Visit the home of Bowmore
Islay may be a little off the beaten track, but it's well worth a visit.
With its breathtaking scenery, spectacular wildlife, welcoming locals (known as Ileachs) and no fewer than eight distilleries, Islay is a place unlike any other and a mecca for whisky lovers.
Bowmore itself is home to almost one third of the island's population. Besides the distillery, it's known for its whitewashed houses, tiny, stone-built harbour and pier, and the iconic Bowmore Round Church, which sits at the top of Main Street, commanding impressive views over the village, Loch Indaal and beyond.
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Distillery Tour
Visiting Islay? No trip to this island famous for its whisky would be complete without a tour of Islay's first distillery. Our award-winning Visitor Centre is open all year round and the tours, like our whisky, are world-renowned. After all, no one knows more about our celebrated Single Malt than the people who make it
Craftmans' Tour
Our Craftsman's Tour is designed for the true Single Malt enthusiast. This journey of discovery includes a visit to the inner sanctum - Bowmore's legendary No. 1 Vaults - where you'll be able to savour some very special Bowmore indeed.
According to The Malt Advocate: "There is no better tour - comprehensive, visually arresting, and well-planned, delivered with wit and nuggets of local knowledge - one gets the feeling that the tour has been specifically tailored just for you. A final treat is nosing the 'angels' share' in the traditional warehouse - little wonder that the Queen has had a cask here since 1980."
These tours are available Monday - Thursday and cost £45.00 per adult. Please be sure to book your Craftsman's Tour in advance by calling the distillery on +44 (0)1496 810671.
Tour Times
Easter - June
Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm; Tours 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pmBowmore Tasting Session; Monday - Friday; 12.15July, August & SeptemberMonday - Saturday 9am - 5pm; Tours 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pmSunday 12pm - 4pm; Tours 1pm and 2pm
Bowmore Tasting Session; Monday - Friday; 12.15
October 2013 - Easter 2014
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm; Tours 10.30am and 3pmSaturday 9am - 12pm; Tour 10am
Bowmore Tasting Session; Monday - Friday; 12.15Tours - £6 per personBowmore Tasting Session - £15 per personWe also offer private tours (subject to availability) - £10 per personCraftman's Tours £45 per person - Available Monday - Thursday when distillery is in production by prior appointment.There's no charge for under-18s. Facilities include toilets and ramped walkways for wheelchair-users. We also have car parking and toilets for the disabled.If you'd like to book a tour, please call our Visitor Centre on +44 (0)1496 810671 or email bowmore.distillery@morrisonbowmore.co.uk
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Find Us
Islay may be a little off the beaten track for most, but that's part of its unique appeal. Follow the directions below to our island home.
By road and ferry
From Glasgow, follow signs for Loch Lomond, A82. Glasgow to Tarbet, Loch Lomond A82 approx. 35 miles, Tarbet to Inveraray Loch Fyne A83 approx. 22 miles, Inveraray to Lochgilphead A83 approx. 23 miles, Lochgilphead to Tarbert Loch Fyne A83 approx. 13 miles, Tarbert to Kennacraig West Loch Tarbert approx. 6 miles.
Caledonian MacBrayne operates a two-hour ferry crossing from Kennacraig on the Kintyre Peninsula to Islay. For further information, visit www.calmac.co.uk or call +44 (0)1880 730 253.
By air
Flybe operates a 35 minute scheduled flight twice daily, Monday to Friday and once on a Saturday from Glasgow Airport. For further information, visit www.flybe.com or call 0871 700 2000 or +44 (0)1392 268529 from outside the UK.
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Bowmore Cottages
Come and experience the very best of Islay.
A Bowmore lover's dream and the perfect base from which to explore Islay, Bowmore Distillery Cottages are available all year round as holiday lets. Individually decorated and renovated to 4* VisitScotland standard, all six cottages lie within a stone's throw of the distillery in the heart of Islay's picturesque capital, Bowmore.
Accommodation is provided for two to 14 people, ranging from cosy cottages for couples to larger properties suitable for groups of family and friends. Guests are treated to a complimentary tour of the distillery and greeted by a bottle of Bowmore 12 Years Old, providing the warmest of Islay welcomes.
For further information on Bowmore Distillery Cottages, visit www.bowmorecottages.com
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Islay Stories
Here you'll find our stories of Islay, along with your tales from our magical island.
2014 cottage booking and special offers
We have just opened our cottage diary for 2014 bookings in our Bowmore distillery cottages.Ship Ahoy!
So it is the start of 2013 and already a busy year is planned! After such a nice break over the holiday period, it is great to be back into the swing of things. It all started this past weekend on the Viking Line Cinderella Whisky Cruise in Sweden.2012, a big year!
Well, I think I have done my last trip of the year and what a year it has been! 98 flights, 120 nights in hotel but all in all a fantastic year of activity! 2012 consisted of a visit to a total of 14 European countries and attending a variety of events with the Bowmore range. Newer developing ma...Silly Season .... too right!
So it is the run up to Christmas but it is the time for Whisky Shows, lots of them! I have two more of this season to go finishing up in Zurich on 2nd December with Whisky Schiff and this weekend coming, Interwhisky in Frankfurt. Last weekend we were at two Whisky Shows, Glasgow Whisky Festival...October Phew!
Well it has been a crazy month of travel around Europe incorporating some seven or so countries on the way! We all know that this time of year is hectic but it is still great fun to get out there and talk a lot about our brands! Bowmore does have such and affinity with people and when you giver t...A momentus month at Bowmore
Well September really has been a month like no other for Bowmore.The Legend of the Sea Dragon
Legend has it that the greatest Scottish warrior of all, Fionn mac Cumhaill - also known as Fingal (as in the famous Fingal's Cave) - was walking across Islay with his two massive hounds, Bran and Seeolang. Fionn, who was possessed of supernatural powers and superhuman strength, hoisted a large s...Extraordinary Islay too!
After our wonderful tour at the distillery we went on a boat trip around the Sound of Islay eventually ending up in Jura for a magnificent lunch at the Jura Hotel.Islay - as good as ever!
So last week was Islay time and it did not fail to dissapoint as ever. A few days on Islay seem like a week and it was great to spend time in and around the distillery.Ahh Islay!
So, I am off to Islay tomorrow to work for a few days and this is something to seriously look forward to. If you have been to Islay then you will undoubtedly know where I am coming from!Want to join the debate?
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