Getting Here
Planes:
- Loganair operate daily services from Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport to Islay's airport at Glenegedale.
Ferries:
Islay has two ferry terminals , located at Port Askaig and Port Ellen.
- From Kennacraig : CalMac operate a daily vehicle / passenger ferry service all year round to both ports which takes approximately 2 hours from Kennacraig. Early booking is advised if you are bringing a vehicle.
- On Saturdays ( and also Wednesdays in the summer) it is possible to sail from Oban via the lovely island of Colonsay to Port Askaig , which if you get decent weather is a glorious sail.
- (Summer only) Cyclists,hikers and persons travelling without a motor vehicle, but with a sense of adventure and a love of timetables, could also consider taking the Jura passenger ferry ( booking essential) from Tayvallich on the mainland to Craighouse on Jura and then cycling, walking or catching a bus for the eight hilly miles to Feolin , where Argyll and Bute council operate a ferry service to Port Askaig.
- (Summer only) It is also possible to sail direct from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland to Port Ellen in the summer months with the Kintyre Express .
Buses:
- From Glasgow to Kennacraig ferry terminal .
The Glasgow-Campbeltown service from Scottish Citylink stops at the Kennacraig ferry terminal and takes just over 3 hours. Booking in advance is recommended because you can save money! - On Islay: Bus Service 450/451 operated by Islay Coaches(01496 840273).
- On Jura : Bus service 456 operated by Garelochhead Minibus & Coaches Ltd. (01436 810200)
Train:
- Scotrail operate services to Oban is you wish to take the ferry from there.
- It is also possible to take the Caledonian Sleeper service from London to Glasgow or Arrochar and continue your journey to Kennacraig with the Glasgow-Campbeltown Citylink bus ( see above)
By car/bike to Kennacraig:
The journey to Kennacraig can be an adventure in itself if you choose!
- The traditional route from the south would bring you from Glasgow over the Erskine bridge , and then up the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond, round Loch Long at picturesque Arrochar surrounded by its alps, and then up the Rest and Be Thankful, past the stunning Inverary Castle and the charming Inverary itself then continuing up the Long and Winding Road to Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig and Tarbert. This on a half decent day is a stunning drive with many fine spots for a picnic .
But there are some other alternatives, which are popular with cyclists:
- The Arran Route.
Travel to Ardrossan ( served by Scotrail ) , Sail to Brodick on Arran, Drive/Cycle/Hike/Bus 324 to Lochranza ( 14 miles) , Sail to Claonaig , Drive/Cycle/Hike/ Bus 448 ( 5 miles ) to Kennacraig . You can book all 3 ferry sailings together with a Hopscotch 16 ticket from Calmac . - The Cowal Route
Travel to Gourock (also served by Scotrail) and take the Calmac passenger ferry across to Dunoon (or the nearby Hunter's Quay if travelling with a car) . From Dunoon drive/cycle/bus to Portavadie (28 miles). From Portavadie take the Calmac ferry to Tarbert. And from Tarbert, drive/bike/hike/bus( either CityLink 926 or West Coast Motors 448/449) to Kennacraig (5 miles).
- The Cowal and Bute Route
Travel to Wemyss Bay (also served by Scotrail) and take the Calmac ferry to Rothesay on Bute . Drive/Cycle/Hike/Bus to Rhubodach (8 miles) . Take the Calmac ferry to Colintraive. Drive/Cycle/Bus across Cowal peninsula to Portavadie (19 miles) and take the Calmac ferry to Tarbert . From Tarbert Drive/Cycle/Hike/Bus( either CityLink 926 or West Coast Motors 448/449) to Kennacraig (5 miles). You can book the Cowal and Bute sailings together on the Hopscotch 4 ticket from Calmac. The Islay sailing is a separate ticket.