The Islay Book Festival is gearing up for its most ambitious edition yet with events across the island from Thursday to Sunday (27-30 September). Top crime writer Lin Anderson and acclaimed author Bernard MacLaverty, a former Islay High English teacher, are among the big names headed for the four-day literary fest that has become an established part of the island's cultural and events calendar.

Local children's author Mary McGregor and Lynn MacDonald, editor of the Islay Gaelic Songbook, are also on a programme that ranges from sea-themed storytelling in An-Tigh Seinnse pub in Portnahaven on Thursday night to a "Get-it-written" poetry workshop with Chrys Salt at Islay House on Sunday morning.

Kids highlights include an appearance by Alan Dapre's much-loved Porridge the Tartan Cat at the Gaelic college, detective fun and games at the Museum of Islay Life with "Museum Mystery Squad" writer Mike Nicholson and Mary McGregor reading stories at Gruinart RSPB on Sunday afternoon. Read more....

Fantastic! That's for me the best word to describe the rebuilt Machrie Hotel. After having visited the place several times during the reconstruction phase I have become quite impressed with the way it has been rebuilt. The beautiful front, in which you still recognise the original Machrie Hotel, almost hides the fact that this is a very large hotel. The true scale of the Machrie Hotel can be properly appreciated if you walk around the hotel to the modern looking south-side of the hotel, the part which is a few metres away from the Golf Course. This side of the hotel has the very large windows which let in the stunning light from the south-west and opens up amazing views over the stunning golf course and Laggan Bay.

The interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. Because of the many windows the light is beautiful and the views from many rooms and lounges are great. Combine that with modern furniture, Scandinavian style according to their website, and a beautiful palette of warm colours and you immediately feel well. The Machrie offers Classic rooms, Deluxe rooms, Executive rooms and several special rooms and suites. Prices start from around £145 per night in winter to £235 in summer for a classic room with breakfast. Continue reading...

We have not turned into some sort of job website overnight but the fact is that Islay has quite a few vacancies at the moment and unemployment figures seem to be very low, although I can't provide any official figures on that. Staff is in demand in all sorts of businesses and as tourism is growing, resulting in the hotel and catering business in Islay growing as well, more staff is needed to provide a good service. Job adverts on Islay are mostly published in the Ileach Newspaper so if you are looking for work that's probably the first place I would look. Finding a job is one thing, finding accommodation if you're not already living on Islay is another thing and mostly almost impossible to get. Therefore it's great that some employers offer not only work but accommodation too such as Bridgend Hotel & Restaurant, they currently have three vacant positions, see the job advert below:

Bridgend Hotel is now open all Year round and are looking to recruit the following Team Members with immediate start!
Full time Kitchen Porter and 2 x Chef De Partie’s .
Accommodation is available. Competitive Rates of Pay being offered.
Apply please forward a Copy of your C.V to Lorna McKechnie - Hotel Manager
Tel: 01496 810212. Email: info@bridgend-hotel.com

And as I wrote above, for more job opportunities on Islay make sure to visit the Ileach Newspaper where you can get a paper or digital subscription worldwide.

Tag: jobs bridged hotel ileach

We're back from our Summer Break and are very happy to be back on Islay. Gone are the hot summer days and endless sunshine as it's raining while I write this post but despite that, it feels so good to be back on our beautiful island. It was yesterday that I noticed a very nice video shot from a drone which shows some of the beautiful beaches on Islay and it even features our wee cottage. Featured are the Singing Sands in Port Ellen, Machir Bay, Claggain Bay and the beaches in and near Port Charlotte. Please find the video below, it's very much watching over and over again! Enjoy!

Tag: drone video islay beach