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Wikipedia Undiscovered Scotland Internet Guide to Scotland Islay Info Islay Estates Islay Directory Explore Islay & Jura A small village called Laggan was on the site of the current town of Bowmore before the then owner of Islay, Daniel Campbell, implemented his grandfather's plans to extend his gardens and grounds around Islay House where the village of Killarrow was situated (hence the name of the parish). From 1768 he planned the construction of the village that is now Bowmore. At around the same time, the planned village of Inveraray was built for similar reasons (Campbell had met the Duke of Argyle, who relocated Inveraray, while travelling in Europe) - again with a prominent church at the top of the main street - originally proposed to be round - but that was rejected as it didn't allow for the division of the church into English and Gaeilc speaking parts. Bowmore & WhiskyBowmore ticks all the boxes - Distillery, Whisky Shop, Whisky Bars. Even the School has a pagoda roof to match that of the distillery. What more could you want?
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Bowmore's (Bogh Mòr) most famous feature other than the eponymous distillery is the round Kilarrow Parish Church - shaped so the devil has no corners to hide in - built in 1767. From the church, Main Street stretches down towards the Harbour past the Post Office, Co-Op, Cottage Restaurant, and the offices of the Ileach. The main road then takes a 90 degree right turn, with the distillery, RBS & Tourist Information Centre to the left. Shore Street has the Islay Whisky Shop, Duffie's Bar and the Bank of Scotland.
The Square lies between the turn in the main road and the Pier and contains the Harbour Inn. Just outside town on the road to Bridgend is the Gaelic Centre (Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle) Arriving & DepartingBowmore is roughly equidistant from Islay's two ferry ports - Port Askaig and Port Ellen served by CalMac from Kennacraig 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 SleepingLochside Hotel 20 Shore Street 01496 810244
Harbour Inn Hotel The Square 01496 810330 Bowmore Hotel Jamieson Street 01496 810416 @ Allandale B&B Gartnatra 01496 810981/07527304149 @ (1 mile) An Cuan Jamieson Street 01496 810307/07887 754948 The Bowmore House Shore Street 01496 810324 @ Dha Urlar B&B Cruach Road 07967 505991 @ (1 mile) The Island Bear B&B Shore Street 01496 810375 @ Lambeth House Jamieson Street 01496 810597 @ Meadowside B&B Birch Drive 01496 810479/07899 944330 @ Near Bowmore Allwynds Glenegedale 01496 300167 (6 miles) Glenegedale House Glenegedale 01496 300400 @ (6 miles) Glen Machrie GH Glenegedale 01496 302560 (6 miles) Self Catering Bowmore Distillery have a number of self catering options within the distillery premises - with a bottle of 12yo and a tour of the distillery included. School Street 01496 810671 @ Several other Self-Catering options - see list on Islay Info. EatingDuffie's Bar, Lochside Hotel 20 Shore Street 01496 810244
Harbour Inn Hotel The Square 01496 810330 Bowmore Hotel Jamieson Street 01496 810416 Peatzeria Shore Street 01496 810810 Taj Mahal Shore Street 01496 810033 The Cottage Restaurant Main Street 01496 810111 DrinkingDuffie's Bar, Lochside Hotel 20 Shore Street 01496 810244
Harbour Inn Hotel The Square 01496 810330 Bowmore Hotel Jamieson Street 01496 810416 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 ShoppingCo-Op Main Street 01496 810201
Islay Whisky Shop (Spar) Shore Street 01496 810684 Post Office - Branch finder (search for postcode PA43) for opening times. 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 Bowmore are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628848641361/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628848641361/