theislayride.org

DAY 1 – Thursday 17 th July 2008 – approx. 18 miles

Depart Kennacraig on the 1300 hrs Caledonian MacBrayne sailing to Port Askaig, Isle of Islay. Arrive in Port Askaig 1505 hrs.

www.calmac.co.uk

We will ride from Port Askaig via the distilleries at Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain to Bridgend, enjoying breath-taking views of the Sound of Islay.

The first Caol Ila Distillery was built in 1846 and stood until 1972. The new distillery was opened in 1974 and stands on the shores of the Sound of Islay, nestled in a small bay just round the corner from the ferry terminal at Port Askaig. The distillery is part of the Diageo group. www.discovering-distilleries.com/caolila

Bunnahabhain distillery was established in 1881 and is currently owned by Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd. Situated at the end of a small single-track road, the distillery sits at the mouth of the Margadale River and boasts its own pier. www.bunnahabhain.com

The village of Bridgend has at its hub Jimmy Campbell’s shop, stocking everything you could ever possibly want to buy. There is also a petrol station, the Bridgend Hotel and close by is the Islay House Square . Behind the estate’s “big house” the adjacent square re-developed in the early 2000’s and is now home to several craft shops, the Islay Ales Brewery and a community garden. Nearby is the Islay Woollen Mill and the area around the village has several self-catering and bed & breakfast establishments. http://www.islayinfo.com/bridgend.html  www.islaywoollenmill.co.uk  www.islayales.com

The auction mart at Bridgend will be our home for the duration of this adventure. Owned by United Auctions, the mart was the base for the previous ride in ‘96.