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Garden Cottage enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
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Bowmore
A PLACE OF PERFECT HARMONY
There are around 3,000 people on Islay and many of the families have been
around for generations. Their business included farming, fishing, tourism
and, of course, whisky.
In fact, it is home to 8 distilleries and if you enjoy whisky, you'll love getting to know them all! The single malt created here by generation after generation of Bowmore craftsmen has long been regarded as one of the finest in the world.
A stay with us at Bowmore Distillery Cottages offers the chance to share in that fine tradition - to reflect on the heritage of these ancient practices in beautifully renovated cottages, located at the centre of a charming village on a beautiful Hebridean island.
So welcome, or as we also say around here, fàilte
Garden Cottage Accommodation
Bowmore Distillery Cottages encapsulate Islay at its beautiful, peaceful, traditional best. A Stay with us at Bowmore Distillery offers the chance to stay at the heart of one of Scotland's oldest distilleries.
Look out of the front windows over to Bowmore’s tiny ‘Town Square’ or stroll out of the back into the beautiful Bowmore Garden – the perfect place to sit with a dram and gaze across Loch Indaal.
The very comfortable accommodation is all on one level and the dining kitchen has the most beautiful view. A great place for the young or elderly alike.
1 double and 1 twin bedroom – both ensuite. Dining/kitchen; lounge
area with double sofa bed. Garden access.
Visitors can take a tour of our distillery free of charge and will find
a bottle of 12 year old Bowmore on your arrival. Please enjoy both with
our compliments.
Garden Cottage Facilities
. Garden
. TV
. DVD/CD Player
. Wifi
. Washing Machine
. Fridge
. Hairdryer
. Clock Radio
. Microwave
. Linen/Towels
. Electric Shaver Point
. Heating Throughout
Smoking Policy
Non Smoking
Pet Policy
We regret that we do not accept pets, no matter how well behaved, at Bowmore
Distillery Cottages (except Guide Dogs).
Visitors' center
A trip to Islay without a visit to the Bowmore Distillery would be like
looking at one of our bottles without sampling the contents. It's the
oldest on the island, and the setting is simply stunning. Our Visitor
Centre is open throughout the year too (and naturally enough, there's
some tasting to be had as well).
Of course, nobody knows more about our whiskies than those who make them, so our bespoke Craftsmen's Tours are revealing as well as enjoyable.
But you don't have to take our word for it - as The Malt Advocate put it: "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."
Island history
Islay (pronounced "eye-la" in English) has had quite a past,
from its early occupation by ancient man (whose burial mounds and occasional
structural remains still exist) through to a variety of landowners today.
In between, it's been ruled - not always peacefully - by the Kings of Norway and Scotland, not to mention various clans (most notably the Campbells of Cawdor and then the Campbells of Shawfield). Today, Islay is a tranquil place. The ghosts of battles fought long ago been put to rest.
With a population of approximately 3,500, it is a place with a strong community. Farming, fishing and, of course, whisky are the main sources of employment for the islanders (known as Ileachs).
From the breathtaking nature to the welcoming locals, Islay is definitely well worth a visit.
Distillery history
Bowmore Distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland, has stood on the shores
of Loch Indaal, on the Hebridean Island of Islay, since 1779 (and quite
possibly for a few years before that). This makes us the first ever distillery
on the island (well, legal distillery anyway).
Founded over two centuries ago in 1779, Bowmore is the first recorded distillery on Islay (pronounced ‘eye-la’) and one of the oldest in the whole of Scotland. Islay malts are renowned for their peaty smokiness and Bowmore is no exception. We carefully smoke our malt in a peat-fired kiln, just as our ancestors did over 200 years ago.
Bowmore Distillery, Islay's first distillery and one of the oldest in Scotland, has stood on the shores of Loch Indaal, on the Hebridean Island of Islay, since 1779. We're one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovels.
For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River with its rich peaty overtones - it's the same Islay peat that fires the malt drying kiln.
The famous Bowmore Number One Vault is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark damp cellars below sea level. They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.
It's this fine combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood,
people and tradition that together create the subtle, warm and smokey
character of Bowmore single malt whiskies.
Our guests can enjoy a complimentary tour of the distillery, a must when
staying on Islay.
DIRECTIONS
By Road and Ferry:
Islay can be reached by ferry from Kennacraig on the Kintyre Peninsula.
Caledonian MacBrayne operate the 2 hour crossing to Islay.
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 Lockgilphead A83 approx. 23 miles Lochgilphead to Tarbert Loch Fyne
A83 approx. 13 miles Tarbert to Kennacraig West Loch Tarbert approx. 6
miles.
By Air:
Flybe run a 35 minute scheduled flight twice a day, Monday to Friday and
once on a Saturday from Glasgow Airport
Email Garden Cottage enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
