Les Wilson will hold a book launch in Bowmore Distillery for his new book The Drowned and the Saved, When War came to the Hebrides. It's a book about the horrors of World War 1 on Islay, which is now 100 years ago. This year there will be many events around Scotland to commemorate World War 1 and Islay plays an important role. The war arrived directly on the shores of Islay with the sinking of the Tuscania and Otranto resulting in the deaths of over 500 mainly American servicemen. A new website has been built with many stories of that time as well as the major events which will take place this year. See https://ww100islay.com/.

A quote from the Drowned and the Saved book review in the Ileach: "As a journalist, Les eschews overtly flowery language, but his writing is no less descriptive for it. The detailed personal stories paint pictures of tragedies that, reading of them, is fortunately the closest we will ever come. Information has been taken from log books, letters and interviews which outline the personal experiences of individuals caught up in the most horrific of situations. The level of detail hammers home the hellish nightmare of the sinkings. Les weaves in those stories with what was happening on Islay itself; local people responding to flares and galvanising themselves and others to help the stricken, all the more complicated with no telephones on Islay in 1918." Continue reading...

After an extremely busy year it's finally time to take a moment to relax and wish you all who visited our websites, followed us on Social Media and sent us such lovely feedback a very Happy Christmas with your families and friends. I've made a wee video with some wintry scenes, I hope you like it.

Tag: christmas xmas video

The dark days before Christmas are here so now is a good time to start thinking about Christmas presents! Before you rush off to Amazon and the likes you might want to consider doing some of your Online Christmas shopping on Islay and support the local businesses as there is plenty of choice, as you can see on our online shops on Islay page.

But there is more. The Islay Celtic Craft shop in Portnahaven also sell their items online through Ebay and you can find a wide selection of Islay and Celtic related items. For an overview visit their Ebay page. Jane Taylor's beautiful whisky prints can also be purchased online and if children's books are your thing you must visit the website of Ailsa Press, they have some lovely children's books.

Since early 2017 we also sell our own photos online through our new business Island Light Photography. All the photos on Islay Info, on our popular Facebook page and many many more can be purchased as canvases or prints and can be mounted or framed. If folk on Islay order framed prints we have it professionally done by Islay Studios. You can also download the file and have it printed with your local print shop. For more info see www.islay.photos. We also sell our mounted prints at the Blue Letter Box in Port Ellen.

You can find a wide range of whisky soaps, special gift packs, creams, scenting candles, balms and other bathing and personal care products on the www.spiritedsoaps.com website and for those of you with a sweet tooth I can recommend the Islay tablet shop. 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...

West coast ferry operator CalMac has issued a weather warning in the face of Storm Caroline hitting its area of operations tomorrow (December 7). It is likely that severe disruption will affect a significant number of routes and several sailings have already been cancelled as winds of up to 80mph have been forecast. Tomorrow mornings Islay sailings have already been cancelled and it's likely that the remaining sailings will be cancelled as well. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning "be aware" warning for Scotland between 08:00 and 23:55 on Thursday.

CalMac’s Commercial Director Graeme Macfarlan said: "With Storm Caroline expected to see winds gusting to 70 mph across the north of Scotland tomorrow disruption to ferry services is a high possibility. We would urge passengers who need to travel, to allow extra time for their journey and to keep track of the status of their sailing on the website before setting out on their journey.

With the beginning of the stormy season we'd like to point out our comprehensive article in which we cover everything you need to know about ferry cancellations, how to stay up to date on disruptions and what your rights as passenger are. For more info visit our article How to Check if your Ferry to Islay is Sailing

Tag: calmac ferry travel