Diary of What’s On

What’s On Islay: updated 10th November 2025

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

Ceramic painting and Art Workshops at Persabus Pottery:

Christmas Pottery Party Nights and Festive Pottery Events and Takeaways

Festive fun for all the family at Persabus. Enjoy a pottery painting session and create unique and personal Christmas Gifts. We can offer afternoons or evenings 7 days a week, (booking essential)

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 perfect for Christmas shopping

At Persabus the pottery will be open Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 4pm ;Saturday 12noon to 3pm http://persabus.co.uk/pottery/.

Mindfulness and Art Workshops: Persabus Pottery

‘How Do you See the Sea?’ Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring your creative process. 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 throughout the year. To find out more read our article here

Booking essential as spaces limited

Tideline Mosaic and Felt workshops: Try your hand at making a unique souvenir or book on one of her exciting Christmas mosaic workshops. Emma Baker holds her workshops in her lovely garden studio setting, just a mile outside Port Ellen. To find out more 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

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.

Local produce/crafts

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

The Blue Letterbox at Port Ellen sells artisan crafts and gifts from makers across the islands. The Blue Letterbox | 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

Enjoy a range of beauty treatments at Elysium Therapies in Port Ellen

Massage | Complementary And Beauty Therapy | Port Ellen

November and December

Winter Fairs on Islay

There’s always lots of exciting events on Islay in the run up to Christmas.

Bruichladdich Hall Christmas Fayre 16th November

Enjoy teas, coffees, home baking, mulled wine whilst you browse the stalls which will include jewellery, art, crafts, Christmas goods, gifts, Islay chocolate and marmalade, cards and more. 11am – 4pm

Lagavulin Festive Weekend

Thursday 27th November to Sunday 29th November

Enjoy visiting Lagavullin Distillery for winter cocktails, festive treats and more Christmas surprises plus 20% off in store. See more here https://www.malts.com/en-gb/christmas-events

Laphroaig Winter fair

Enjoy the excitement of the build up to Christmas on Islay with Laphroaig’s Christmas Fayre, an annual event, which takes place on Saturday 29th November 11am – 4pm in the gorgeously cosy setting of Laphroaig Distillery’s visitor centre.

Enjoy browsing the local craft stalls, with carols from the local primary school children, and of course there’s an exciting range of Christmas gift ideas in the Distillery shop to cover all your Christmas shopping .

Get into the Festive Spirit with this exciting event.

Caol Ila Festive Weekend

Friday 5th December to Sunday 7th December –

Enjoy Baubles and Bubbles with a glass of prosecco and a festive bauble painting workshop as Persabus Pottery host exciting workshops at Caol ila Distillery.

Visit the distillery for winter cocktails, festive treats and more Christmas surprises, plus 20% off in store. See more here https://www.malts.com/en-gb/christmas-events

Festive Season Events at Kilchoman Distillery

Festive Afternoon Teas must be booked at least 24 hours in advance by phoning 01496 850011 or emailing [email protected]

Festive Afternoons

7th and 8th December Rag Wreath Making with Camella Crafts

To book phone or text Elaine on 07769851351

14th and 15th December – Willow Star workshops with Justine Holdsworth Saturday kids’ session and Sunday adults’ session

To book head to Kilchoman Distillery’s website

21st and 22nd December Paint and Sip with Heather Ogilvie to book phone Heather on 0789160121 or visit the Kilchoman website