Diary of What’s On

What’s On Islay: updated 1st July 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://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 will run every Monday throughout July at Persabus Pottery from 2.00pm to 3.30pm.

Booking 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

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

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, has undergone refurbishment this winter. Keep checking the website for updates Museum of Islay Life | Showing the history of Life on Islay

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..

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

Thursday July 10: Mosaic Plaque workshop (indoor use plaques) 2-4.30pm £35 per person, all instruction and materials provided. Three participants minimum required for workshops to run. Length of workshop is approximate and may run on longer. £20 deposit per person secures your booking and booking is essential. Workshops are run by Emma Baker in her garden studio a mile outside Port Ellen, Islay. For more information or to book contact Emma on [email protected] or call her on 07845036456

Sunday July 20: Mosaic Birdbath workshop. 2pm to 4.30pm £40 per person. See above for booking information.

Sunday July 27: Felted Peatland/Meadow Landscapes. Make your own piece of unique felted artwork at this workshop. 2pm to 4.30pm. £40 per person. See above for more details and booking information.

Thursday July 31: Felted Seascape Workshop. Make your won piece of unique felted artwork. 2pm to 4.30pm. £40 per person. See above for more details and booking information.

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