Island Do Two - Islay 20-23rd July
Feb 8, 2007, 12:08 pm
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
Island Do Two - Islay 20-23rd July
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are pleased to announce the
Island Do Two
The venue this time is Islay – one of the southernmost of the Hebrides. Well known for its seven distilleries, it’s also quite a bit larger than Barra. There’s a Loganair service into Islay airport – the one Prince Charles crashed at for those interested – from Glasgow. Unfortunately, not such good tier point opportunities – but it is on a Saab 340, so we will not be so limited for seats as when we were going to Barra. Oh, and it’s pronounced Eye-la
Dates – 20-23rd of July
Timetable of activities
Friday:
15:30 - Tour of Ardbeg distillery
19:30 - Dinner at Harbour Inn, Bowmore
Saturday:
Tour of Bowmore distillery
20:00 Dinner at Machrie Hotel
Sunday:
To be decided!
Do website, including downloadable pdf:
http://web.mac.com/jenbel/iWeb/Islay/Welcome.html
Weekdays there are 3 flights per day – weekends one flight.
GLA-ILY
Friday 20th July – 0830, 1420 and 1700
Saturday 21st July – 0830
Sunday 22nd July – 1700
ILY – GLA
Saturday 21st July – 0940
Sunday 22nd July – 1815
Monday 23rd July – 0940, 1530 and 1810
If you want to come up on the Saturday from London, you will need to night stop in Glasgow – there’s not an early enough flight up to allow a connection through…
Prices – From London:
Arriving Friday (on the early flights, so you arrive on Islay on the Friday), returning Sunday or Monday – currently around £116
Arriving Saturday, returning Sunday or Monday - £160
Do check out booking through AA, it may be possible to get a cheaper fare.
Accommodation:
There’s only one hotel on the island big enough to take a group this size – the Machrie Hotel (www.machrie.com). It’s located close to the airport, but is pretty remote from everywhere else – currently, there are 10 twin rooms, five doubles and nine lodges available for this weekend.
Rates:
Per person for rooms:
1 night £59
2 nights £112
3 nights £165
If you are travelling alone and wish a room to yourself there is a £12.50 per night single supplement.
Another option would be the lodges – these sleep four in two twin bedded rooms. Rates per night for the lodge are:
1 night £110
2 nights £199
3 nights £285
If you want to get groups together to share lodges, I’m happy to act as a lodge consolidator, to form groups (randomly) together. Let me know if you’d be happy to be in a lodge, and what dates you intend to be there for, and I’ll let you know as and when groups are formed, so you can go ahead and book.
Please note – it will be up to you guys to book your own flights and accommodation for this trip. Please let me know if and when you’ve booked – I’ll try and keep track of the rooms available. And yes, the hotel does take Amex. However there is an interesting note on the hotel website about requiring a £50/person deposit – it’s unclear if this is for lodges only or for rooms as well.
Activities:
Obviously, we’ve got to do one distillery tour… and possibly two if we can fit them both in on the Saturday. It may be possible to either hire a people carrier on the island (at about £60/day) or possibly bring a minibus over from the mainland to provide transport. We obviously have a number of distilleries to chose from – I’m intending visiting Bowmore, which a more middle of the road Islay malt, distilled in the main centre of population for the island (which also gives those interested in sight-seeing a chance for a look around – it’s got a completely circular church for example, built so that the devil cannot hide in the corners). Unfortunately, the most distinctive malts (Laphroaig and Lagavullin) are either closed in July/August or don’t have tours on a Saturday – but that does still leave us Ardbeg, Kilchoman and Bruichladdich to choose from!
Sunday is likely to be a lot less organised. There’s some good walking on the island, and anyone who wants to go wildlife watching, I’ll have a look around to see what there is at that time of year – seals are guaranteed anyway, and I’m perfectly willing to see what else I can find you. The hotel is in an area of machair, does have a golf course, and is close to a fabulous beach… so suggestions welcome!
So who’s interested then?
