Inverary & Isle of Islay

We loved Inverary - stayed at Newton Hall Guest House, run by Bill & Janice. On Bill’s recommendation we had dinner at The George Hotel – he suggested the langoustines (a small crayfish) if it was on the menu as they would have been caught that afternoon. The hotel's building was very rustic, and had a great atmosphere & after enjoying our dinner they added garlic langoustine to the menu!  We had to try it so we shared an entrée – yummo!

View while having my smoked salmon breakfast

 After breakfast we had a quick visit to the Inverary Castle. The Christmas dinner in Downton Abbey was filmed here. The china room was a small circular room off the dining room filled with bone china. Below is just one cabinet. The gardens were beautiful but were didn't have time to walk around them as we had to catch the ferry to Islay.

 

The Ferry trip from Kennecraig to the Isle of Islay takes 2.5 hrs . The sun was shining & the sea was fairly calm.

Islay Ferry - very flash inside

 


arriving at Port Askaig, Isle of Islay

 

One of Peter's favourite whiskies, Laphaug, is distilled on Islay, the main reason we've come here. the Isle is known as the We are staying in the 'capital', Bowmore, at the Island Bear B & B, an 'interesting' B&B run by Bobby, who came for a holiday 10 yrs ago & stayed. We visited the Bowmore Distillery which  is in the middle of town. I found a shed which was full of barley spread very neatly over the floor. Later when showing Peter, he pointed out a red sign "No unauthorised people past this point". Oh well - better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

 

We had dinner over the road at the Lochside Pub. How can I say this? Both the B & B and the pub experiences were like chalk and cheese compared to Inverary. While the pub had little atmosphere, it had a wonderful waitress who was looking after a very busy dining room. She was blond, always smiling and was a human dynamo who spoke just like the blond assistant on 'Absolutely Fabulous'.  The table next to us was full of  9 & 10 yr old girls celebrating a b'day. Rather than being annoying, they provided much entertainment.

 

Today we are off to vist four or five whisky distilliaries. More later...