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Home , Colonsay, Feolin, Islay, Isle of Mull, Kennacraig, Kerrera

Calgary Bay,

'LOVE ISLAND'

A 10 night itinerary discovering some of 's island jewels.

With 7 local gins to enjoy!

www.ginspiredscotland.com C olonsay Gi n Wild Island Botanist J ura Lussa T arbert O ban

Map data @ Google 2019 Mull Tobermory Whitetail Gin Scotland's islands have a powerful charm to instantly possess their visitors. Like a fickle reality-show contestant, some give you their stormy side for days at a time, but when their sun comes out, their beauty is dazzling. You fall deeply in love, and you know it’s gonna last a lifetime!

There are 700 or so to choose from, but just 89 with people thrown in. The remainder have other amazing residents though. Some permanent, some just passing through. These islands were formed from ancient rocks, in places over a billion years old, others from volcanoes. Explore high mountain contours and low-lying sandy grasslands, there really is somewhere for everyone. Through history they’ve been woo’ed by Celts and , echoed in the place names and the surviving castles. Much evidence of some turbulent past relationships.

These days a more sociable culture has arrived on these gorgeous shores: The Gin

Makers. And so, while you don’t need any better reasons to introduce yourself than the islands themselves, you now have the spirit to turn your day dreams into reality, and start seriously loving these islands!

www.ginspiredscotland.com Wednesday - Oban and an ocean cruise to Colonsay

This tour starts and ends in Oban, on a Wednesday! That might sound very precise, but to make the most of the ferry timetables, keep costs down, and spend less time travelling and more time enjoying, that's the best day to start! You may opt to drive there, and engage a driver for the remainder, or to self drive throughout. Many islands have car hire available if you're prepared to travel as foot passengers on the ferries. The lovely folk at Colonsay Gin will even give you a lift to explore other parts of the island, if they're available.

There's an afternoon Caledonian McBrayne ferry from Oban out to the unspoilt island of Colonsay. Just over 2 hours cruising some of Scotland's most beautiful seaways. Past lovely , then following the south side of Mull out into open water and then Colonsay itself.

What a way to begin your holiday, on an island with more sunshine hours than anywhere else in Scotland! https://www.calmac.co.uk/oban-colonsay-portaskaig--colonsay- ferry-summer-timetable

Accommodation here ranges from self catering cottages, a hostel, or the elegant Colonsay hotel perched just above the harbour at . Be sure to order one of the island gins at the bar. https://colonsay.org.uk/accommodation is the community group website.

For this itinerary visit www.ginspiredscotland.com Thursday & Friday Beaches, Birds, Gardens, Goats & Gin! Colonsay has delights aplenty from the debate over whether Balnahard or Kiloran beach is more beautiful, to knowing which of the two island gins you should try first! Choices choices!

Colonsay Gin offers Gin Lovers Retreats on Friday and Saturdays, with accommodation and meals included. At other times they offer afternoon tours of their craft distillery, or more formal tasting sessions, perhaps featuring gins from their global collection, or a hand crafted selection of Scottish lovelies, according to your wishes. So book in for a Thursday tour unless you're able to stay around.

Learn more at https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn- 1809-13

Wild Island Gin 'Distiller's Cut' is made right next to the ferry terminal and shop and runs tours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, with tastings too. Don't miss it!

Find out where to buy it at https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn-1809-73

Colonsay is home to seabird colonies, exotic plants which enjoy the mild climate, wild goats, a brewery and even an 18 hole golf course! So there's something for everyone. Truly an island not to be missed!

For this itinerary visit www.ginspiredscotland.com Saturday - Islay - the island! & Gin? Leaving Colonsay on the Saturday evening ferry to Islay's , you arrive nicely in time for a late dinner, or perhaps just a local gin nightcap. (Don't miss this ferry, and book well in advance - the next one's not until Wednesday!)

For accommodation, there's such a wide range from the elegant Islay House, to self catering and camping.

Visit www.islayinfo.com for a great selection.

Sunday - Islay - Two island Gins

Islay is often called the Queen of the . You can easily fill a week or more here, but for this trip we just have 2 days. You can squeeze visits to the island's two gin producers in one day though!

The Botanist tour at Bruichladdich begins at 1pm, and Nerabus Gin's visitor Centre in the Square at Islay House is open between 12 noon and 4pm. For details and to book:-

Find The Botanist at https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn- 1809-10

Find Nerabus at https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=nh-td- 0247

For this itinerary visit www.ginspiredscotland.com Monday - Jura - Deer, George Orwell & Gin Jura is a very visible presence from many parts of Islay, with it's distinctive Paps or hills looking across the fast flowing sound to Port Askaig, Caol Ila and . It's Islay's little sister, but as little sisters do, she has her own distinct personality! Here, people number around 200, but there are well over 5000 red deer, so you are bound to come across them during your visit.

