The cottage has no immediate neighbours and is on raised ground close to the Ballygrant Burn. From there you can walk north up a farm track towards Loch Finlaggan with the distant Paps of Jura and the Sound of Islay in the background. Or, leaving the garden via the stile, walk south over hill farm land, up and out onto the moors. You are likely to have the landscape completely to yourself. Alternatively you can simply bird watch from the kitchen window where you will easily spot geese, hawks, lapwings, herons and many more.
View from the kitchen
Further afield, but easily reached by car or bike, from this central location, you can enjoy Islay’s diverse landscape. The shoreline consists of sandy beaches, shallow sea lochs, shingle shores and spectacular cliffs. Inland there are ancient birch and hazel woods studded in spring with primroses, bluebells and orchids.
Activities for you to enjoy in Islay include golfing, hill and beach walking, cycling, fishing, diving, bird watching, distillery visiting.
Interesting visits can be made to The Museum of Islay Life, The Islay Wool Mill, The RSPB at Loch Gruinart, The Outback Gallery, The Natural History Trust Visitor Centre, The Finlaggan Centre.
For a complete change of scene you can make a day visit to Colonsay or Jura. The cottage is on the local bus route.
How to get here
Logan Air operates daily flights from Glasgow to Glenegedale airport near Port Ellen. Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) operates the Islay Ferry service between Kennacraig and Islay. For more travel info, car hire, bus services and taxis please visit the Islay Info travel section
Eating Out
There is a wide selection of restaurants, cafes, visitor centres and pubs to choose from. Find all the phone numbers in the local ‘Phoney Book’ in the cottage or on this page. Booking during busy times is recommended.
Eating In
The main supermarket is in Bowmore with other smaller general stores in most of the villages.
Local seafood can be sourced from The Seafood Shack. Locally grown oysters are available from Craigens Farm, Gruinart 01496 850256
Islay is a vibrant community whose main activities are farming, distilling and tourism. You will be warmly welcomed in the shops, restaurants and visitor centres. Meet the islanders while enjoying traditional music and Gaelic culture at social gatherings that occur throughout the year. Information is available in the ‘Ileach’ the island’s own newspaper or from the Islayinfo website
Kildalton Cross
