Diary of What’s On

What’s On Islay: updated 1st June 2025

A Month by Month Guide to What’s Happening on Islay in 2025

Ceramic painting and Art Workshops at Persabus Pottery:

Pop along and enjoy some pottery, or book a creative art course and enjoy exploring a variety of mixed media art. We supply all the materials. At Persabus the pottery will be open for pottery painting workshops. Open Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 4pm ;Saturday 12noon to 3pm ; Explore your creativity with our pottery painting workshops, or why not book a space on one of our ‘Mindfulness and Art experiences’. More information can be found on our website http://79.170.44.88/persabus.co.uk/pottery/.

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

Islay Nature Centre, Port Charlotte – Open every day from 1pm to 4pm. Come and find out more about Islay’s flora and fauna and meet some of the sea creatures that inhabit our seas.

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

Pilates – Pilates classes suitable for absolute beginners to experienced intermediates are held at Bruichladdich Hall every Thursday (6.15-715 or 7.30-8.30pm) £8.50 per session. Run by Pilates With Hannah, a qualified level 3 mat pilates instructor. Visitors welcome, some mats available to borrow. Contact hannah on 07879628072 for more information or to book..

Thursday June 5 and Thursday June 12 – Art Workshop at RSPB Loch Gruinart 2pm to 5pm – if you love the amazing Islay scenery and are inspired by the incredible wildlife of this beautiful island, why not create your own unique souvenir and learn some new skills by joining local artist Dietmar Finger for an art workshop at Loch Gruinart nature reserve? He will guide you through your own sketch at a location around the reserve or in the visitor centre, depending on the weather. Workshops cost £35 per person with tuition and all materials included. Booking essential and under 16s must be accompanied. To book and for further information please email [email protected] or text to 073 9123 4749.

Saturday June 7 – Children’s event at Celtic House, Bowmore.  Join Sarah McIntyre at The Celtic House 2.30pm to 3.30pm  Get ready to draw a brave wee mouse character with this top-notch illustrator  Explore the mouse Islands and discover the inspiration behind this series of illustrated books  – Adventure Mice – by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. Bring your ideas for wonders and perils to create together a whole new adventure – you can brink your sketchbook (grownups too) if you’d like to show her drawings you’ve made. There will be treats and after the party co-author Sarah will be happy to sign, doodle and dedicate books. Entry is free  but please book tickets through [email protected]

Friday June 27 – Sunday 29^th The Machrie Open at Another Place The Machrie, Islay: An individual three-day event to put your game to the test on our championship links at the height of the Hebridean summer, when the course is in peak condition and the days at their longest. Our flagship Open competition is a true 36-hole challenge – perfect for those chasing a low score as well as enthusiasts just looking for a great weekend of golf in stunning surroundings. 

Enter online: https://another.place/the-machrie/blog/golf-events-at-another-place-the-machrie

July 2025

Sunday July 6 to Friday July 11 Cantilena Festival – Enjoy 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. Tickets on sale from June. Find out more here Cantilena Festival – A week of Classical Music

August 2025

Wednesday August 6, Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show. This year sees the 177^th annual show – 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. ISLAY ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW

Friday August 8th to Sunday August 10th – Rhinns Lighthouse Festival.  Opening with a traditional Ceilidh at the Rhinns Hall, the weekend of events to mark the Bicentenary of the Rhinns Lighthouse includes and Exhibition, Sports Gala, Storytelling & Song, Live Music at An Tigh Seinnse and a Street Party and Island trips from Bun Othan Coastal path.  For more information see Rhinns Lighthouse Festival on Facebook or Instagram.

Thursday August 28 to Sunday August 31 – Islay Book Festival. Authors and events still to be announced, so keep an eye out on this site (2025 Book Festival – Islay Book Festival) and on social media for updates. Or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know!

Islay Jazz Festival

19th – 22nd September

Enjoy a long weekend of Jazz and Blues at the Islay Jazz Festival

October 2025

Friday October 3-Sunday October 5 Machrie Team Championship at Another Place The Machrie, Islay – End the season in style, and come together with your chosen team of four players on our championship links for a challenging, and camaraderie-boosting, group golf competition with three rounds over three days. 

Enter online: https://another.place/the-machrie/blog/golf-events-at-another-place-the-machrie

Friday October 3 – Monday October 6 Mindfulness and meditation break -Learn and experience mindfulness practices that inspire every-day living, guided by meditation and mindfulness instructor Laurie Bell. Take three nights to concentrate on conscious living and integrated health amidst Islay’s inspiring landscape. Taking place at Another Place, The Machrie.

More information: https://another.place/the-machrie/breaks-offers/mindfulness-and-meditation-break

Friday October 10 – Photography and wildlife break – Get to know Islay’s wildlife and landscape – as well as your camera – as your explore the mediums of landscape and wildlife photography, refining your composition, lighting and other technical skills. Led by Islay photographer Ben Shakespeare and wildlife expert and RSPB warden David Dinsley.

More information: https://another.place/the-machrie/breaks-offers/photography-and-wildlife-break