The Wild Spirit Gourmet Experience invites you to sample the finest, freshest produce from the landscape and shores of Islay.
How would you like to organise your trip?
Travelling independently?
Click here to book your Wild Spirit Experience with
Scotia Travel
Travelling as part of a group or self-drive?
Click here to book your Wild Spirit Experience with
Wild Green Travel
Prefer to book all elements of your trip yourself?
Read on for ‘your guide to going it alone’
Discover Islay and uncover the ‘Wild Spirit’ in you…
Wild Spirit Gourmet Experience
Discover Islay, ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’ with this unforgettable 4-night break.
The ‘Wild Spirit Gourmet Experience’ invites you to sample the finest, freshest produce from the landscape and shores of Islay.
You can book all elements of the trip directly with your transport and accommodation providers by using the information below. You will find more information about each hotel, B&B, Guest House and Self Catering property, by clicking on the accommodation section of this website.
Once you arrive, your host will discuss with you which of the distilleries on Islay and which you wish to visit and will book the special tour on your behalf. Your host will also let you know about all the other amazing things to see and do whilst on Islay
For those staying in self-catering accommodation, you will need to book the distillery tours directly. Information on the Discover Islay member distilleries can be found on the ‘Distillery’ pages of this website.
Book your travel:
To book return ferry travel from Kennacraig to Islay with CalMac, click here for the Winter timetable:
To book return flights from Glasgow to Islay with Loganair, in association with Flybe, click here:
Gourmet Dining
Special gourmet experiences have been created…just for you, using the finest , freshest, local produce and with whisky being such a prominent feature of Islay, many of the dishes are laced with the subtle essence of the island’s finest malts.
Why not mix and match a little? You can choose to eat at any of the participating hotels during your stay – why not dine in a different restaurant each night? The choice, and variety is yours…
Wild Spirit Gourmet Experience Hotels
Each of the following 3 hotels offer superb accommodation and have devised their very own menu for Wild Spirit guests, to allow you to indulge in a culinary experience not to be forgotten.
An Taigh Osda
Bruichladdich, Islay
Tel: 01496 850587
Email: info@antaighosda.co.uk
www.antaighosda.co.uk
A lovely small hotel providing relaxed & informal accommodation in the village of Bruichladdich.
Price guide for 4 nights, with gourmet dinner £375 or £195 bed and breakfast only
The Harbour Inn & Restaurant
Bowmore, Islay
Tel: 01496 810330
Email: info@harbour-inn.com
www.harbour-inn.com
4 star accommodation, award winning cuisine and service (including AA 2 Red Rosettes, Michelin, Good Hotel and Scotland the Best Guides)
Price guide for 4 nights, with gourmet dinner £440 or £220 bed and breakfast only
The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links
Port Ellen, Islay
01496 302310
Email: machrie@machrie.com
www.machrie.com
(The Machrie Hotel and Golf Course are also offering 2 for 1 on a round of golf, normally £45 per person. Please quote ‘Wild Spirit’ when booking).
Price guide for 4 nights, with gourmet dinner £390 DBB or £180 bed and breakfast only.
Hotels with Restaurants
Please note that the following hotels also offer excellent dining options, however, they do not have a specific Wild Spirit Experience Gourmet Menu in place. You can still enjoy excellent food and accommodation with these Discover Islay members:
Bridgend Hotel
Bridgend, Isle of Islay, PA44 7PJ
Tel: 01496 810212
Email: info@bridgend-hotel.com
www.bridgend-hotel.com
The Bridge End Hotel opened a century and a half ago and aims to provide the original Islay experience to all its patrons.
The Port Charlotte Hotel
Port Charlotte, Islay
Tel: 01496 850360
Email: info@portcharlottehotel.co.uk
www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk
The Port Charlotte Hotel is situated in this lovely village on the shores of Loch Indaal. Recommended in Michelin & Good Food Guides and is highly rated in the Scotland the Best Guide.
The Lochside Hotel
Shore Street, Bowmore
Tel: 01496 810244
Email: bookings@lochsidehotel.co.uk
www.lochsidehotel.co.uk
The Lochside Hotel in Bowmore provides 10 comfortable bedrooms along with a magnificent new conservatory style dining room which provides views over Bowmore Pier and Loch Indaal.
For B&B, Guest House and Self Catering accommodation providers, please click here for more information. Remember, as these Discover Islay members do not offer lunch or dinner, you can book your gourmet dining experiences, with those mentioned above.
Distillery Tours
Islay is world-famous for its malts and we present the opportunity for you to get the inside knowledge on how the ‘water of life’ is produced with a visit to 4 of the island’s distilleries – with some added extras included just for you. (Priced at £25 per person for all 4)
Just let your accommodation provider know which distilleries you wish to visit and they will sort out the rest!
If staying in self-catering accommodation, you will need to book the distillery tours yourself. Visit the distilleries section of this website, for a list of all the contact details. Please remember to mention ‘Wild Spirit’ when booking.