A holiday on Islay should be high on every whisky afficionado's list, as this corner of the Inner Hebrides is home to no fewer than eight working distilleries, producing world-famous brands such as Laphroaig and Bowmore, to characterful independents such as Bruichladdich, and the newest arrival at Kilchoman, a recently opened farm distillery. Try our short break to experience not just the whisky but also the sandy beaches, striking seascapes and wildlife.

The journey to Islay starts with a memorable drive past Loch Lomond and down Loch Fyne to the Kintyre peninsula, where you catch your ferry.

Your Hotel

Your tastefully restored four-star hotel dominates the whitewashed seafront in Port Charlotte, a pretty Victorian conservation village on the western shore of Loch Indaal. Polished wooden floors, oriental rugs and fine antiques feature throughout the hotel, whilst most of the bedrooms enjoy lovely sea views.

An impressive private art collection is displayed in the elegant surroundings of the restaurant, whose a la carte menu features local beef, lamb and game from nearby island estates and fresh seafood from the Islay fishing fleet. Lighter meals are served in the sunny conservatory, which opens onto a garden fringed by a small sandy beach. After a stroll around the bay, guests can unwind in the convivial surroundings of the cosy bar, where hearty meals are served in front of a roaring fire, and some of the world's finest malt whiskies can be sampled to the tune of traditional live music.

Distillery tours

No visit to Islay is complete without visiting at least some of the island's world famous distilleries. Your break will include 2 tours, usually of Ardbeg, Bowmore , Laphroaig or Bruichladdich - we can include any that is a favourite brand, or let us choose for you. We can arrange taxi transport on the island if required, or would recommend that you nominate a driver.

What to see and do

Once the ancestral seat of the Lords of the Isles, Islay is a fertile island of low heather-clad hills, attractive beaches, numerous historical sites and more whisky distilleries than any other Scottish island! A haven for hill-walkers and bird-watchers, it is home to the huge Loch Gruinart bird sanctuary and its vast numbers of migrating geese. In the island capital, Bowmore, you can visit the unusual Round Church (no corners for the devil to hide in!) or, if history is your thing, the Museum of Island Life in Port Charlotte is well worth a visit, as are the ruins of Finlaggan Castle, home of the Macdonald chiefs, and Kildalton Chapel with its early Christian cross. Easily accessible for day-trips are the neighbouring islands of Jura - whose rugged scenery belies the glorious splendour of Jura House Garden - and pretty Colonsay (Wednesdays only), which boasts spectacular Kiloran Bay.

Price £229 per person for holidays between November 2007 and February 2008 £239 per prson for March 2008 and £295 per person for April to October 2008 holidays, based on 2 people sharing a room for 3 nights on a bed & breakfast basis. Your holiday includes tours of 2 distilleries on Islay. It also includes return ferry travel for a car and two adult passengers.

Taxi transfers available at an additional cost.

All our touring holidays include a map of Scotland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £7 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value.

All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.