Islay Weblog News Feed

Islay TV New Video - French Islay Documentary

ron — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:16:54 +0000

Although a bit hidden away in a previous post about the eight new Islay websites, I am very happy with the new Islay video website, www.islay.tv, and I hope you share my enthusiasm a bit. Besides the reasons given earlier the new site provides me with an opportunity to upload videos with an unlimited length, something for instance Youtube doesn't offer. Perhaps you remember ...

Snow rain and tears in the Cote d'Azur

ron — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:06:42 +0000

Jeremy Hastings: I was really really looking forward to training with David in Nice. We had been invited to join a pro training camp based at the great Tour De France, Giro D'italia and World Champion, Stephen Roche's hotel and it meant we were to have some quality, dry hard miles in the Alpes Maritimes. Fabulous!

Sadly David was still carrying his injury from the crash he sustained in Snowdonia. Luckily enough our team soigneur a...

Eight New Islay Websites and Islay TV

ron — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:00:01 +0000

I have been neglecting mentioning new Islay websites somewhat which doesn't mean that there aren't any. In fact, I now have eight new sites I'd like to mention and there are a couple more coming online soon. All the more reason for a proper round-up. From the accommodation front I have four new sites, there are two new business sites, one wildlife site and there is Islay's new TV station, well sort of. Find out more in my scribbles below!

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Islay Whisky News from Kilchoman and Ardbeg

ron — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:03:44 +0000

I have a couple of interesting Islay whisky news items for you. The first one comes from Kilchoman Distillery: "We are delighted to announce that John MacLellan will be joining us as General Manager. John has worked in the whisky industry for over 20 years and for the past 12 years he has been the manager at Bunnahabhain, so brings with him lots of experience. He starts on the 3rd of May and will be responsible for the day to day running of th...

Ardbeg Gourmet Ride with Graeme Obree

ron — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:01:45 +0000

Islay already has many events, festivals and other festivities and yet there is still room for more. There are always the weeks in between the festivals and other celebrations that can be used for something new, or should I say something recycled. I use the word recycled on purpose since the succesful Ride of the Falling Rain, organised by brian palmer and his partne...

Linkspan refurbishment at Port Ellen

ron — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:52:14 +0000

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd is currently carrying out a refurbishment of the existing linkspan at Port Ellen. The work started in February as CalMac already operated a reduced service during this month and early March due to a vessel refit and, not really planned, the necessary repairs of the Isle of Arran ferry after it hit the pier at Kennacraig. You can find an image of the Isle of Arran ferry lined up at James Watt Dock on the ...

The Remote North-East by John Muir

ron — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:28:22 +0000

I found a fantastic travel report about a trip to the remote north-east of Islay titled backpacking, bothying and bongoing on Islay. A trip that was nearly cancelled due to a 3hr traffic jam in Glasgow but the author managed to arrive on time at Kennacraig. Imagine the contrast between the busy city centre one day and walking alone in some of the remotest areas of the island on the next day. John Muir did just that, wrote a...

To Ferry or not to Ferry to Port Ellen

ron — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:11:55 +0000

The Islay ferry, ferry ports, ferry routes and ferry review keep the Islay community very busy. Week after week we find articles in the Ileach Newspaper, and this blog, with opinions, protests and ...

Robin Laing at Bruichladdich Distillery

ron — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:51:23 +0000

As the title says, Robin Laing, singer and writer, was present at Bruichladdich Distillery during the Islay Festival of 2009 and sings the song Turquoise Frame of Mind. Robin says that Turqoise, the colour used by Bruichladdich, makes you happy and peaceful. Find out what else he says and most of all sings in the video below which shows the relaxed atmosphere at the Islay Festival. For information about Robin, his books, albums and more, visit www.robinlaing.com. Enjoy!

A Local View on the Port Ellen Pier Reconstruction

ron — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:17:21 +0000

(Check out updates below) You probably remember the CMAL Port Ellen Business Case Summary which I published a year ago. In this business summary you'll find several options for the reconstruction of Port Ellen including sketches of possible future port layouts. Since then a lot has been written about the ferry...