[Closed] Summer hols on Islay in a motorhome- top tips?

Have only ever been there for work so can't really advise on things to do for the kids. Numerous car parks for camping overnight just drive around until you find a spot you like loads of nice beaches. Particularly like the one on the West side of the island. Also Colonsay and Jura are a short ferry trip from Islay.

I went there for a week last august with wife and 3 year old. We stayed in a cottage on kintra beach. You can park a motor home there . The beach is white sand, desertsd and a few miles long. Stunning 😉

I cant remember the name of the other amazing beach, but its where the choughs are. Goto the RSPB place and they will tell you.

Its generally a beautiful place, not alot for the kids, other than the great outdoors. The great thing though is it doesent take long to drive around, and the roads are empty. Great for birdwatching, if your into that sort of thing. The weather was great last August.

We went 2 years ago & are going back this July.
Kintra bay's nice but seemed fairly busy when we were there, & we couldn't take a dog on the south part of the area.
Plenty of places to park up all over really, top end of Loch Indaal for instance where your'e not too far from Bridgend (decent shop) or Bruichladdich (shop & whisky factory)
There's a camp/van site near port Charlotte too.
Choughs are seen up on Loch Gruinart on the west side (RSPB reserve there too) & down on the Oa, along with Golden Eagles if your'e lucky.
To my mind, once you've done one distillery, you've done them all (imo)
The beaches are goegeous & we went to Claggan Bay North of Ardbeg & there was only us there!
If the kids love exploring rock pools & generally mucking about they'll love it. can't wait to go again now!
Enjoy.

Hi, as an Islay resident with two children (7 and 2yrs) I have to admit that although stunning in good weather in the depths of winter it can be a struggle to entertain.... However on good (or even passable) days there are loads of clean, deserted sandy beaches, Portnahaven offers a safe sandy beach with the post office nearby for an ice cream or the An Tigh Seinnse pub for a snack, the local and visiting children spend hours catching crabs off the rocks here in Port Wemyss, although your children may be a little small. Port Charlotte camp site (Port Mor) has good facilities, a cafe and very important to us great swings! And when in doubt, freezing cold and wet ...swim! The community owned swimming pool at the Mactaggart leisure centre is our second home, (check them out or contact them via facebook for opening times as there are lots of clubs etc) Also look in our fortnightly newspaper (the Ileach) for local events - tea afternoons etc always welcome children and the Islay and Jura Toy Library is open to all, ask at the Gaelic college in Bowmore. And of course come and see us for coffee and cake, if the children are in crabbing lessons and buckets and spades included in the price! Enjoy your trip. Kate, Burnside Lodge B&B and Coffee Shop, Port Wemyss, Isle of Islay.

woman I work with has holiday home there. Her hols seem to involve plenty of walking and lots of whiskey.

flap_jack - Member

woman I work with has holiday home there. Her hols seem to involve plenty of walking and lots of whiskey.

You sure?

Hey Kate, we're staying at Ballimony cottage by Lossit Bay, from 29th June. Mind if we pop in for coffee & cake?!

What burnside lodge said+finlaggan is worth a visit to see where the Lords of the Isles held their council meetings and there's a fantastic celtic cross at kildalton.

Always open (well, April to September) and everyone welcome from after breakfast til about teatime, follow @IslayBaker to see what's baking (sometimes) Great spot at Lossit!