Your Islay Honeymoon Guide

Beautiful, wild, unforgettable Islay - the perfect place to begin your married life together.

Whether you've just said your vows here on the island or you're visiting after getting married elsewhere, there's something genuinely magical about starting your honeymoon on this remote Hebridean gem. As someone who lives here year-round and has photographed countless couples exploring Islay, I can tell you this place has a way of making honeymoons unforgettable.

Whisky lovers, beach wanderers, wildlife enthusiasts, or simply couples craving peace and quiet away from the world - Islay welcomes you all. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your time here.

Planning Your Islay Honeymoon

Getting Here

Your honeymoon adventure starts with the journey itself. Most couples arrive via the CalMac ferry from Kennacraig (about 2 hours from Glasgow) - it's a beautiful crossing and a lovely way to transition into island time. The ferry journey takes 2-2.5 hours, and honestly, standing on deck watching Islay emerge from the sea is pretty romantic.

If you prefer flying, Loganair runs flights from Glasgow that take just 30 minutes. Book early for the best prices.

When to Visit

I know this depends on when you get married, but every season has its own magic here:

March and April

Think snowdrops, daffodils, rainbows and windswept walks! Be prepared for Spring to be a little behind the mainland, but the light is stunning and the beaches, and often the distilleries will be your own.

May to August brings the longest days (sunset around 10pm in June!), warmest weather, and those incredible golden evening light conditions. The beaches feel almost Mediterranean on a good day. This is peak season, so book accommodation well ahead.

September and October can be absolutely stunning - fewer tourists, dramatic skies, and gorgeous autumn light. Still relatively mild, and you'll often have beaches to yourselves.

November to March is for the adventurous. Wild, windswept, and properly Scottish. If you want dramatic coastal walks and cosy distillery firesides, winter honeymoons here are unforgettable.

Hire a Car

Trust me on this - you'll want wheels. While public transport exists, having a car gives you the freedom to explore hidden corners, stop for impromptu photo opportunities, and chase golden hour light across the island. The roads are quiet and the scenery is stunning at every turn.

Pack Smart

Even in summer, bring waterproof jackets and sturdy walking shoes. Islay weather is as dramatic as the scenery and changes quickly - but that's part of the charm. You'll want to get out exploring regardless of a bit of rain.

And bring plenty of phone and camera storage. Between golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and whisky distilleries emerging from morning mist, you'll be photographing constantly.

Slow Down

This is your honeymoon. For visitors, Islay runs on "Islay time" - leave the rush behind and soak up the island's genuinely laid-back vibe. You're here to breathe in that fresh tangy sea air and be present with each other.

What to Do on Your Islay Honeymoon

Whisky & Distillery Experiences

Take at Least One Distillery Tour
You can't honeymoon on Islay without visiting a distillery - it's practically law. For something romantic, book a tasting at Bunnahabhain and experience the dramatic views after a Warehouse 9 experience, or try Ardbeg, where the peaty punch is balanced by their cosy Old Kiln Café. Kilchoman’s farm distillery and excellent café are well worth a visit just along from Machir Bay. Each distillery has its own fantastic experience, there’s too many to list here! My top tip is go for at least one warehouse experience – trying whisky straight from the cask is something truly special!

Many distilleries offer private tastings if you fancy something more intimate - worth asking when you book.

The Three Distilleries Walk or Cycle

For active couples, the coastal path connecting Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin is absolutely beautiful. Hire bikes or walk it - the sea views are breathtaking, and you can stop at each distillery along the way. It's about 3 miles total, completely doable, and you'll feel very accomplished (and possibly quite happy) by the end. If you’re not feeling so energetic, contact Islay e-wheels for a little bit of an electric bike boost!

Beaches & Coastal Walks

Explore Islay's Stunning Beaches

Nothing says romance like sand between your toes and the Atlantic rolling in. There are numerous small coves and hidden gems that can be reached on foot, by bike or even by sea kayak for the more adventurous. Here are the beaches you shouldn't miss:

Saligo Bay - Wild, windswept, and dramatic. Perfect for sunset walks when the light turns everything golden.

Singing Sands - Secluded and intimate, where the sand really does make sounds as you walk across it. One of my favourite spots on the island.

Machir Bay - Wide-open endless sand with dramatic waves. On a clear day it's almost Caribbean; on a stormy day it's magnificently moody.

Kilnaughton Beach (near Port Ellen) - Quieter, with golden sand and rock pools to explore. More sheltered than the west coast beaches.

You'll likely have most beaches largely to yourselves, especially outside peak summer. Bring a flask of something warming and just soak it all in.

