Port Askaig Hotel

Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Argyllshire, PA46 7RD
Telephone: 01496 840245
Fax: 01496 840295
Scottish Tourist Board 2 Star Hotel

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Licensed prior to 1835 PORT ASKAIG HOTEL is a picturesque Highland Inn on the shores of the Sound of Islay. It overlooks the pier at which the daily car ferries berth on arrival from the mainland. High above PORT ASKAIG is the Dunlossit Estate. Here are situated the beautiful lochs of Ballygrant, Lossit, and Allan. All are easily approached by road and well stocked with excellent trout. The charges for fishing, which include the use of a boat, are very reasonable. The sea laps on the rocky shores of the ground in which the Hotel stands and the views across the Sound to the Paps of Jura, southward to Kintyre, or northwards to the Island of Mull, some 35 miles away, are truly magnificent.

There was an Inn at PORT ASKAIG four hundred years ago and this is now incorporated in the Hotel as the Public Bar. The rest of the building dates back to the eighteenth century. Now adapted to provide a high standard of comfort with modern kitchens and equipment, great care has been taken to preserve the character and peace of a bygone age.

THE ISLE OF ISLAY, some 25 miles long and 20 miles wide, the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands, is situated in the Gulf Stream off the south-west coast of Scotland and although well out in the Atlantic, is easily reached from the mainland. It offers a great variety of attractions to the holiday maker. It has small compass, it contains lovely sandy bays, magnificent caves, a quiet atmosphere of village and farm and a colour harmony of lochs and heather, woods and fields, from which the eye can turn either to a panorama of distant hills and islets or the ever-changing prospect of the boundless ocean. For some visitors the fishing facilities are of the greatest importance and for them Islay provides a number of well-stocked lochs and rivers where trout and salmon fishing is available either from boat or bank. Sea fishing abounds round the coast. On Islay are some 150 miles of good motoring roads making the most of the island readily accessible to the visitor. There is an excellent natural Golf course. Endless beaches of soft silver sand are constantly washed by Atlantic breakers. To the ornithologist, the naturalist, the photographer and the artist, the island is an endless joy. A wealth of archaeological subjects remain, and above all, the natural beauty of mountain, glen, bay and headland are unspoiled and tranquil.

PORT ASKAIG is a charming hamlet clustered round the pier. There is little else apart from the Hotel, the shop, the post office and a good road which winds up the well-wooded hill to the rest of the island. Another road stretches along the coast with fine sea and mountain scenery. It passes through the distillery villages of Caol Ila and Bunnahabhainn which produce some of the finest malt whisky for which Islay is so justly famous. Well known as a safe anchorage with deep water, fishing craft, lobster boats and yachts are usually in the harbour or at the pier. For hundreds of years the passenger ferry has run from PORT ASKAIG across the Sound of Islay to Feolin pier on Jura. Now a modern car ferry provides a frequent daily service, including Sunday.

Visitors are welcome to the Islay Station of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution which is at PORT ASKAIG. The Islay lifeboat since it was established at PORT ASKAIG in1934 has been responsible for the saving of over 350 lives.

PORT ASKAIG HOTEL All day meal & bar service Local & home garden produce All bedrooms on first floor All double/twin rooms en suite Colour T.V, radio & hospitality tray in all bedrooms Residents lounge with colour T.V Full central heating Ample parking Off-season special rates Well-behaved dogs welcome

HOW TO GET TO ISLAY There are several daily car ferries, including Sunday, from Kennacriag, situated on West Loch Tarbert, to Islay, many sailing direct to Port Askaig. During the summer months there is a connecting service to the Island of Colonsay and on to Oban. These are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry Terminal, Gourock, PA19 1QP. Tel: 0990 650000, or Kennacraig, Argyll, Tel: 01880 730253. Western Ferries operate a frequent daily car ferry servive from Port Askaig to Feolin on the Island of Jura. Separate leaflets give details of sailing times, but as these are subject to alteration, it is advisable to confirm direct with the shipping company concerned - there are sometimes additional services. Early bookings for cars are advisable during peak periods. British Airways Express operate two direct week day flights from Glasgow Airport to Islay. For times of departure and reservations apply to any British Airways office or travel agents.

Copyright © 2007, Port Askaig Hotel