Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 01496-302244; mains £5-10; 10am-4pm daily Jun-Aug, Mon-Fri only Sep-Jun,
lunch served from noon) Housed in the former malting kiln at Ardbeg Distillery, this well-
run cafe serves hearty homemade soups, tasty light meals (try a panini sandwich with hag-
gis and apple chutney, or a platter of smoked Islay beef, venison and pastrami); and a
range of home-baked desserts, including traditional clootie dumpling (a rich steamed pud-
ding filled with currants and raisins) with ice cream.
BOWMORE
The attractive Georgian village of Bowmore was built in 1768 to replace the village of
Kil-arrow, which just had to go - it was spoiling the view from the laird's house. Its
centrepiece is the distinctive Round Church at the top of Main St, built in circular form
to ensure that the devil had no corners to hide in.
Bowmore Distillery ( 01496-810671; www.bowmore.co.uk ; School St; tours adult/
child £6/free; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to noon Sat, plus 9am-5pm Sat Easter−mid-Sep &
noon-4pm Sun Jul−mid-Sep) is the only distillery on the island that still malts its own bar-
ley. The standard tour (check website for times) includes a look at (and taste of) the ger-
minating grain laid out in golden billows on the floor of the malting shed, and a free dram
at the end; the two-hour Craftsman's Tour (£45 per person, book in advance) offers a more
in-depth look at the process, and a chance to taste some rare bottlings.
Islay House Square , a collection of craft shops and studios 3 miles northeast of Bow-
more at Bridgend, is home to Islay Ales ( www.islayales.com ; 10.30am-5pm Mon-Sat) ,
a microbrewery that produces a range of real ales, all bottled by hand. After a compli-
mentary tour of the premises, you can taste the ales for free, and buy a bottle or two to
drink outdoors or back home (the brewery doesn't have a bar licence). Our favourite is Sa-
ligo Ale, a refreshing, summery pale ale.
Sleeping & Eating
INN
Harbour Inn£££
( 01496-810330; www.harbour-inn.com ; The Square; s/d from £100/135; ) The
plush seven-room Harbour Inn, smartly decorated with a nautical theme, is the poshest
place in town. The restaurant (mains £18 to £25, open for lunch and dinner) has harbour
views and serves fresh local oysters, lobster and scallops, Islay lamb and Jura venison.
Lambeth House££
B&B
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