Other links:
www.ba.com - for flight booking
www.americanairlines.co.uk - also for flight booking
www.machrie.com - for hotel information
http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/islay.htm - general island information
http://www.isle-of-islay.com/map/index.html - map of Islay
We are pleased to announce the
Island Do Two
The venue this time is Islay – one of the southernmost of the Hebrides. Well known for its seven distilleries, it’s also quite a bit larger than Barra. There’s a Loganair service into Islay airport – the one Prince Charles crashed at for those interested – from Glasgow. Unfortunately, not such good tier point opportunities – but it is on a Saab 340, so we will not be so limited for seats as when we were going to Barra. Oh, and it’s pronounced Eye-la
Dates – 20-23rd of July
Timetable of activities
Friday:
15:30 - Tour of Ardbeg distillery
19:30 - Dinner at Harbour Inn, Bowmore
Saturday:
Tour of Bowmore distillery
20:00 Dinner at Machrie Hotel
Sunday:
To be decided!
Do website, including downloadable pdf:
http://web.mac.com/jenbel/iWeb/Islay/Welcome.html
Weekdays there are 3 flights per day – weekends one flight.
GLA-ILY
Friday 20th July – 0830, 1420 and 1700
Saturday 21st July – 0830
Sunday 22nd July – 1700
ILY – GLA
Saturday 21st July – 0940
Sunday 22nd July – 1815
Monday 23rd July – 0940, 1530 and 1810
If you want to come up on the Saturday from London, you will need to night stop in Glasgow – there’s not an early enough flight up to allow a connection through…
Prices – From London:
Arriving Friday (on the early flights, so you arrive on Islay on the Friday), returning Sunday or Monday – currently around £116
Arriving Saturday, returning Sunday or Monday - £160
Do check out booking through AA, it may be possible to get a cheaper fare.
Accommodation:
There’s only one hotel on the island big enough to take a group this size – the Machrie Hotel (www.machrie.com). It’s located close to the airport, but is pretty remote from everywhere else – currently, there are 10 twin rooms, five doubles and nine lodges available for this weekend.
Rates:
Per person for rooms:
1 night £59
2 nights £112
3 nights £165
If you are travelling alone and wish a room to yourself there is a £12.50 per night single supplement.
Another option would be the lodges – these sleep four in two twin bedded rooms. Rates per night for the lodge are:
1 night £110
2 nights £199
3 nights £285
If you want to get groups together to share lodges, I’m happy to act as a lodge consolidator, to form groups (randomly) together. Let me know if you’d be happy to be in a lodge, and what dates you intend to be there for, and I’ll let you know as and when groups are formed, so you can go ahead and book.
Please note – it will be up to you guys to book your own flights and accommodation for this trip. Please let me know if and when you’ve booked – I’ll try and keep track of the rooms available. And yes, the hotel does take Amex. However there is an interesting note on the hotel website about requiring a £50/person deposit – it’s unclear if this is for lodges only or for rooms as well.
Activities:
Obviously, we’ve got to do one distillery tour… and possibly two if we can fit them both in on the Saturday. It may be possible to either hire a people carrier on the island (at about £60/day) or possibly bring a minibus over from the mainland to provide transport. We obviously have a number of distilleries to chose from – I’m intending visiting Bowmore, which a more middle of the road Islay malt, distilled in the main centre of population for the island (which also gives those interested in sight-seeing a chance for a look around – it’s got a completely circular church for example, built so that the devil cannot hide in the corners). Unfortunately, the most distinctive malts (Laphroaig and Lagavullin) are either closed in July/August or don’t have tours on a Saturday – but that does still leave us Ardbeg, Kilchoman and Bruichladdich to choose from!
Sunday is likely to be a lot less organised. There’s some good walking on the island, and anyone who wants to go wildlife watching, I’ll have a look around to see what there is at that time of year – seals are guaranteed anyway, and I’m perfectly willing to see what else I can find you. The hotel is in an area of machair, does have a golf course, and is close to a fabulous beach… so suggestions welcome!
So who’s interested then?