The ferry from Port Askaig on Islay to on Jura runs daily every hour during the daytime, weather permitting. From Feolin, there's just one road, to , the main village with the whisky distillery and the hotel, and onwards to and our destination - Lussa Gin

Lussa Gin was founded by three ladies, Claire, Alicia and Georgina who grow or forage all of the botanicals they use in Lussa gin right here on Jura. Their enterprise began in 2015, but recognition and awards soon followed and exports are now beginning. Book your visit here at https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn-1809-49

Not far beyond Ardlussa is Barnhill House, where George Orwell wrote 1984 in his later years. It's ironic to think he wrote about Big Brother when in such a remote spot the only beings watching him would have been the deer and eagles of Jura!

You'll probably return to Islay to sleep as it's an early ferry tomorrow, but enjoy lunch or a drink or two at The Jura Hotel while you're there. https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn-1002-67

For this itinerary visit www.ginspiredscotland.com Tuesday - A Canal, The and Oban

The CalMac sailing from leaves at 945am, arriving 1205. Taking the ferries in this combination means you won't cover the same route twice, giving you new sights around every headland. Landing at Kennacraig you head north to Oban, but rather than try to keep up with the whisky lorries or the speedy fish vans, take some detours to the , or up historic Kilmartin Glen, and make the most of your afternoon. At Tarbert on your route north is The Starfish, a small restaurant specialising in fresh local seafood https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn-1002-65 Our recommended accommodation tonight and tomorrow is the lovely Aspen Lodge, just outside Oban https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=nh-td-0274 Wednesday -

After a wonderful breakfast at Aspen Lodge explore the delights of this area for the day. Choose from cycling, boat trips, gardens, castles, a whisky distillery, shopping, a chocolatier, great seafood restaurants, horse riding, diving, walking or just wandering and people watching! There's plenty to occupy you and it makes for a great excuse to relax and chill.

Don't miss Oban Whisky and Fine Wine on Stafford Street, to see their selection of Scottish Gins while you're in town. https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn-1002-61 Overnight again at Aspen Lodge

For this itinerary visit www.ginspiredscotland.com Thursday - The Isle of Mull, Eagles and Gin

Today's destination is the beautiful island of Mull. From Oban, the short 40 minute sail to passes the strategic stronghold of , home to the Clan McLean for over 700 years. At Craignure, head north along the coast road to the island's colourful capital, Tobermory.

Tobermory Distillery is found at the southern end of town, and is open daily from 10am to 4pm, This distinctive gin is really worth getting to know, and their whisky's pretty good too! https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=nh-td-0204

A selection of restaurants, including the famous fish and chip van on the harbour, a jeweller who still crafts intricate chains on the premises, craft shops, galleries and coffee houses, leave plenty of time for Tobermory.

You may choose to spend the night here in one of the variety of hotels or B&Bs, or to continue around the coastal roads to explore more of the island. Bay is a treat, but the narrow roads require patient drivers.

Our next scheduled stop is at , home to White Tail Gin. https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=gn-1809-74 The direct route from Tobermory takes around one hour and it's a gorgeous route. Tiroran House, hotel, restaurant and self catering is beautifully situated, and even casual visitors can enjoy their coffee shop where the local gin can be sampled and purchased too. https://ginspiredscotland.com/map/map.html?biz=nh-td-0183

For this itinerary, visit www.ginspiredscotland.com Friday - Three Islands and a Castle

Whether you spent the night at Tiroran or Tobermory, I would recommend you head south today. At the very foot of Mull is and the ferry across to 'The Cradle of Christianity', . But before you follow the crowds (and it does get very busy), consider taking the staffatours.com early boat out to visit ? The caves (Fingals included) face east, so are best viewed in the morning light. You might even get there while the resident puffins are having their breakfast, or disturb a snoozing basking shark or along the way.

Iona is a small island and you can't take your car there, which makes it a very calm experience, even on busy days. the Abbey is beautiful and the sense of peace is pervasive, even if this type of spirit is not your preferred tipple. It's a short walk to the main sites before your ferry returns you to Mull.

So you have the chance to set foot on 3 islands today, so why not top it off with a Castle on your way back to Oban on the late ferry? Duart Castle is close to your route, as is the lovely Castle at Torosay, built around 500 years later than Duart.

So this is your final night. Spend it on Mull or in Oban, your choice depending on your onward travel plans. But do come back again, this has only been a journey of seven isles and seven gins, there are plenty more to savour!

For this itinerary, visit www.ginspiredscotland.com For this itinerary, visit www.ginspiredscotland.com

Map data @ Google 2019

Costs will vary dependent on time of year and group size, but allow £875 per person for one couple self driving and travelling in June 2020. inc bed and breakfast at the establishments featured and all ferry costs. Memories - priceless!

Dinners, lunches, drinks, tour fees, bottle purchases, gratuities and other retail therapy are not included!