Islay
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Islay (pronounced ; in Gaelic Ìle ) is a Scottish island, the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides. It lies just to the south of Jura. The island's capital is Bowmore, while other settlements include Port Ellen. The population of Islay is just over 3000 inhabitants. Transport to the island is by air from Glasgow or from the ferry port of Kennacraig on the Scottish mainland (two and a half hours).
It has a total area of just over 600 square kilometres. Its main industries are single malt whisky distilling and tourism largely based on whisky and bird watching.
The climate on Islay is often more clement that the Scottish mainland owing to the Gulf Stream.
The island is home to many bird species and is a popular destination throughout the year with bird watchers, notably in February to see a large colony of barnacle geese. Other bird visitors to the island include; chough, hen harrier, oystercatcher, cormorant and many wading birds.
Whisky is currently produced by seven of the island's eight distilleries and is known as Islay malt whisky. No blending is done on the island. Its eighth distillery, Kilchoman, was officially opened as recently as June 2005 and is Scotland's youngest distillery.
The distilleries on the south of the island produce whiskies with a very strong peaty flavour. Going east to west they are: Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. (Ardbeg and Laphroig being considered to be among the most intensely flavoured of all whiskies). On the north of the island Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila are produced. These whiskies are substantially lighter in taste. There were more distilleries in the past: Port Ellen closed in 1983 while the Lochindaal in Port Charlotte closed as long ago as 1929.
Several easy island trips can be accommodated from Islay to the islands of Jura and Colonsay.
Many people consider Islay to be one of Scotland's most beautiful islands as well as its least discovered.
Islay's most famous son of recent times is George Robertson, the former secretary-general of NATO and former British Defence Secretary.
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