Islay and the Whisky Coast Small Group Adventure

Jurys Inn is one of the most centrally positioned hotels in Edinburgh, located just off the famous Royal Mile on Jeffrey Street in the Old Town and surrounded by beautiful architecture. Our hotel in Edinburgh is less than a two-minute walk from Waverly Train Station and a 5-minute walk to Edinburgh Bus Station. Our prime city centre location also means that Jurys Inn guests are a short 15 minute walk from Holyrood Park, which is one of many Edinburgh gems that offers a "unique historic landscape" bursting with heritage and plenty of hills and 'crags' to explore.

Whether you're looking for hotels in Edinburgh for business at the International Conference Centre, or touring Edinburgh Castle and the sights of historic Scotland's capital, our Edinburgh hotel ensures all your destinations are within easy - and always interesting - walking distance.

Day 1 - Edinburgh to Inveraray and Bowmore

Leaving Edinburgh at 8:30am, you will head west to Stirling and into the Highlands with a short stop in the holiday town of Callander for refreshments. After travelling through the mountainous northern part of the Loch Lomond National Park you will arrive in the busy harbour town of Oban. You will have a couple of hours here with the chance to visit the Oban Distillery and sample some local seafood for lunch.

You will then depart Oban mid-afternoon for the journey to Kennacraig to catch the evening ferry to Islay. The sail is just over 2 hours and you should look out for wildlife such as dolphins, whales and seabirds.

On arrival on Islay it is a short drive to Bowmore for your 3 night stay.

Day 2 - Islay

Today is a full day exploring Islay. The itinerary today is quite flexible with a mixture of beautiful scenery, white sand beaches, short walks and of course the famous Islay whiskies - renowned for their strong peaty flavours and nurtured by the salty sea air. In the morning, you will take the short drive to the west of the island via Saligo Bay for a visit to Kilchoman Distillery (the newest and smallest on the island) with the option of a coastal walk to Machair Bay for any non-whisky lovers.

After lunch, you will explore the tiny harbour village of Portnahaven (look out for seals) before taking the back roads along the west coast with its lovely sandy bays. Alternatively - for those who want to visit another distillery we will be able to drop you at Bruichladdich for a tasting and visit to the shop.

In the afternoon, you will have the chance to visit Bowmore distillery or just relax and explore the village.

Overnight in Bowmore.

Day 3 - Islay

Another day in paradise! Today you will explore the southern side of the island, home to the smokiest and peatiest of all whiskies - Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. We will visit Ardbeg for a tour, tasting and lunch. The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy local produce as well as some unique whisky. We follow this up with a visit to Laphroaig and if time allows a short stop for a tasting at Lagavulin. It should also be possible to visit to the ruins of Kildalton church with its famous 8th Century Celtic cross.

Alternatively, we may stop in Bridgend where you could visit the community craft producers at Islay House Square or take a walk through the woods along the nearby River Sorn.

Overnight in Bowmore.

Day 4 - Islay to Argyll, Oban and Edinburgh

This morning, you take the ferry back to the mainland and travel the short distance to Kilmartin Glen where we will have lunch. There are more than 350 prehistoric monuments within a six-mile radius of the village of Kilmartin and you will have the chance to see the mysterious stone circles and standing stones and visit the community museum.

From here, the tour continues round the coast to the beautiful little village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The town is full of historic buildings with old ships in the harbour and a great whisky shop!

Finally, you will return via Loch Lomond to Edinburgh for around 7:30pm and are free to make your onward travel arrangements from here.

Jurys Inn is one of the most centrally positioned hotels in Edinburgh, located just off the famous Royal Mile on Jeffrey Street in the Old Town and surrounded by beautiful architecture. Our hotel in Edinburgh is less than a two-minute walk from Waverly Train Station and a 5-minute walk to Edinburgh Bus Station. Our prime city centre location also means that Jurys Inn guests are a short 15 minute walk from Holyrood Park, which is one of many Edinburgh gems that offers a "unique historic landscape" bursting with heritage and plenty of hills and 'crags' to explore.

Whether you're looking for hotels in Edinburgh for business at the International Conference Centre, or touring Edinburgh Castle and the sights of historic Scotland's capital, our Edinburgh hotel ensures all your destinations are within easy - and always interesting - walking distance.