A Postcard from Islay.
 
No need to go abroad to have a wonderful holiday just get in the car fill the tank up and off you go, Scotland, a land of such beauty it takes your breath away, mountains, glens, lochs, forests and once past Glasgow the traffic just seems to disappear. (which pleases my old Opel)
Seems Like A Nice Girl
After a few Tots your eyes go
Typical Road Signs
Colonsay in the Distance
A nice walk
I have a few favourite places but I think top of the list is off the west coast, the Isle of Islay, the whisky Isle, seven old distilleries, one pretty new one Kilcomen & Port Ellen has started once again to produce small amounts, so shall we say nine for good measure. (there’s a joke there somewhere)
One of the Locals
Just one Missing
Laphroaig
Off with our presentation “Wellies”
Our New House
How do we get there from Manchester, simple really M60, M61 on to M6 keep on going passed Gretna Green then on to the A74 (M), towards Glasgow, next it’s the M8 looking for the Erskine Bridge over the Clyde, go over that and on towards Dumbarton, now the traffic really starts to thin out and what a pleasure that is. Pass along side Loch Lomond, on reaching Tarbet it’s left towards Cambletown, the scenery is absolutely wonderful, deep cold lochs, imposing black granite hillsides, rolling fields complete with wild deer running around and lots of Scottish Pine forests. Eventually the famous old town of Inverary comes up complete with its castle and Jail which are both open to the public, a good place to have a rest, maybe a bite to eat and not to be missed a visit to the Loch Fyne Whisky Shop, an hour or two should cover it. (It’s like Aladdin’s Cave) 
A Tot at Caol ILa
John with Island Legend Wee Willie
Caol ILa
Views of Festival Day at Bruchladdie
John Austin & Distillery Owner
Off again still heading towards Cambletown on the Kintyre peninsular which was once a major whisky producer, it boasted over thirty distilleries, claiming itself to be the “Whisky Capital of the World”, how time changes everything, (including lost jobs) now only three left, Springbank, Glengoyle and Glen Scotia. The next really nice place is Tarbert, lots of small craft of all kinds including sometimes small Royal Navy boats/ships. Leave Tarbert and in no time at all you arrive at Kennacraig where the Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry awaits you for the trip to Islay. Hence you never actually ever make it to Campbelltown!!   
We made it
Isn’t this nice
Paps of Jura
Ready to build our new house
Ahoy There
Trendy
The old Schoolhouse
Views of Bladnoch Lowland Distillery
The ferry sets off up an inland sea loch on its journey, if it’s early morning an excellent breakfast is served up as you watch the land past bye then sit back and relax for the two hour crossing to one of two ports on the island, Port Ellen the main docking area or Port Askaig, which is by far the best approach to the Island as it sails up the fast moving currents of the Sound of Jura between the two islands with its stunning views of the “Paps of Jura” itself another famous whisky Isle. Before I forget to mention it at the Jura Distillery there are palm trees growing they tell me it’s something to do with the Gulf Stream which passes by there along with its weather.
Try One
Chapter at Bowmore
Round Church at Bowmore
Jura Ferry fights against the Tide
Askaig Hotel
On my first visit to Jura with my good friend John from Holmfirth and our wives I’ll never forget that once we got off the ferry which takes you from Askaig to Jura in what isn’t more than a large tank landing craft, I was driving and John who never goes anywhere without having his Tom Tom on, (even to come to Urmston after 20 years) said to me “oohh  I’m not sure this is the right road”, then “this doesn’t look right”, I let him ramble on a bit before I said, “John there is only one road on Jura”!!  A special place at the top of Jura are the Whirlpools of Corryvreckan, classified by the Royal Navy as unnavigable !!  George Orwell stayed on Jura in 1947 to get away from London so as to finish writing his book 1984,   whilst there he along with a small party of friends hired a small boat for some sea air, unfortunately the outboard motor fell off and they were in dire straits, they managed to get to an outcrop called Eilean Mor and on jumping from the boat it capsized, they were lucky in the end to be rescued by some Lobster fishermen who spotted a fire that had been lit for the survivors to keep warm.
The Port
Deer Everywhere
Whisky from Kilchoman
The Navy
Typical Stills
Now then back to Islay, the people are very friendly, on my first visit I found that every vehicle on its approach the driver would wave to me, I kept wondering do they think I’m somebody else, but no it’s just a tradition all the islanders do it as second nature and when your there you do exactly the same. Most roads are good quality single track with passing points, again it always seems to be the vehicle coming towards you with locals on board which pulls in to let you pass. Lots of things to do and see on the island including visits to all the distilleries which are open to the public, complete with a wee tot at each one, the round church in Bowmore which was made circular so as they say “The Devil can’t hide in the Corners” and the seals sun bathing on the rocks at Port Charlotte for instance. Lots of good places to dine out or go for a quiet drink or a loud one which can sometimes happen spontaneously when a fiddler, accordion player and McTavish with his guitar just happen to turn up.
The Whisky Safe
Sleeping Whisky
Private Whisky
One of the best times to visit is during the Festival week in June every year when each distillery has an open day complete with entertainment of many different types, my favourite choice of the amber nectar is Laphroaig and when you join “The Friends” you get the title to your own plot of land, (1 square foot) during the Festival we placed our own little house on our own plot, brilliant.
Ferry going up the sound of Jura
The Paps of Jura
Port Askaig & Jura Ferry
I think that’s enough from me let the pictures do the talking, if you’ve never ventured up into Scotland put it on your list of things to do and add a ferry trip to Islay as a must do, just a quick mention whilst your there take the ferry from Askaig to Colonsay and its sister island Oronsay, there you will surely find peace and quiet and one of the finest white sand beaches you will see anywhere in the world, can’t say the sea was quite as warm as the Med though.
Paps of Jura
Islay to Jura Ferry
This way to Colonsay
On closing as I always say here’s looking forward to my next Mark Meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet, Not a member of the Royal Ark Mariners yet, now’s the time come and join us..


Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher - Grand Steward
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173