Travelling to Islay

[peaty001]

The recent submarine incident on Skye reminded me that there are some difficulties with the ferry travelling to Islay and on to Jura at the moment.
The ferry collided with Port Askaig Pier on 9 October causing damage to both. The ferry timetable is as normal but Cal Mac ferries are travelling to Port Ellen ONLY until repairs are complete. The estimate for repair is 8 weeks or so which could mean into the new year.
The ferry from Port Askaig across the sound to Jura usually runs in sequence with the mainland ferry so if you are travelling across in the near future you might want to check the timetable.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

The Jura ferry is frequent, isn't it? Shouldn't be a problem to make the connection for those wishing to take advantage of the fleshpots of metropolitan Craighouse.

[peaty001]

The crossings are fairly regular throughout the day. Weather dependent and all that.
You would need to factor in the additional 20 miles or so to Port Ellen to meet the ferry so if travelling back to the mainland from Jura by car you would likely need to take an earlier ferry.

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/pdffilesstore/islayjura1

http://www.calmac.co.uk/

[Willie JJ]

A more serious problem is that if the weather conditions are adverse then it can be difficult to get into Port Ellen at all. If both ports are open then its usually possible to get in somewhere but with only PE there are likely to be some aborted attempts to get across.

[armingrewe]

That's why just this week there were a few days with no ferries at all (planes were going though). In addition to the damage at Port Askaig there has also been some (lesser) damage in Port Ellen recently, after which the ferries have been asked to be extra cautious. In other words, with "the wrong kind of wind" no ferries at all, at least until Port Askaig is fixed.

[fishboy]

looks like there might be a few less hotel rooms on Islay this year....

Not only the Machrie has gone into administration, with the loss of 15 jobs
http://biztech.caledonianmercury.com/20 ... istration/

but the Lochside is up for sale

http://www.bellingram.co.uk/properties/show/461

Not a great start to the new year for the Island.

FB

[Willie JJ]

The Machrie is a bit of a problem if it goes into liquidation, but while it's in administration it will probably operate normally when the season kicks off. The Lochside has been up for sale for months and is unlikely to attract a buyer at that price imo. The White Hart, the Lochindaal and the Jura Hotel have also been on the market recently and as far as I am aware have failed to sell. Highland and island hotels tend to operate normally while they are on the market. If they didn't there would probably be nowhere to stay (and the owners would go bankrupt waiting for the sale), because it always seems to me that most of these hotels are on the market, most of the time.

[DavidUK]

looks like there might be a few less hotel rooms on Islay this year....

Not only the Machrie has gone into administration, with the loss of 15 jobs
http://biztech.caledonianmercury.com/20 ... istration/

but the Lochside is up for sale

http://www.bellingram.co.uk/properties/show/461

Not a great start to the new year for the Island.

FB

The Machrie's prices are far too high, which is why they have financial problems, ie not enough customers

[fishboy]

I agree with respect to the Lochside - It will undoubtedly continue to trade normally until a buyer is found (£750,000 asking price on a declared turnover of £650,000 sounds steep to me too). I didn't realise it had been on the market for ages - I only came across it yesterday. Apologies.

However, whilst the golf course continues to operate as normal, the Machrie hotel and lodges have been closed by the administrator, and that is a lot of beds lost - even if they were overpriced and in need of an bit of an upgrade.
To be honest, even though my family and I visit the island most years, we hadn't been to the Machrie for a meal for ages. Too expensive for what you get IMHO - still I sympathise with the staff laid off just before Christmas.

FB

[Mr Tattie Heid]

The problem, I should think, is the short season. The hotels and distilleries should put their heads together and come up with some off-season events to draw visitors. Maybe they could dress up as Vikings and burn a longship or something.

[olikli]

The problem, I should think, is the short season. The hotels and distilleries should put their heads together and come up with some off-season events to draw visitors. Maybe they could dress up as Vikings and burn a longship or something.

First-Footing distilleries on hogmanay should be fun

[Willie JJ]

However, whilst the golf course continues to operate as normal, the Machrie hotel and lodges have been closed by the administrator, and that is a lot of beds lost

I understand that, but the job of the administrator is to minimise the damage so if they are still in charge when the season comes along it is likely that they will hire some staff and reopen the rooms as they will contriibute to the revenues at that point. They have probably closed them just now because there is not enough business at this time of year.

[olikli]

I guess the problem with the Machrie is that the rest of Islay isn't really a luxury environment, so it may be pretty hard to convine the rich and famous to come there. You have a top class hotel and a top class golf course, but what else is there? Hikers, bird watchers, groups of Swedish maltheads touring the distilleries, farmers driving around with their tractors, sheep and cows. Try getting a decent dinner in a 10 mile radius around Port Ellen.