Other links:
www.ba.com - for flight booking
www.americanairlines.co.uk - also for flight booking
www.machrie.com - for hotel information
http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/islay.htm - general island information
http://www.isle-of-islay.com/map/index.html - map of Islay
Last edited by Jenbel; Jul 15, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Feb 8, 2007, 12:08 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
Attendees
Jenbel (+ Sheep)
Moomba
Prospero
AJLondon
Swanhunter (but may not acknowledge us
)
jhm
Traveloguy
studio76
phaleesy
monitor + Franny
RestlessinRNO
Aerotec (possible)
Steady-EDI
lots@LHR
Jenbel (+ Sheep)
Moomba
Prospero
AJLondon
Swanhunter (but may not acknowledge us
)jhm
Traveloguy
studio76
phaleesy
monitor + Franny
RestlessinRNO
Aerotec (possible)
Steady-EDI
lots@LHR
Last edited by Jenbel; Jul 18, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Feb 8, 2007, 12:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Yes Please 
Outbound on Fri early afternoon arrival
Back Sun evening
Thanks as ever for organising Jenbel you are a:-:
Outbound on Fri early afternoon arrival
Back Sun evening
Thanks as ever for organising Jenbel you are a:-:
Last edited by Moomba; Feb 8, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Feb 8, 2007, 12:10 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
Flights:
Outbound
20th July
LHR-GLA 1496
jhm
phaleesy
LGW-GLA 2958
Moomba
LCY-GLA 8730
studio76
Traveloguy
GLA-ILY 8925
Jenbel/Sheep
Moomba
Prospero
RestlessinRNO
GLA-ILY 8927
monitor
Franny
21st July
GLA-ILY 8921
jhm
AJLondon
studio76
Traveloguy
phaleesy
Return
21st July
ILY-GLA 8922
Prospero
22nd July
ILY-GLA 8928
Moomba
jhm
AJLondon
studio76
Traveloguy
phaleesy
RestlessinRNO
GLA-LHR 1497
Moomba
jhm
studio76
Traveloguy
phaleesy
RestlessinRNO
23rd July
ILY-GLA 8922
monitor
Franny
ILY-GLA 8926
Jenbel/Sheep
GLA-LHR 1483
monitor
Franny
Outbound
20th July
LHR-GLA 1496
jhm
phaleesy
LGW-GLA 2958
Moomba
LCY-GLA 8730
studio76
Traveloguy
GLA-ILY 8925
Jenbel/Sheep
Moomba
Prospero
RestlessinRNO
GLA-ILY 8927
monitor
Franny
21st July
GLA-ILY 8921
jhm
AJLondon
studio76
Traveloguy
phaleesy
Return
21st July
ILY-GLA 8922
Prospero
22nd July
ILY-GLA 8928
Moomba
jhm
AJLondon
studio76
Traveloguy
phaleesy
RestlessinRNO
GLA-LHR 1497
Moomba
jhm
studio76
Traveloguy
phaleesy
RestlessinRNO
23rd July
ILY-GLA 8922
monitor
Franny
ILY-GLA 8926
Jenbel/Sheep
GLA-LHR 1483
monitor
Franny
Last edited by Jenbel; Feb 23, 2007 at 12:52 am
Feb 8, 2007, 12:22 pm
#5
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,213
I'm definitely up for this - Island do's rock!
Thanks Jenbel ^ ^
Heads up: Loganair bookings do not incur BA's £15 offline fee or the £3 credit card surcharge.
Thanks Jenbel ^ ^
Heads up: Loganair bookings do not incur BA's £15 offline fee or the £3 credit card surcharge.
Feb 8, 2007, 12:29 pm
#7
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,213
Sorry! You are absolutely correct - I phrased that terribly. I'll try again. 
Book offline at BA and you won't incur the £15 booking fee or the £3 credit card fee.
Book offline at BA and you won't incur the £15 booking fee or the £3 credit card fee.
Feb 8, 2007, 12:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
Hi Folks,
Years ago I spent a whole month on Isaly and stayed at the Machrie Hotel. It was fantastic. The selection of whisky behind the bar is very good and the breakfast is well worth the trip.
