Travel to Islay
How to get here by car
From Glasgow, it takes around 3 hours to reach Kennacraig on the Mull on Kintyre. From Glasgow take the A82 up alongside Loch Lommond. Bear left at Tarbet on to the A83, and follow on through Inverary, Lochgilphead and Tarbet. Kennacraig is about 5 miles South of Tarbert
Simlilarly, it takes around the same time from Stirling. From Stirling, the most direct route is by taking the A811 through to Alexandria and then turn North on to the A82 and follow the directions as above. A more scenic route from Stirling is by taking A84 through Callendar, then the A85 and A82 to Tyndrum, followed by the A85 through to Dalmally. From Dalmally take the A819 to Inverary and then follow the A83 to Lochgilphead and Tarbert and then Kennacraig. This second option is slightly longer and so allow a bit more time for it.
From Oban take the A816 down to Lochgilphead and then the A83 to Tarbert and Kennacraig, allow 1.5 hours for this journey.
By Car Ferry:
From Kennacraig on the Kintyre Peninsula. Ferry Operator is Caledonian MacBrayne (telephone 01475 650100 or (daytime) contact our local island office on (01496) 302209 (fax: (01496) 302557). The crossing to Islay takes about two hours through sheltered waters. Timetable guides to Islay is 0700, 0945, 1250 and also 1800. From Islay approx. 0700, 0945, 1530 and 1800. Summer sailings may vary, check timetable with ferry operator on www.calmac.co.uk. Wednesday summer sailings including a day trip to Colonsay and back to Islay.
By Air:
From Glasgow via Flybe - Check timetables www.flybe.com
Car Hire: If you are travelling by air and would like to hire a car contact D&J McKenzie, telephone 01496 302300.
Islay Car Hire Cars are also available for hire from Islay Car Hire (01496 810 544)
Bike Hire: Bikes may be hired from Port Charlotte Bike Hire on 01496 850 488.
Location of Kilchoman Cottages
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Whether you are approaching from Port Ellen or Port Askaig, head for Bridgend. On the outskirts take A847 for Port Charlotte and Portnahaven.
5 miles after leaving Bridgend, Sanaigmore and Kilchoman are sign posted to the right (B8108). (This is before Bruichladdich)
Proceed straight on approximately a 10 minute drive. About 0.5 mile after the entrance to Rockside Farm Trekking Centre, and the Kilchoman Distillery, turn left past the row of former Coastguard houses.
Carry on up to the top of the hill and just past the ruin of Kilchoman Church, you will find the main gates.
Proceed across the cattle grid and come down to Kilchoman House at the foot of the drive where we will be waiting to meet you on your arrival and show you to your cottage.
Kilchoman House Cottage are situated within their own grounds on the West coast of Islay, close to a mile long sandy beach. The cottages are surrounded by farmland and approached through the famous Machir on fully tarmac roads.
Next door at Rockside Farm is Kilchoman Distillery and its visitors' centre and café, along with Rockside Trekking Centre and Islay Fine Foods Farm shop. Kilchoman House Cottages are an ideal base for bird watching, walking, cycling, fishing in the local lochs, or better still, just relaxing and doing nothing!
The cottages are around 8 miles from the nearest shops in either Bridgend or Bruichladdich. There are banks with cash dispensers in both Bowmore and Port Ellen, along with Co-op stores and butchers in both villages.
For those of you wish to eat out and sample some of the local produce there are hotels and pubs in most of the local villages. Islay has its own resident doctors, local hospital and dentist.
Lossit, Machir, Saligo and Sanaig cottages all sleep up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms, while Fieldgate and Shepherd's cottage can sleep up to 6 in 3 bedrooms.
Ian & Margaret Brooke
Kilchoman House, Kilchoman, Isle of Islay, PA49 7UY
Tel No 01496 850 382
email: ian@islaycottages.com
