I always love to write a post before Christmas to inform all the readers that there are quite a few online shopping facilities on Islay where you can buy Christmas present for friends and family. It's great because Christmas is almost here and it's also great to support the local shops on Islay. The content of this post hasn't changed too much from last year so I will start with the shops that started their online facilities recently.

The first one is Islay Celtic Craft, the shop on top of Main Street Bowmore, next to the post office. They have recently started selling their items through Ebay and you can find a wide range of Islay goodies there and on their Facebook page. Rachel McNeill from Wild and Magic Islay has recently opened an online shop where she sells clothes and jewellery, have a look here. If children's books are your thing you must visit the website of Ailsa Press, they have some lovely children's books.

If you're into bubbly stuff and whisky you should visit Ailsa's online shop. You can find a wide range of whisky soaps, special gift packs, creams, scenting candels, balms and other bathing and personal care products. You can visit her online shop at www.spiritedsoaps.com. For those of you with a sweet tooth here is a tasty Christmas present. Check out Jane Mitchells An Glean Islay Tablet Shop for Islay whisky tablets flavoured with whisky from the island's distilleries as well as Jura's distillery. Jane created several Christmas specials and has an outlet in her own home between Port Charlotte and Portnahaven. Check out the An Gleann Islay Tablet Online Shop and website. The attractive online Islay Shop is another great place where you can find a nice collection of gifts such as Jewellery, calendars, t-shirts and whisky gifts. Continue reading...

The Islay Quilters, as the name already says, manufacture and sell wonderful quality quilts. Their website is loaded with great examples of their fine hand-crafted quilts and other related products. For another type of fabric, tartan from Islay, have a look at the Islay Woollen Mill website which has an online shop with some very nice items such as find first class tartans, blankets, rugs and other products. Elizabeth Sykes has an extensive collection of Batiks for sale online with prints in several categories: Islay Distilleries, Scottish National Trust properties, flowers, (islay) landscapes and birds and flowers.

C&E Roy, The Celtic House, sells various Islay products online. The product range varies from books, glasswork, jewellery, t-shirts and prints. Mark Unsworth from Islay Studios Photography sells his beautiful pictures online and so does James Deane who also sells gift vouchers if you have a hard time deciding which picture you like best. All prints from Mark and James are available mounted and framed. Becky Williamson, known from the Islay Natural History Trust, has a great gallery with pictures from Islay and Jura which she also sells online. Have a look at www.beckydrewpictures.co.uk. The 2013 Ileach calendar is also for sale with a great selection of beautiful Islay Pictures. Visit www.ileach.co.uk for more information or send an email to calendar@ileach.co.uk to order direct.

Now what would Christmas be without a special Islay Malt whisky? Have a look at Bruichladdich's online Shop and you will find some very special whiskies. Ardbeg has a great online shop as well with, you guessed it, malt whiskies and other goodies such as scarves, caps, fleeces and a great cycling shirt. But don't forget the nectar section, here you find the award winners! Start shopping at www.ardbeg.com. And what to think of Kilchoman, Islay's latest distillery? No different news here either. New spirit for sale online as well as branded gifts, clothing, tweeds and glassware. Have a look at www.kilchomandistillery.com.

Over to Laphroaig, another great online shop with fine whiskies. New is the Laphroaig Triple Wood, or what about a Laphroaig 18 Year Old, the perfect balanced, full bodied expression which offers a long, sweet and intense finish. If whisky isn't your thing you can also opt for the Laphroaig shaped memory stick! All this and more can be found at www.laphroaig.com

Bunnahabhain has online shopping facilities and besides their excellent malts they sell a lot of other goodies including a nice compass and a telescope to find your way home. That's for when you have tasted a bit too much of their fine whisky! And to stay warm they sell a really nice fleece too. Check them out at www.bunnahabhain.com. If you prefer ales why not try Islay Ales from the local brewery as a special Christmas treat.

The Islayinfo bookshop offers a fine collection of Islay books and maps to get you prepared for your visit to Islay next year, or just to learn more about the Queen of the Hebrides and its interesting and rich history.

If any of the businesses miss their entry here please send me an email and I will include you. A note for all the online shoppers: Please keep an eye out on the last posting dates for overseas shipping, some of them already end in a few days. I wish you all "Happy Islay Shopping" and don't forget: Think Christmas - Think Islay

Tag: christmas shopping