Islay is a lovable place for those who don't need five star amenities. But the Machrie somehow felt out of place when I visited the island.

[MacDeffe]

Maybe my experience is a little out of date, but when I visited Islay in 2001 we went by Machrie's for a dinner. I don't remember it for being good, nor bad either, but my standing memory was a place I probably wouldn't visit again (It's a bit of the road)

I don't feel it's in the same league as Port Charlotte Hotel just to name an example

Steffen

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Agreed...last time I was in Islay, I popped into the Machrie, thinking to have dinner, never having set foot in the place before. I had a pint and left--it wasn't what I was expecting. Not having actually eaten or stayed there, I suppose I oughtn't judge, but my impression was that it couldn't hold a candle to the PC. A hotel in that position needs to be a draw in itself, and I don't think the Machrie is quite up to snuff.

[armingrewe]

I guess the problem with the Machrie is that the rest of Islay isn't really a luxury environment, so it may be pretty hard to convine the rich and famous to come there. You have a top class hotel and a top class golf course, but what else is there? Hikers, bird watchers, groups of Swedish maltheads touring the distilleries, farmers driving around with their tractors, sheep and cows.

I think you forget something: Hunting/stalking.

There are quite a few very rich and famous people visiting Islay and/or Jura quite regularly. David Cameron has been to Jura a couple of times as far as I know, even if some of this has been for family reasons. Margaret Thatcher visited Islay a couple of times when she was PM, I think as a guest of Baron Schroeder at Dunlossit. The friends and family of the various estate owners not to forget either.

Generally most of them probably don't stay in a hotel though, but in the various privately owned lodges on both Islay and Jura. I suspect some of them will be quite luxurious.

[armingrewe]

looks like there might be a few less hotel rooms on Islay this year....

Not necessarily. Even though The Machrie might be closed for now I should think The Islay in Port Ellen should finally open some time this year. That should add quite a few high quality rooms again. I don't know Roland's detailed plans, but I would think he's going to push quite hard for at least a partial opening by latest the summer.

but the Lochside is up for sale

I've been told it's been on the market for quite some time, until it is sold it should be business as normal.

[Gordon_H]

I've only ever stayed in the Machrie once ( Late Nov 2003) The room was quite luxurious but the food was just ok .
I heard off a friend on islay that the Islay Hotel is hoping to open late June this year but from what i seen it might be a struggle , bear in mind it was said in the 2003 Momentous Minutes it would open 2005 !
One surprise on our departure was the Port Askaig Hotel , they are in the middle of Revites and i was shocked to see an absolutely stunning Dining Room ! The Snug and Port Bar haven't been touched yet but when i was talking to Ron of Islayinfo he was in taking some photographs of the new revitalised bedrooms at the end of last year as he's doing them a new website and he says they are fantastic .
If you're wanting luxury , as well as the Port Charlotte Hotel , there's the Harbour Inn in Bowmore and An Taigh Osda in Bruichladdich , Personally i'd rather have a decent cottage with a fantastic view and an open fire .

Regarding Islay not really being a Luxury Environment , long may it remain that way !
BTW Ron has photos or the interior of the new ferry now up on his site , looks nice !
http://blog.islayinfo.com/article.php/interior-pictures-finlaggan-ferry

Just remember at the Moment Port Ellen Ferry terminal is closed due to rebuilding and all the ferries are going to Port Askaig at the moment .

[solera]

Very excited.

Just booked a weekend in Islay in September - staying at the Lambsley B&B in Bowmore - anybody out there stayed there before?

[Gordon_H]

Which weekend in September are you over Solera ?

[solera]

Which weekend in September are you over Solera ?

First weekend.

[Gordon_H]

Bugger ! We go over the weekend after for two weeks , would've been nice to meet up for a dram !

[solera]

Bugger ! We go over the weekend after for two weeks , would've been nice to meet up for a dram !

Would have enjoyed that.

Borrowing from your vast experience one question - we've 2 full days there - best distillery tours? PM me if you don't want to upset anyone!!

[Mr Tattie Heid]

I was going to say you'll be limited on the weekend--the last time I was there, only Bruichladdich was open for tours on Saturday. But I see in the latest tour leaflet that there is considerably more choice now. (The fact that I'm always there in October might have something to do with it, too.)

[MacDeffe]

Finlaggan sailed from Poland to Scotland

I saw some photos floating around on facebook, someone had the great idea of of taking some photos when it passed under the Øresunds-bridge

Stef