Islay Festival Tuesday 26 May - Bowmore and Jura Distillery - Islay Ales

Wednesday the 27th was Bowmore Distillery’s Open Day. A 2009 Special Bottling of a rare 9 year old was offered, and is only available from Bowmore’s Visitor Centre. Distinctive Feis Ile distillery tours were available throughout the day, followed by Bowmore’s Bùrach Beag, where a dram, oysters, other nibbles and some music in Bowmore’s private garden eased visitors towards evening. Jura Distillery’s Open Days are held on wednesday and Thursday this week, with masterclasses, tastings and lunch with music for visitors. Islay Ales brewery’s Open Day offered brewery tours, pub games and barbeque at their premises in Islay House Square, Bridgend.

On Wednesday night, the best of Islay’s musical talent was showcased in an Evening of Gaelic Song and Traditional Music. The programme features Còisir Ghàidhlig Ìle, Islay’s senior Gaelic choir, and outstanding local traditional singers,both solo artistes and in duets and a quartet. Niall Oliver gave us some fiddle tunes and Ella Edgar’s Highland Dancers performed to enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.
The first of two sessions of Talk & Tasting by Ian MacIlwain, author of the newly published 'Bottled History' was held in Ballygrant Hall. The book includes pictures and stories gathered by author MacIlwain from over 50 distilleries. Signed copies will be available throughout Feis Ile.
A Texas Scramble was held at Machrie Golf Course, and a Young Persons Putting Competition took place at Port Ellen Playing Fields. Below a video by the Ileach Newspaper:

Bowmore Distillery Open Day 27th May from ileach newspaper on Vimeo.