Ok guys,
Time to start getting a bit of organisation to this, I was going to leave it until after the Skye trip but a couple of phone calls and emails has prompted me to get my ass in gear so we don't miss out on ferry trips etc.
As it stands just now we should be looking to depart from the usual meeting place (Stirling services FK7 8ET) no later than 9am on Friday 2nd November.......Edit
I mean
September, I would advise that you take this opportunity to brim your tank. We will be catching the 13:00 hrs ferry and the drive to the ferry terminal according to Google maps to approximatly 3 hours, however experience has taught me to allow plenty of time for photo stops etc so I would like to allow 4 hours min for the drive. I have looked at all available campsites on Islay and I would reccomend we stay at this
Campsite links on the site for local B&Bs hotels etc, campsite 10 minute walk from town.
You will notice on the website the cost to camp here is £8 per adult per night, However I have negotiated a discount with the campsite that we will pay £6 per night per adult as long as we have a minimum of 10 tents pitched. I also requested a list of the site rules and I will email this to all who are going closer to the time.
there is no need to book the campsite as thay have already provisionaly booked it for me and all i have to do is let them know how many will be attending.
I have spoken to Cal mac ferries but I am also still trying to negotiate a group booking discount, as it stands the normal cost for a car and 2 people return is £120. The ferry is not operating to Port Ellen at the moment due to work being carried out at Port Ellen so we will be landing at Port Askaig. Cal mac tell me that the ferry carries 68 vehicles and advise we book sooner rather than later (the early morning ferry is already fully booked). we should be looking to to get the 09:45 ferry back to the main land on Sunday 4th. This gets you back to Kennacraig for 11:30, thus allowing good time for those with a lot a distance to travel onwards. Remember there is only 2 ways on and off the Island Ferry or plane.
ferry info
I am still currently awaiting replies from some of the distilleries reference tours etc and will update you on my progress, I am looking to do a distillery visit on the Saturday, variuos distilleries do different kinds of tours at different rates, the standard tour for most comes in at around the £5 - £10 mark, I would personally recommend Bowmore and Caol Ila distilleries but the guy at the campsite reccomends Bruichladich. The tours on average last about an hour and "specialst tours can be 2 -3 hours.
If people are happy enough to go along with any tour I organise then fair enough, let me know by PM that you are up for a tour and I will do all the booking and organising, If However you are a whisky freak and would prefer to organise your own for a more specialst tour (these cancost as much as £40).
Saturday will be a day of driving around the Island in possibly 1 or 2 groups (distillery tour incorporated) or There are plenty of things to do such as walking cyclying, bird watching sight seeing, so if you want to take off on your own then feel free to do so.
So what do I need from you.
1. A "definatly going" post. stating if camping
2. Yes I want you to organise a distillery tour and perhaps a preference for which distillery. / no thanks I will organise my own / no thanks I would rather be driving my car.
Further details will be posted as and when I get them. if you have any further questions at this point then let me know.
Generally when we get to Islay on the friday it will be mid to late afternoon. this will be regarded as do what you want time but I thought it might be a good Idea to take along a couple of Disposable BBQs and and have a bit of a beer and BBQ on the campsite from a about 6 pm onwards (Weather and Midges permitting)
I would advise you give the campsite website a good read as this gives alot of information of what is available for eats on and off the site.
