britain. On arrival we will visit the gardens of Colonsay House. This is a 30-acre informal woodland garden which is famous for its outstanding collection of species and hybrid rhododendrons and for unusual trees and shrubs sourced from all over the world since the 1930s. Later, we will drive over to Kiloran Bay, the most famous of Colonsay’s beaches, a crescent of sand over a mile long with waves rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean.
We will catch the early evening ferry back to Islay and return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 4
Location: Craighouse, Jura
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Port Askaig Hotel, Islay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, after breakfast, we travel to the neighbouring island of Jura, an island which has a record of habitation stretching back over 5000 years. The island, with approximately 200 inhabitants, is 30 miles long and 7 miles wide and is a naturalist’s paradise. It is dominated by the three mountains known as the “Paps of Jura”, the highest being 2576ft. The northern end of the island was home to George Orwell, who wrote his masterpiece 1984 while living here at Barnhill.
We will enjoy a scenic tour before having some free time in Craighouse, a lovely little village and the main settlement on the island with a shop, tearoom, and Jura's distillery.
We return in the afternoon by ferry to Islay. Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
Day 5
Location: Port Ellen, Inveraray, Kennacraig
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, following breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to Islay’s other ferry terminal at Port Ellen, where we catch the morning ferry to Kennacraig on the mainland. We will break our journey at the picturesque village of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne, before returning to our original departure points, where we expect to arrive early to mid-evening.
What's Included
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Services of a professional tour manager
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Accommodation
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
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Meals - as per the itinerary
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Ferry crossings
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Drinks with Meals
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Entrance Fees
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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