This tour incorporates the Isle of Jura, Caol Ila, Ardnahoe and Bunnahabhain distilleries. For more information on these distilleries, please click the links on the map or, to find out more on things to see and do in the area, click the link below.

We’ve allowed 4 days for our Jura and Islay Tour, as there are four distilleries. But you could visit two a day if need be – the distilleries are very close to each other. We like to savour every delectable sip though, so we recommend taking your time, absorbing the beauty of the Isles and taking a deep breath away from the hustle of the mainland.

The tour begins with the Jura Distillery, then crosses the water to Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay for the Caol Ila, Ardnahoe and Bunnahabhain distilleries.

Wildlife

The Isle of Jura (‘Jura’ is believed to the be Norse word for ‘deer’) is populated by just over 200 people and a whopping 6,000 deer, meaning a sighting is almost guaranteed. Deer stalking takes place between August and October so stay on the paths or if in doubt stick to the coastline. Deer aren’t the only wildlife however – otters, seals, oystercatchers, hen harriers, golden eagles and more call Jura their home.

Jura deer

The Corryvreckan Whirlpool

The Corryvreckan Whirlpool lies between the Isles of Jura and Scarba and is a phenomenon worth seeing. Boats tour leave from Ardfern Yacht Centre at Lochgilphead or with Islay Sea Adventures from Port Askaig, but you can reach the Whirlpool on foot/bike or by car/foot, find out more, learn about the legend and check out the incredible photos on their dedicated website.

Walking

Jura is a beautiful wilderness – if you enjoy long walks then the Paps of Jura are the three mountains dominating the skyline, or if you’re feeling (very) fit then the Jura Fell Race takes place in May.

Paps Of Jura

Bunnahabhain with the Paps of Jura behind

Jura Music Festival

If you’re thinking of visiting in September, it’s definitely worth tying in your visit with the Jura Music Festival. There are top class musicians playing concerts and running workshops, ceilidhs, open mikes, children’s performances and more.

Feis Ile

The Islay Festival of Music and Malt, Feis Ile is held each year at the end of May. Arranged together with Islay's distilleries, each distillery runs extra events on top of their usual tours, with a day dedicated to each one. This includes an incredible scope of tastings and masterclasses, cooperage demonstrations and bottle filling, hog roasts, smokies and whisky ice creams, arts and crafts, boat trips, carnival floats and games. So get ready for a week of raucous ceilidhs, passionate storytelling, traditional live music, bowling, piping, Gaelic lessons, golf, fly-fishing, fantastic food and, of course, lots and lots of whisky!

Accommodation

On Islay, the Port Askaig Hotel is a family-run hotel overlooking the pier, with stunning views over the Sound of Islay to Jura, and includes their Starboard Restaurant and Port Bar with an extensive selection of Islay Malts. On Jura, Ardlussa House offers Bed & Breakfast as well as self-catering accommodation. Their estate has over a thousand wild red deer and offers salmon and trout fishing from the Lussa River. The Jura Hotel offers a really warm welcome to everyone, including campers if you’d prefer to camp in their field! We like their strapline of ‘So much to do… so little to have to do’, which sums up this beautiful part of the world perfectly – enjoy.

Once you've completed our Jura and Islay Tour, you can continue the whisky bliss on our Discovering Islay Tour.