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Wikipedia Undiscovered Scotland (Finlaggan) Internet Guide to Scotland Islay Info Islay Estates Islay Directory Explore Islay & Jura Ballygrant was the centre of lead and silver mining on Islay until the late 19th century with four mines, Ballygrant, Woodend, Gartness and Robolls - nothing much is left today. Nearby Finlaggan was the site of a Castle from which the Lords of the Isles ruled much of the West Coast of Scotland as well as the islands for some 200 years until 1493. Ballygrant & WhiskyBallygrant had a farm distillery in the 19th century, but the site has now gone to the dogs - Lossit Kennels (sorry). Excellent selection of whiskies at the Ballygrant Inn - voted 3rd best whisky bar in Scotland in 2012.
Close to many distilleries: Caol Ila (3 miles); Bunnahabhain (6); Bowmore (7); Bruichladdich (10); Kilchoman (13); Isle of Jura (12 + ferry). |
Ballygrant is the longest established village on Islay. It is now rather elongated though it is centred on the junction between the A846 Port Askaig to Bridgend road and the Glen Road. The Ballygrant Inn is a quarter of a mile north; another part of the village is a quarter mile to the south, with Kilmeny Church another quarter mile further on.
Loch Finlaggan is half a mile behind the village over Robolls Hill, but is accessed by a road a mile north of Ballygrant. Arriving & DepartingBallygrant is about 3 miles from Port Askaig, it also has direct route to Port Ellen (15 miles) via the Glen Road and the High Road. Both are served by CalMac from Kennacraig (timetable Winter Summer). Getting to Kennacraig? - see main Islay page. There's also one or two sailings a week to/from Oban Winter/Summer using Port Askaig).
Open Cycle Map Bing Map SleepingAyen Cottage B&B 01496 840270 @
Stayed at Ayen Cottage in 2008 and recall it as a very hospitable B&B, a little remote, particularly on the first night when I had to cycle there in heavy rain from Port Askaig. But on a sunny evening the next day it was a beautiful setting. Rough track to the cottage, could have done with a mountain bike! Ballygrant Inn 01496 840277 @ I stayed at the Ballygrant Inn in 2009 and 2013 - a great selection of whiskies and excellent food. Kilmeny Country House GH 01493 840668 @ Woodside B&B 01496 840643 @ Self Catering Craigard Holiday Accommodation Ballygrant 01496 810728 @ Finlaggan Cottage Finlaggan 01496 810221 @ Other Self Catering on Islay EatingBallygrant Inn 01496 840277
Labels Old Post Office DrinkingBallygrant Inn 01496 840277
CyclingIslay Cycles 07760 196592
Run from a house in Port Ellen, so not a shop as such, but hire, sales, accessories and repairs available - see website/ring for further details. Brian Palmer 01496 810653 describes himself as "the only cycle repairer and spare parts person in Bowmore". Again run from his house. There's a load of cycing reated information on Brian's washingmachinepost website. See also islayinfo.com Bike hire from Bowmore Post Office 01496 810366; Port Ellen 01496 302349.and Islay Cyces as above; Port Charlotte 01496 850488; and Port Askaig (Persabus) 01496 840753. Nearest Cycle Shops Lochgilphead (18 miles from Kennacraig), Oban Nevis Cycles 87 George Street, Oban 01631 566033 David Graham 13-15 Combie Street, Oban 01631 562069 Crinan Cycles 34 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead 01546 603511 ShoppingPost Office - Port Askaig or Bridgend
Check PO Branch finder (search for postcode PA45) for opening times. Bowmore: Co-Op Main Street 01496 810201 Islay Whisky Shop (Spar) Shore Street 01496 810684 Banking - RBS, Main Street; BoS, Shore Street. Cash Machines at both. Raining?? |
Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions and my other pictures of Ballygrant are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157633141738941/
Finlaggan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628852644895/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157633141738941/
Finlaggan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628852644895/