Diary of What’s On

What’s On Islay: updated 26th October 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 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

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.

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

October 2025

Halloween Pottery Takeaway kits and Pottery Painting Evenings and Parties

Throughout October we have lots of exciting Halloween ghouls and ghosts making their way onto the pottery shelves at Persabus Pottery. Persabus Pottery is open Tues to Fri 12noon to 4pm and 12noon to 3pm on Saturday. Pop along for some painting fun in our ceramic stuido, or book a party night for you and your pals.

Fancy a pottery painting session in the comfort of your own home? Pop along and select a pottery painting takeaway kit, choose your shapes and paint colours and we will pop it all into a box with brushes and sponges for a fun painting exeperince

Get in touch Persabus Pottery

Hallow-Weekend starts at the Lochindaal Hotel

Friday 31st October from 8pm. Come in costume, prizes for best dressed (please note ‘farmer’ is not a costume!)

Bridgend Hotel, Katie’s Bar

Friday 31st October– Hallowe’en disco with DJ Kerry in Katie’s Bar at Bridgend Hotel. From 9.30pm onwards, Prizes for best costume.

November

Firework Displays and Bonfires

Friday 7th November Keills bonfire and fireworks in Persabus field, opposite Lifeboat Houses. All welcome

Wednesday 5th November Port Ellen Bonfire and Fireworks

6.30pm at the New Pavillion, Port Ellen. Homemade soup, hot chocolate, home baking and hot drinks.

Donations towards next year’s display

Fireworks on the Green Port Charlotte

Wednesday 5th November fireworks on the green at Port Charlotte next to the Port Charlotte Hotel. This is a local community fundraiser and all are very welcome to join. Donations on the night are much appreciated. There will be drinks, refreshments and home baking available.

The Islay Sessions

November 7-9 – Islay sessions Marking 10 years since Islay lost its dear friend musician Fraser Shaw. The Islay Sessions 7th–9th November 2025, bringing together friends, family and the wider community to celebrate his music, his memory and the island he loved. The weekend will be packed with tunes, drams and good company so come and join us.

Friday – Nae Plans @ Port Charlotte Hotel (SOLD OUT)
Saturday – Whisky & Gin Tasting Bruichladdich Distillery (2–4pm) + The Maverick Angels, The Islay Sessioners & guests @ Bruichladdich Village Hall (Doors 7pm)
Sunday – A Toast at Fraser’s Cairn (12 noon) + Sunday Funday Open Session @ Port Charlotte Hotel (2pm)
 Find tickets and details at FraserShawTrust.com

Winter Fairs on Islay

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

Ardnahoe Winter Fair

Celebrating winter and all things festive the visitor centre at Ardnahoe open their doors to an exciting winter fair on Saturday 8th November

Enjoy hot chocolate, whisky and a fantastic selection of local artisan products. Enjoy meeting Islay community’s artists, jewellers and designers who have gorgeous pop-up stalls for the day, and of course there’s an opportunity to purchase all those Christmas gifts. There are loads of unique ideas for Christmas presents and more.

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.

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