Click the map's Google logo to go to Google Maps - for Directions, Street View etc. Islay Info: Port Wemyss Portnahaven Atlantic Coast
Wikipedia Internet Guide to Scotland Undiscovered Scotland: Port Wemyss Portnahaven Kilchiaran Chapel Both villages were founded in the early part of the 19th century when the owners of the Islay were clearing inland areas for more profitable sheep. Islay's cleared population appear to have fared better than in some other areas where crofters were just driven out of their homes and left to fend for themselves. Port Wemyss did not have a church, so had to share the facility at Portnahaven. Though they had to share, there is reputed to have been a great deal of animosity between the neighbouring villages - hence the two doors, one for each set of parishoners. A coastal path below Port Wemyss, Ràthas nan Lasgairean - The Path of the Fisherman - gives great views across to Orsay. Two Ports & WhiskyPortnahaven has a bar - An Tigh Seinsse - with a good range of whiskies, and is within 10 miles of the Bruichladdich Distillery.
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Port Wemyss is a couple of hundred yards SE of Portnahaven. They are twin villages at the very end of the Rhinns peninsula of Islay. The older Portnahaven surrounds a small inlet opposite the opening between the two islands (Orsay and Eilean Mich Coinnich) which protect the villages from the open sea.
Orsay has the Rhinns of Islay lighthouse, and a ruined chapel As well as the main road down the coast of Lochindaal, there is a back road along the Atlantic coast as far as Kilchiaran, which then crosses the peninsula to Port Charlotte. There is also a track marked on the OS Map from Kilchiaran to Machir Bay near Kichoman, Brian Palmer hints that its passable by bike, though doesn't yet seem to have written his promised description of the route! Arriving & DepartingPortnahaven is 22 miles from Port Askaig and 26 from Port Ellen, both are 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 SleepingBurnside Lodge B&B Port Wemyss 01496 860296
Orsay House B&B Portnahaven 01496 860370/07785395408 The Monachs B&B Nerabus 01496 850049 (4 miles) Ocean View B&B Nerabus 01496 850049 (4 miles) Octofad Farm B&B Nerabus 01496 850594 (4 miles) Self Catering Cladville Dairy Cladville Hill above Portnahaven 01496 860243 Orsay View 29 Shore St, Port Wemyss 01496 860218 Several other Self-Catering options - see list on Islay Info (Port Wemyss, Portnahaven) EatingAn Tigh Seinnse Portnahaven 01496 860224
Bo Frois Coffee Shop Porthnaven DrinkingAn Tigh Seinnse Portnahaven 01496 860224
Cycling
Islay 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 Cycles 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 in Portnahaven now closed - you'll have to go to Port Charlotte. Check PO Branch finder (search for postcode PA47) 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?? |
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Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions and my other pictures of Port Weymss & Portnahaven are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157629368463499/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157629368463499/