Islay

Getting around by public transport

Travelling by bus.

Bus 450 runs from Portnahaven in the west through Port Charlotte and Bridgend to Bowmore. Bus 451 runs from Port Askaig in the east through Bridgend and Bowmore to Port Ellen, with one of the services continuing to Ardberg. Both of these buses basically run three times daily, and the main purpose is as a school bus so the times are not necessarily that convenient. The last buses start at around 5pm and have arrived before 6, so be sure to plan your day before you leave. The timetable is widely available on the island, or can be got in advance from the website of Argyll and Bute Council, or from Traveline Scotland.

Getting around by car

Roads on the island are more adequate than good as such. Three main roads connect all the major settlements, and these are pretty much two-lane all the way although they are a little bumpy. Pretty much all the other roads are single track and have more in common with a roller-coaster than a road as such. That said there is hardly a lot of traffic to disrupt your journey. Having a car on Islay will make life easier, since the public transport network and local facilities are pretty poor, but it does cost over 70 pounds return to take a small car on the ferry, so it may be beyond the means of budget travellers.

If you take a car over, make sure you check it is in working order before you go, since breakdown assistance could prove to be a problem. If you are going to break down try to do it next to a mechanic's house.