Glasgow is the “hub”, whether travelling by car, coach, train or air.
(You can travel by car via the Isle of Arran, but that is more complicated)

By car – allow at least 7 hours to drive from London.

• Trains to Glasgow from London (Euston) are frequent and take 4-6 hours. Fares vary depending on type and time of booking. Suggest advance booking. www.trainline.com
• Coach travel is probably the cheapest. See www.nationalexpress.com or tel: 08705 808080. Also check www.megabus.com 
• Air – various options: BA, BMI, EasyJet all fly to Glasgow International Airport from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stanstead). Buses leave Glasgow Int. Airport every 20 mins or so for the 30 min (approx.) journey to Glasgow city centre (Buchanan Street bus station).

From Glasgow to/from Islay
By car and ferry:
Approximately 3 hours drive (twisty, busy road in poor condition) from Glasgow to Kennacraig on the west coast of the Mull of Kintyre, then a two and a half hour ferry crossing to Islay, arriving at either Port Ellen or Port Askaig, Islay. There are 3-4 ferries per day (2 on Sundays) operated by Caledonian MacBrayne; return tickets: ~£77 for a car and driver, and £11.85 for a passenger. (N.B. Essential to check in 30 mins before sailing.) Check with us, as you may not need to bring a car on the ferry to Islay.
For ferry timetables and booking (essential for cars!):
 www.calmac.co.uk  or phone 08705 650000
                                                                                                        
By bus and ferry:     
Citylink buses (operated by West Coast Motors; route 926) from Buchanan Street Bus Station, which is about 10 mins walk from Glasgow Central Railway Station (ask us for directions), connect with ferry sailings from Kennacraig. The bus goes right to the ferry terminal.  See the Glasgow-Campbeltown timetable; cost about £22. return
For bus timetables and booking (strongly advised):
www.westcoastmotors.co.uk or phone 01586 552319
www.citylink.co.uk   or phone 08705 505050

By air:
FlyBe manage the Glasgow-Islay link (operated by Loganair) but do not fly to Glasgow from London. However they have a code-share with BA which allows one to book London – Islay direct with BA. There are twice-daily return flights on weekdays, and one per day at weekends on the Glasgow – Islay route; check the FlyBe website for times. Cheapest fare from London costs around £120 return. Book via FlyBe and BA websites.

Cheapest Options:
To go all the way by coach is cheapest, if you are travelling alone. Car, if with others. To get to Glasgow, train or air could be cheap if you book well ahead. Cheapest onward journey to Islay is by bus/ferry if alone, or by car and ferry if with others.


For general information about the Isle of Islay:  www.islayinfo.com


Islay Tourist Information, Bowmore, Isle of Islay  Tel: 01496 810254

Further information:
Philip Maxwell
Smaull Song
Smaull Farmhouse
Gruinart, Isle of Islay   PA44 7PU

Email: smaullsong@aol.com          Tel: 01496 850537