Enjoy an action packed, fun filled, calendar of events on Islay and Jura.
Diary of What’s On
What’s On Islay: updated 11th March 2026
A Month by Month Guide to What’s Happening on Islay in 2026
Islay March 2026
Thursday 12th March Illustrated presentation and book launch of ‘Birds of Islay and Jura” at the Islay Natural History Trust, Port Charlotte. Author Peter Roberts will reveal more about the new book and how it came together at the free event which starts at 7.30pm. Pete will have books for sale on the night. There will be tea and cake afterwards and donations welcome at the door. www.islaynaturalhistory.org
Friday 13th March Live Music Night – Bridgend Hotel. Join us this Friday night for live music with Ewan Henderson, Brian Nicholson & Alasdair Murray 9pm – Midnight. Great tunes, great vibes – the perfect Friday night!! And don’t miss #fishfriday before the band starts. For dinner reservations, please call 01496810212
Friday 27th March and Saturday 28th March-
An evening of Music, Island Storytelling and Folklore. Join JamDram and Beyond the Blue for a unique evening of entertainment at Jura Village Hall. There will be a musical telling of an island story and a gentle comedy experience. Doors open 6.30pm for theatre bar, no entry after 7.15pm. Tickets £10 available from village shop (under 16s and concessions £6.
April
Wednesday 1st April – Islay Natural History Trust opens for the season.
Friday 3rd April Bingo at the Rhinns Hall, Portnahaven. Eyes down for a night of bingo which starts at 8pm.
Sunday 5th April Easter Duck Derby and family fun at Auction Mart, Bridgend. 1pm start (duck race down the river at 2pm). Quack your way to family fun this Easter , with a BBQ, bouncy castle and stalls – all organised by Bowmore Community Association. Ducks are £1 and race prizes are First – £100; 2nd – £50 and third – £25. Last duck across the line gets their £1 back.
Friday 22nd May to Sunday 31st May Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival. With events at each distillery throughout the festival plus cultural events celebrating local heritage, music, dance and more please visit the website more information: The Official Website of Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival
Sunday 31st May – Feis Day for Islay Ales/Laggan Bay, Glenegedale
June
June to September – Nature walks every Sunday organised by the Natural History Trust – for full details see the website www.islaynaturalhistory.org
July to September – Nature walks every Sunday organised by the Natural History Trust – for full details see the website www.islaynaturalhistory.org
July and August – family ‘Mini Wildlife Adventure’sessions on Thursdays at 2pm (details tbc. see website, or listings below) www.islaynaturalhistory.org
Sunday 5th July to Friday 10th July: Cantilena Festival – A Week of World-class Music on Islay – Every July the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay is home to Cantilena’s professional musicians and students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland who together bring their unique sound of chamber music to residents and visitors, with many of the concerts being held in the famous Islay Malt Whisky distilleries. Venues and music to be confirmed. Tickets go on sale in May 2026 – for details visit Cantilena Festival – A week of Classical Musicwww.cantilenafestival.co.uk
Aug to September – Nature walks every Sunday organised by the Natural History Trust – for full details see the website www.islaynaturalhistory.org
July and August – family ‘Mini Wildlife Adventure’sessions on Thursdays at 2pm (details tbc. see website, or listings below) www.islaynaturalhistory.org
Thursday 13th August – Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show – this annual event, now in its 178th year, showcases the best of the islands agricultural heritage and present with a host of craft and community events to delight visitors. It’s a not-to-be-missed event on the islands. See cattle, horses, sheep and dogs in the main judging ring. With handicrafts and hens, vegetables and home baking also coming under the judge’s keen eyes there is plenty to see, and plenty of silverware up for grabs. Around the main tents, showground and horse jumping ring you’ll find a host of entertainment from children’s rides and stalls, to food and drink, local groups and organisations, vintage vehicles and tractors and much more. It all takes place at the showground near Whin Park, Bridgend, Islay. Tickets can be bought on the day and there will be parking on the showground fields. For more information ISLAY ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW
