Isle Of Islay

[Richie]

I'm going on a business trip (if you know what I mean) to the Isle Of Islay, Just off the West coast of Scotland.
I'll be gone for about 4-5 weeks but hopefully will have internet access. So I'll do a photo story diary of the trip and things we (me and me muckers) get up to.
Were going up there to do some good will tasks for the local community to make things a little better, ie building bridges and foot paths across boggy swamps and all that sort of things.

So a big Thank you all Tax payers (including my self) for this holiday .... Sorry exercise...
Were staying at a newly built campsite (no electricity of there own yet) Near Port Charlotte, in Army tents.

We'll be on the East Coast of the Western Finger of Islay.
Looking forward to a taste of the local brew...hic



So let the story begin...

look forward to this ,,,jolly good,as you were soldier

[Luckypants]

You lucky, lucky, lucky bar.......

Lovely. If you do water, try and do some snorkelling up there (warm wetsuit tho!).

Richie,

Islay is a lovely place, if you get the chance go to Port Wemyss. It's a small place set around a little cove/bay, what's unique is that seals come up the beach and bask on rocks at the waters edge, quite surreal watching the postie go about his business, with seals only yards away !!!!!!

Do you like our "NATIONAL DRINK", ?????

there were at the last count 7 working distilleries on the island. Islay malts are traditionally "peaty", ie they can be an "acquired" taste.

However, the smoothest, lovliest malt in the entire planet comes from the Bunnahabhan distillery (pronounced - "Bon-a-have-en), it is the only non peaty Islay malts, also the Bruichhladdich" (pronounced - "Brook-laddie") is pretty nifty too.

Quite a few of the distilleries have visitors shops, and the one at Bowmore is worth popping into, however a word of warning - credit cards are needed. By that I mean I was very tempted by the Bowmore single malt from 1969 (year of my birth), but the "GRAND" price tag put me off

I've never been, but pop over to Jura the neighbouring island and climb to the top off the paps, the view is meant to be totally utterly breath taking.

I hope you enjoy it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Richie]

First night back in the block again, In my old room... Depressing.... yes there is no bed, or curtains....
I have a photo but need to get it off my phone first...

Looking forward to the distillarys, the closest one is only 3 miles up the road... so a quick Tab north and then a staggered formation home...

Leaving this location (Leeming) at 06:15 Sunday morning... so if any one sees a packet of 5x 4 ton Daf trucks heading North A1, West A66, North M6, North M74, then M8 then back roads to ferryport tomorrow give the last Vehicle a wave as it's me...

Originally Posted by grh1904

However, the smoothest, lovliest malt in the entire planet comes from the Bunnahabhain distillery

Helped you with the spelling

Sorry, I'm a bit of a distillery geek

To fit in like a local man the island should be pronounced 'Eye-Lah' as in Layla, and definitely not 'Eye-Lay' as in Jo Whiley.

My mate has been several times (MoD sub-contractor) and says it's a fantastic place to go for a short while.

Hope you've been getting in plenty training so to avoid the 'recovery position' mate.

Originally Posted by haggis

To fit in like a local man the island should be pronounced 'Eye-Lah'

Yes, but I didn't want to overload the poor lad, he is English after all !!!!!!

[Richie]

25 Minutes of leaving camp and the first brake down....
A trailer being towed by a landrover had a flat, but was in a place where it couldn't stop, so he carried on ..... then lost his wheel...... OMG... So fixed that in 5 minutes, Told him to go back to camp bin off the trl, and carry on with the trip Making sure to put the 4 wheel nuts back on the rover...
will up load photo when I get to the other side.