I will not be going as I will just be back from my holiday in the USA which is a pity as I live in Glasgow and so easy for me to travel.
Hope you all enjoy it.
regards
Years ago I spent a whole month on Isaly and stayed at the Machrie Hotel. It was fantastic. The selection of whisky behind the bar is very good and the breakfast is well worth the trip.
I will not be going as I will just be back from my holiday in the USA which is a pity as I live in Glasgow and so easy for me to travel.
Hope you all enjoy it.
regards
Last edited by Radioman; Feb 8, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Feb 8, 2007, 12:33 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,449
Ohhhhhh. Islay. Island of Bunnanbhain and Port Ellen. Very tempting, if only as a chance to show those who like JW Blue what real whisky tastes like.
Put me as very interesting but not confirmed owing to being too close to my birthday (and my mothers).
Put me as very interesting but not confirmed owing to being too close to my birthday (and my mothers).
Feb 8, 2007, 12:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SCL, MCT, LGW and a variety of 1W lounges in between.
Programs: BA Mucci (Seigneur et Ingenieur des Appareils Volants (Gold)), QF (WP and LTG), AA EXP, GF Gold
Posts: 3,931
You might just spot a well known radio personality on the island at the same time and a "friend"...
I hope you all pay attention to the safety briefing... questions may be asked in the Friday evening quiz!
Off to swat up on airline colour schemes of the Orient.
Spottie
PS And this time, when I say that I will be bringing a load of fruits with me on my flight ....
I hope you all pay attention to the safety briefing... questions may be asked in the Friday evening quiz!
Off to swat up on airline colour schemes of the Orient.
Spottie
PS And this time, when I say that I will be bringing a load of fruits with me on my flight ....
Feb 8, 2007, 1:04 pm
#11
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Scurry away to look up flight options. With the flights to Islay being from GLA it is gonna be a lot of connections.
If I leave on 19th I can get to Islay 36 hours & 5 flights later, Sunday return flight is too late to connect, return instead on 23rd and get back home 40 hours & 4 flights later. Dang - not enough leave to pull it off
If I leave on 19th I can get to Islay 36 hours & 5 flights later, Sunday return flight is too late to connect, return instead on 23rd and get back home 40 hours & 4 flights later. Dang - not enough leave to pull it off
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Feb 8, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Feb 8, 2007, 1:07 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SCL, MCT, LGW and a variety of 1W lounges in between.
Programs: BA Mucci (Seigneur et Ingenieur des Appareils Volants (Gold)), QF (WP and LTG), AA EXP, GF Gold
Posts: 3,931
Feb 8, 2007, 2:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Posts: 2,809
Having read about and watched the Barra video, I've been looking forward to such a Do! Many thanks to Jenbel :-: for organising. I'm booked:
BA1496 - Fri 20 July
LHR 20:20
GLA 21:40
BA8921 - Sat 21 July
GLA 08:30
ILY 09:15
BA8928 - Sun 22 July
ILY 18:15
GLA 19:00
BA1497 - Sun 22 July
GLA 19:50
LHR 21:15
When I selected a multi-city itinerary on ba.com, it wouldn't book the last two flights (claiming a MCT of 90 mins) so I booked through aa.com for the same price - £131.
I currently have a flexible reservation on Fri night at the Hilton Glasgow hotel unless anyone has any better suggestions. (No SPG!)
BA1496 - Fri 20 July
LHR 20:20
GLA 21:40
BA8921 - Sat 21 July
GLA 08:30
ILY 09:15
BA8928 - Sun 22 July
ILY 18:15
GLA 19:00
BA1497 - Sun 22 July
GLA 19:50
LHR 21:15
When I selected a multi-city itinerary on ba.com, it wouldn't book the last two flights (claiming a MCT of 90 mins) so I booked through aa.com for the same price - £131.
I currently have a flexible reservation on Fri night at the Hilton Glasgow hotel unless anyone has any better suggestions. (No SPG!)
Feb 8, 2007, 2:42 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
Also if there are a number of you the "Yen" is great but you can also go across the river to Masala Jacks (nice new Indian resturant).
regards