Thursday 22nd August to Sunday 30th August Islay Book Festival – authors, venues and further details tbc. For more information visit Islay Book Festival www.islaybookfestival.co.uk
September
Throughout September – Nature walks every Sunday organised by the Natural History Trust – for full details see the website www.islaynaturalhistory.org
Saturday12th September Islay Marathon – Experience the beauty of the Queen of the Hebrides while running in one of the most scenic marathons in the world! It takes place on Saturday 12th September 2026. Starting at 10:30 from Bruichladdich you will run through Bridgend, Bowmore, along the low road, into Port Ellen before heading out and back to Ardbeg along the Three Distilleries path, finishing in Port Ellen. Strictly over 18s. Either run the whole race or recruit friends, family or colleagues to do a relay (relay members can be 15+ check entry rules). Enter online at Entry Central – search: Islay Marathon Islay Marathon – EntryCentral www.entrycentral.com/festival
Islay Jazz Festival – dates tbc. Enjoy a range of jazz styles being performed in venues across the island For more information Islay Jazz Festival – Jazz Scotland – www.jazzscotland.com/collections
Enjoy Jura’s Music Festival
Friday 25th September to Sunday 27th September – Jura Music festival. Programme tbc but expect music, dance and performance at this 32nd Jura Music Festival. For more information Home | Jura Music Festival (www.juramusicfestival.com)
October
Saturday 3rd October and Sunday 4th October Oktoberfest at Islay Ales, Glenegedale. Expect beers, music and food at this weekend event at the new Islay Ales brewery and Visitor Centre opposite the airport at Glenegedale, Islay. Islay Ales | Explore Islay & Jura
Ongoing:
Activities
Ceramic painting and Art Workshops at Persabus Pottery: Persabus Pottery is open for drop in or booked pottery painting sessions. Pottery Party Nights, Painting Workshops and Pottery Painting ‘Takeaways’ Fun for all the family at Persabus. Enjoy a pottery painting session. We can offer afternoons or evenings. Or why not choose a pottery takeaway? We supply all the materials, pack everything into a box for you to enjoy at home. We also have a wide range of island inspired ceramics on sale. Open Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 4pm ;Saturday 12noon to 3pm. For more info https://persabus.co.uk/pottery/.
Mindfulness and Art Workshops at Persabus Pottery ‘How Do you See the Sea?’ Enjoy capturing the textures, and patterns of the colourful tapestry of Islay’s coastline and seascapes. The shapes and form of beachy treasures through a variety of media combined with mindful exercises. Workshops can be booked on Monday afternoons 2pm to 3.30pm. To find out more read our article hereBooking essential as spaces limited
Tideline Mosaic and Felt Summer workshops: Try your hand at making a unique souvenir to take home. Workshops by Emma Baker are held in her garden studio a mile outside Port Ellen. To find out more see listings below or contact Emma on 07845036456 or email [email protected]
Swimming, gym and Sauna: MacTaggart Leisure Centre: 25m x8.5m four-lane pool; gym overlooking Loch Indaal – fully equipped with range of cardio and resistance machines. Five-seater Eco sauna. See website for times and more detailsFacilities | MacTaggart Leisure Centre
Museum of Islay Life – Find out more about the history of the island and its inhabitants and explore its extensive collection of artifacts. The museum, which is in a former church in Port Charlotte, is open every weekday from 10.30am to 4.30pm until the end of September. The newest exhibition is the ship’s bell from the Calmac ship MV Hebridean isles, donated to the Museum by CMAL after she was taken out of service earlier this year. Museum of Islay Life | Showing the history of Life on Islay
Islay Nature Centre, Port Charlotte – Open every day from 1pm to 4pm (from April 1 2026 throughout April and May). June – August open weekdays 10-4; Sept/Oct weekdays 1-4. Come and find out more about Islay’s flora and fauna and meet some of the sea creatures that inhabit our seas. Check the listings below for guided walks throughout the summer and mini wildlife adventures and other activities for children and families throughout July and August. The centre is free (entry by donation) and great for multiple visits, long or short visits rain or shine. During June to September there are Naturewalks on Sundays (exact locations tbc – see listings below). During July and August there are family ‘Mini Wildlife Adventure’ sessions on Thursdays at 2pm (details tbc. see website, or listings below) www.islaynaturalhistory.org
