Islay: whisky, gin and cows on the beach

Islay is the “Queen of the Hebrides”, an island with such clear seas and bright beaches it sometimes felt like we’d been zapped to the Caribbean… until the sheep and cows came wandering along the sand.

But it’s really all about the single malt whisky with the hard-to-pronounce names (though Brian Cox will show you how).

The whisky was a bit lost on me (Laphroaig review: “Tastes like punishment”) but I heartily recommend The Botanist, the gin made by Bruichladdich. Hands down the best I’ve ever thoroughly sampled!

Cover for Gareth's new prog album

Ardbeg Distillery

Lagavulin

Token cask pic

Tropic of Scotland

I would love to see an Islay single malt spelling bee

Swallows not welcome at Laphroaig

Laphroaig stills | Port Charlotte pub

Coos on the beach

Beach sheep

Sheep shelter

Mod cons

Machir Bay