Arriving on Islay
We arrived in the dark. On a boat. It missed the pier and had to spin round and go back out to sea before trying again. It was all very exciting.
Port Askaig
![ferry arrival in Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16620605641_64dced532b_z.jpg?resize=525%2C394)
So, the five of us – four humans, 1 canine – went to bed in a lovely old house and awoke to sunshine and a eucalyptus tree.
![window view](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16621114932_edd74eb0ea_z.jpg?resize=480%2C640)
We ate breakfast. We unpacked. Then we ran about on Islay’s golden beaches…
![Kilchoman beach on the island of Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16414471227_002920044b_z.jpg?resize=525%2C394)
And had our cares blasted away by the wind on rocky shores.
![Salago, Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16621147512_1bd42e5eb5_z.jpg?resize=525%2C394)
There was much fireside sitting and eating and laughing and talk.
![jam tarts](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16434622078_55f4e3a6c4_z-219x300.jpg?resize=219%2C300)
Kildalton
History was explored. The Kildalton High Cross and church:
![Kildalton Cross, Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16434657768_26ed930352_z-225x300.jpg?resize=225%2C300)
![snowdrops](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16620690851_d5e51b5f26_z-225x300.jpg?resize=225%2C300)
Finlaggan
The Seat of the Lordship of the Isles at Finlaggan in the soft island rain:
![standing stone at Finlaggan, Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/15999687134_9af5be0e64_z.jpg?resize=525%2C394)
![grave](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16434702768_f1951de9c8_z-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
![16595908336_d7f677c656_z](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16595908336_d7f677c656_z-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
![Finlaggan, Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16414596397_1e3c6ac59a_z.jpg?resize=525%2C394)
Leaving Islay
![view of Islay](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16621912755_942687fbf8_z.jpg?resize=525%2C394)
Then, refreshed and de-stressed, it was back on the ferry to the mainland, though the view there is of Jura:
We passed Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe:
![16621265122_8eec0f6aba_z](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16621265122_8eec0f6aba_z-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
And walked between weather-battered oak trees on our way home.
![Strone Hill](https://i0.wp.com/ailishsinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/16434764528_7f06b4928d_z-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225)
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wished I had been there sounds divine!
Just so achingly breath-taking! Some day I’ll go there…. 🙂
It was a wonderful break and a beautiful place 🙂
God, I adore your blog posts!
Thank you so much Terry 😀
Looks gorgeous. How on earth does the eucalyptus grow there?! #sundayblogshare
The West coast is surprisingly mild, there’s palm trees around too!
Thanks for sharing on SundayBlogShare! Still new to Scotland, so I’m thrilled to be able to add this to my must-see list.
Breathtaking – A beautiful addition to my Sunday….glad I dropped by 🙂
Lovely post. Puts mine to shame.
It looks stunning, what a wonderful place to visit!!
Such beautiful photos!
Thank you 🙂
Absolutely adored Islay and Jura. I’d love to revisit again soon but I book so many trips it’s hard to find the time.
A rugged and beautiful place! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you like 🙂
Islay is beautiful. Port Askaig can be a pain if the water catches the ferry the wrong way. My aunt used to live in Port Ellen
It is a beautiful place.