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Sailing & Flight Info

There are two ways to get to Islay: boat and plane.

We are please to report that Logan Air flights from Glasgow International to Islay Airport are now available  at £68.95 return.  This 'yield management' of fares is a welcome  development for  people who book in advance and avoid the  busy periods either side of a week end. The next available fare is about  £89 return, with  the maximum return fare from the Glasgow  still a mind-numbing £155

These welcome developments will considerable ease the cost of travel to and from Islay, as well as make alternative travel options available, particularly using low cost Ryanair's European network to London Stanstead, Milan Bergamo, Paris Beauvais, Stockholm Skavsta, Bournemouth,  Gerona, Gothenburg, Oslo, Dublin, Barcelona,  Brussels, and  Frankfurt.

The Islay Airport has now been expanded, losing a little of its charm one  could say, to accommodate security  procedures.

Plane

British Airways run the 30 minute flight from Glasgow, using a Shorts 30 seat aircraft.

Monday to Friday they leave early morning and late afternoon, on a Saturday early morning and no flights on a Sunday.

Currently the timetable is:

You may download the BA timetable here

Islay Airport: Tel/Fax +44(0)1496 302022 British Airways Reservations: Tel +44(0)1418871111

The winter timetable can change, so please check. Weekend services differ. Luggage space can be limited at weekends Luggage cannot be checked in for onward flights morning connecting flights from London are tight - but doable. Please Click here to check the exact times with British Airways directly.

Highland Airways (Inverness) Tel: 01667 462664 info@highlandairways.co.uk

Air Charter Scotland Ltd (Edinburgh) Tel: 01355 590 300 info@aircharterscotland.com

Helicopter
Arran Heli-Tours operate a scenic tour of  Islay/Jura for 2/3 people as well as a  collection service from Glasgow. What a great way to see the sensational coastline of these islands!
phone +44 1770 860 526
fax +44 1770860526
email: neil@arranhelitours.fsnet.co.uk

Car Ferry service - The journey from Glasgow to the ferry terminal of Kennacraig takes approximately 3 hours.  The ferry journey takes 2 and a 1/2 hours, there are in Summer, three sailings per day – except Sunday and Wednesday.

Bus Services - Citilink Glasgow to Islay Bus Service  http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables.htm select Glasgow/Cambeltown route, getting off at Kennacriag Ferry terminal, leaving Glasgow at 9.00am and arriving  in time for the ferry crossing at 1.00pm

This Roll on Roll Off service is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, and must be booked in advance if bringing a car to Islay. There are 2 ports on Islay: Port Ellen & Port Askaig.

Car Ferry Reservations

Tel: +44 (0)8705 650000 Fax: +44 (0)1475 635235  By E-mail

Click here to check the exact times with Caledonian MacBrayne

Click here for directions on how to get from Glasgow to Islay ferry terminal.

Click here for a basic ferry timetable.

Kevin Byrne's Lorn Ferry Service  http://www.colonsay.org.uk/boat/4ferry.html 01951 200320 operates a summer only, foot passenger service between Loch Tartbert, Jura; Port Askaig, Islay; Scalasaig, Colonsay; and Uisken, Mull.  This private service, usuing the remoter  landing places, allows the fitter visitor  to see some  splendid, otherwise inaccessible sights.  It also allows for a conveniant link between Islay, Colonsay directly to Mull - with out having to go via the longer and more expensive Oban route.

Sailing is The best way to arrive on Islay. The most beautiful, dramatic, wild scenery imaginable. With exceptional clarity and purity of light, magnificent views are all around.  Challenging waters include the largest whirlpool in the northern hemisphere - the Corryvrechan.

Yacht charter can be organised by Crinan Boat Yard, click  http://www.crinanboatyard.co.uk

Mike Murray of Gemini Boat Cruises, based on the mainland at picturesque Crinan, opposite the top end of Jura  operates a sea taxi service to Jura, as well as sight seeing. http://www.gemini-crinan.co.uk/
 

Coach - Citilink Glasgow to Islay Bus Service  http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables.htm select Glasgow/Cambeltown route, getting off at Kennacriag Ferry terminal, leaving Glasgow at 9.00am and arriving  in time for the ferry crossing at 1.00pm

Public Transport

Islay Tourist Office telephone number is +44 (0) 1496 810254.
Islay Coaches - 01496 840 273 Islay Timetable:

http://www.islay-jura.com/travel/road/bus_index.asp
http://www.islay-jura.com/travel/road/islay_ab1.asp

Islay Tourist Office telephone number is +44 (0) 1496 810254.