This year Unexplored Scotland has been sea kayaking on Islay for the first time. The original plan was to circumnavigate the island and tick off some of the whisky distilleries on the way. The trip would have been a challenge with good weather but unfortunately, that was not to be. After 3 glorious days of good weather, whisky distilleries at the shore and some wildlife the weather has turned. Force 5-6 meant that we had to put in a 3-day break and do the cultural thing on the island and visit Finlaggan, the capital of the Lord of the Isles, an archaeological excavation at Lagavulin and amongst other things.
On our last day we still managed to paddle around Loch Indaal to finish off a memorable trip on the exposed Island. Some of the highlights were the many seals and the best bothy (including an honesty library) I have ever stayed in.
Sea Kayaks at Port Charlotte Rubh’an Diun Lighthouse Port Charlotte Bowmore Distillery Bruichdaddich Distillery Beach at Port Charlotte Pizza Dinner Peatzeria Archaeological excavation at Dunyvaig Castle Wild weather at Portnahaven Finlaggan Caol Ila Distillery Seals Inside An Cladach Bothy An Cladach Bothy MacArthur’s Point Seals Camping near Claggain Bay Seals on rock Eilean Mhic Mhaolmhoire Dunyvaig Castle Swan Lagavulin Distillery Laphroaig Distillery Ardbeg Distillery