Finlaggan, Ballygrant: The Ancient Seat of the Lord of the Isles and the Cradle of Clan Donald. Visitor Centre is open Monday-Saturday 11-4.30. The Visitor Centre holds a wealth of information on the nearby historic site of Finlaggan detailing the rise and fall of the Lords of the Isles. There are artefacts on display and a virtual reality rendering of the site at the peak of MacDonald power in the mid-15th century. Access to the island is via the walkway. www.finlaggan.org
RSPB: Visit the RSPB nature reserves at The Oa and Loch Gruinart. Come and search for Eagles, chough, Hen Harrier and more, and learn about the conservation work they are carrying out to protect this amazing wildlife on the notice boards or at the Loch Gruinart visitor centre. For more information visit The Oa Nature Reserve, Islay, Argyll & Bute – The RSPB or Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve, Argyll & Bute – The RSPB (please note there are no guided walks this year)
Pilates – Pilates classes suitable for absolute beginners to experienced intermediates are held at Bruichladdich Hall every Thursday evening (6.30-7.30) and at MacTaggart Leisure Centre on Mondays 10-11 am. £8.50 per session. Run by Pilates With Hannah, a qualified level 3 mat pilates instructor. Visitors welcome, some mats available to borrow. Places limited so booking essential. Contact hannah on 07879628072 for more information or to book.
Boat trips
Islay Sea Adventures. From April 1 to October 31 sea adventure tours will run as follows: Wildlife Tours – Monday to Friday at 10AM and 2PM. Saturdays at 10AM; Seafood Tours – Fridays at 2PM; Fishing Tours – Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10AM and 2PM; Corryvreckan Tours – Set days each month to correlate with the spring tides. Take a trip to Staffa and Iona – tour dates are 9th May, 27th June, 10th July and 7th August. Private Charters – Available anytime. Islay Sea Adventures | Explore Islay & Jura (islayjura.com)
Jura Boat Tours From 5 May until 30 Sept. Wildlife tours are on every day. Corryvreckan are Sun, Tue & Thurs from Craighouse. Circumnavigate Jura is Wed from Craighouse and Mon & Fri from Port Askaig. Sunset Tours are available and will be advertised on social media or call for information. Private charters are available from April- Sept. Longer tours are passenger/weather dependent but Jura Boat Tours will always try to reschedule and do their best to ensure you get out on your trip. Jura Boat Tours | Explore Islay & Jura
Local produce/crafts
Handmade Scottish Tablet: An Gleann is open for the new season from Saturday April 1. Come and visit for some home grown preserves, a range of our own honey and beeswax gifts and, of course, lots of new season tablet! An Gleann Cottage Produce | Explore Islay & Jura (islayjura.com)
Islay Celtic Craft Shop, Portnahaven: Offering a wide range of unique art, souvenirs and gifts, the majority of which are handmade from natural materials sourced on Islay, the Celtic Craft Shop has been trading for over three decades. Open Mondays to Saturdays. Islay Celtic Gift and Craft Shop | Explore Islay & Jura
Windswept Farm, Port Charlotte, sells a range of island produce and Scottish produce, including meat reared on the farm, readymeals, deli produce, preserves and pickles and a range of gifts and handicrafts including crocheted items made on the farm. Windswept Farmshop Islay | Explore Islay & Jura
Music
Traditional Music every Wednesday and Sunday Night: Live traditional music at the Port Charlotte Hotel, Port Charlotte. Port Charlotte Hotel | Explore Islay & Jura (starts 22 March 2026)
Catholic services are held at the Episcopalian church, Bridgend at 4pm on the first and third Sunday of every month. Special services out with these times are available on the church notice board, outside the gate and posted on the community facebook page.
Islay Baptist Church has the following services: 10am every Sunday in Port Ellen (with Junior Church 4-16 year olds) and 6:30pm every Sunday in Bowmore
St John’s Church, Port Ellen welcomes everyone to their services of worship held each Sunday at 11.30am.