The American Monument

Worth the hike for epic cliff-top views. It's a memorial to ships lost off Islay during both World Wars, and the location is genuinely spectacular - dramatic clifftops overlooking the Atlantic. Extra magical at sunrise and sunset if you can.

Wildlife & Nature

Islay Sea Adventures

Book a wildlife trip to spot seals, dolphins, and even whales. Their sunset cruise watching the sun go down over Soldier's Rock with a glass of Prosecco is genuinely special - highly recommended for honeymoons. You can also arrange private charters for something extra intimate.

Stargazing Under Dark Skies

Minimal light pollution means Islay's night skies are incredible. Wrap up warm, grab a blanket and a flask, and head somewhere coastal – Machir and Saligo Bay are good spots. The Milky Way display can be breathtaking, and in winter you might spot the Northern Lights.

Birdwatching

Even if you're not birders, the wildlife here is extraordinary. Keep your eyes open for golden eagles, sea eagles, hen harriers, choughs, and thousands of geese in winter. The RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart is worth a visit.

Food & Drink

Enjoy Fresh Local Food

Islay is famous for it. The Oyster Shed near Loch Gruinart does freshly shucked oysters with stunning views - simple, perfect, memorable. Ardbeg House, Port Charlotte Hotel, the Bridgend Hotel, Lochindaal Seafood restaurant and The Machrie all have their own slant on local food and dishes. Most restaurants pride themselves on using Islay lamb, beef, and seafood.

In addition, Peatzeria in Bowmore has an outdoor heated pod overlooking Loch Indaal which makes a romantic location to share a pizza!

History & Culture

Explore Local Landmarks

Islay is steeped in history:

Kildalton Cross - A stunning 9th-century Celtic cross, beautifully carved and atmospheric.

Carraig Fhada Lighthouse - Scotland’s only square lighthouse - perfect for photos and a walkable distance from Port Ellen.

Finlaggan - The ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles. Fascinating history and peaceful location.

These spots give you a real sense of the island's deep history and heritage.

Relaxation & Romance

Stay Somewhere Special

From luxury hotels like Ardbeg House or The Machrie with its stunning links-side views and incredible spa, to cosy self-catering cottages right on the water - Islay has accommodation for every style of honeymoon.

There’s highland hideaway pods, storm pods by the water, a huge range of B&B’s and self-catering properties to suit every taste. Stay at Kintra and walk out your door onto the beaches or up into the hills, sample the five-star hosting at Glenegedale House and so much more!

Country Pursuits

For couples interested in outdoor sports, clay pigeon shooting can be arranged, or estate activities can be pre-arranged with the many estates on Islay during the season.

Play Golf

Even if you're not golfers, The Machrie's links course is worth experiencing, and there’s also The Wee Course and the Hebrides Putting Green for less experienced golfers.

Cycle and Explore

Hire a bike and discover some of the hidden beaches - pack a picnic lunch or takeaway food. The day can only be improved by a sausage roll from Copper Still Coffee in Port Ellen, or food from The Bothy, - Seasalt also has great takeaway options.

Plan a Honeymoon Photoshoot

The magic doesn't end after your wedding day. A relaxed romantic photo session on the beach or somewhere coastal captures these special honeymoon memories beautifully - you're already here in this stunning landscape, why not document it? I absolutely love doing couples and honeymoon shoots, so give me a shout if this sounds appealing.

Capturing Your Islay Honeymoon

Whether you got married on the island or you're visiting afterwards, I'd love to help you capture some of these honeymoon memories. A couples session on one of Islay's dramatic beaches - with a flask of whisky, windswept hair, and that incredible light - gives you images you'll treasure forever.

It's not a formal photoshoot, more like an adventure with a camera along for the journey. We'll explore, chat, maybe scramble over rocks, definitely laugh at the wind, and I'll capture you being yourselves in this landscape.

Get in touch to chat about honeymoon photography or if you need any advice about planning your time on Islay. I'm always happy to share recommendations and help make your honeymoon here unforgettable.

Making the Most of Your Time

There's no right or wrong way to honeymoon on Islay. Some couples pack their days with distillery visits, beach walks, and wildlife tours. Others spend most of their time in a cottage with a view, venturing out only for supplies and sunset walks.

My advice? Don't try to see everything. Choose a few things that genuinely appeal to you, leave space for spontaneity, and let the island work its magic. Some of the best moments happen when you're not following a plan - finding an empty beach, spotting an otter, watching storm clouds roll across Loch Indaal.

This is your honeymoon. Slow down, be present with each other, and soak up being in this beautiful, remote, special place together.
However you spend your time here, Islay has a way of making honeymoons genuinely special.

Slàinte mhath - enjoy every moment!