# Port Askaig, Islay Port Askaig is Islay's northern ferry port and the gateway to Jura. The Port Askaig Hotel with Sound of Islay views, the 5-minute Jura crossing, and Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Ardnahoe distilleries within 10 minutes. Source: https://portbahnislay.co.uk/explore-islay/port-askaig > Port Askaig is small, quiet, and arguably more dramatic than Port Ellen — the Sound of Islay at its feet, the Paps of Jura across the water. ## Port Askaig — The Northern Ferry Port & Jura Crossing Port Askaig is the northern ferry port — small, quiet, and arguably more dramatic than Port Ellen. The terminal sits on the Sound of Islay with the Paps of Jura directly across the water, often visible above the village. It's also the departure point for the 5-minute crossing to Jura. Port Askaig itself is a single working settlement: the ferry pier, the Port Askaig Hotel, a small shop and post office, the slipway for the Jura ferry. It is approximately 25 minutes' drive from our Bruichladdich properties — a scenic crossing through the centre of Islay. ## What's at Port Askaig ## What's Here Port Askaig Hotel — Steps from the ferry terminal, with a bar looking straight across the Sound of Islay to Jura. The view is one of the best on the island. The hotel bar is dog-friendly and welcomes walk-ins; the restaurant takes bookings. A good place to decompress before the drive after the ferry. Port Askaig Stores — Small general store and post office on the pier. Limited stock but useful for essentials if you've just arrived. ## The Jura Ferry The Port Askaig–Feolin crossing to Jura runs throughout the day, with sailings roughly once an hour — arrive 10 minutes before departure. It is a 5-minute crossing, no booking needed for foot passengers, and cars are sold on a first-come first-served basis. Bring binoculars for the crossing — bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and basking sharks are all occasionally visible in the Sound. ## North Coast Distilleries & Bunnahabhain Stromatolites ## The North Coast Whisky Cluster Three distilleries sit on the north coast within 10 minutes' drive of Port Askaig: Caol Ila (highly mechanised, large output, Diageo-owned), Bunnahabhain (smaller, traditionally unpeated, on the shore beyond Caol Ila), and Ardnahoe (opened 2018, owned by Hunter Laing, with a striking visitor centre looking across the Sound). A north-coast distillery day from Port Askaig is shorter and less famous than the south-coast cluster, but the views are better — the road skirts the Sound of Islay throughout, with the Paps of Jura across the water and seal-spotted rocks all the way. ## The Bunnahabhain Stromatolites At the head of the Bunnahabhain road, rock outcrops on the shore contain fossilised stromatolites — layered microbial mats from approximately 1.2 billion years ago, among the oldest macroscopic fossils in Britain. Park at Bunnahabhain Distillery, walk through the yard, take the gate onto the rough coastal path, and the first exposures appear about 50 metres in. Best at low tide. Combine with a Bunnahabhain tour for a north-coast day spanning 1.2 billion years and a dram. Port Askaig is the natural arrival point for anyone heading on to Jura, the natural departure point for the Sound of Islay distillery run, and a 25-minute drive from our Bruichladdich properties. ## Ferry Basics Getting to Islay isn't easy. And that's what makes it so special. With the right planning the journey is as much a part of the holiday as being here — not something to push through in choruses of "are we nearly there yet?". From the moment you leave Glasgow and reach Loch Lomond, the scenery changes dramatically. Bye bye Lowlands, hello Highlands. We make this crossing all the time, in all weathers — get in touch if you're not sure and we'll help you find the best route. [Plan your journey →](/islay-travel/ferry-to-islay) ## Bruichladdich Proximity You're a 10-minute walk from the pioneering Bruichladdich Distillery along the coastal cycle path — tour the distillery, then walk home. Portbahn Beach is 5 minutes the other way. Port Charlotte village (restaurants, shops, museum, and petrol) is a 5-minute drive. Bruichladdich's central location means all eleven distilleries and Islay's best beaches are within easy reach. ## Places & Attractions ### Port Askaig Category: village Island: islay Port Askaig is the northern ferry port on Islay, receiving CalMac ferries from Kennacraig (2-hour crossing). It is also the departure point for the short crossing to Jura (5 minutes to Feolin). Location: Port Askaig Distance from Bruichladdich: 25-minute drive ### Port Askaig Ferry Terminal Category: transport Island: islay Port Askaig Ferry Terminal is the northern CalMac arrival/departure point on Islay, 25 minutes' drive from Bruichladdich. It receives ferries from Kennacraig (2 hours) and is the departure point for the Jura crossing to Feolin (5 minutes). Location: Port Askaig Distance from Bruichladdich: 25-minute drive Website: https://www.calmac.co.uk Phone: +44 1496 840245 ### Port Askaig Hotel Category: accommodation Island: islay Port Askaig Hotel is a small hotel and bar steps from the CalMac ferry terminal at Port Askaig, overlooking the Sound of Islay towards Jura. Convenient for late arrivals or early departures via Port Askaig. Location: Port Askaig Website: https://www.portaskaig.co.uk Phone: +44 1496 840245 ### Jura Ferry (Port Askaig–Feolin) Category: transport Island: jura Car ferry crossing the Sound of Islay from Port Askaig to Feolin. Half-mile, ~5 minutes. Return car + driver £23.20. Last scheduled sailing 18:30. A late sailing at 21:30 is available but must be booked before noon the day before. No booking required for scheduled sailings. Operated by Argyll & Bute Council. Location: Port Askaig (Islay side) / Feolin (Jura side) Distance from Bruichladdich: 25-minute drive to departure Website: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/public-transport/port-askaig-islay-feolin-jura-ferry-timetable Phone: 01496 840681 ### Caol Ila Distillery Category: distillery Island: islay Caol Ila Distillery is located on the north coast of Islay at Port Askaig, overlooking the Sound of Islay. It is Islay's largest single producer and a key component in Johnnie Walker blended Scotch. Location: Port Askaig (north coast) Distance from Bruichladdich: ~30-minute drive Website: https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/caol-ila Phone: +44 1496 302769 Hours: [object Object],[object Object] ### Bunnahabhain Distillery Category: distillery Island: islay Bunnahabhain Distillery is located on the north coast of Islay facing the Sound of Islay and the Paps of Jura. It produces mostly unpeated single malt, offering a contrast to the heavily peated south coast style. Location: North Islay Distance from Bruichladdich: ~35-minute drive Website: https://www.bunnahabhain.com Phone: +44 1496 840557 Hours: [object Object] ### Ardnahoe Distillery Category: distillery Island: islay Ardnahoe Distillery is the newest distillery on Islay, opened in 2018, located on the north coast with outstanding views across the Sound of Islay to the Paps of Jura. It has a visitor centre and restaurant. Location: North Islay Distance from Bruichladdich: ~35-minute drive Website: https://ardnahoedistillery.com Phone: +44 1496 840777 Hours: [object Object],[object Object] ### Bunnahabhain Stromatolites Category: heritage Island: islay The Bunnahabhain stromatolites are ancient fossilised microbial structures visible in the rock exposures near Bunnahabhain Distillery on the north coast of Islay, dating to approximately 1.2 billion years ago — among the oldest macroscopic fossils in Britain. Location: Bunnahabhain, north coast Islay Distance from Bruichladdich: ~35-minute drive ### Port Askaig Stores Category: cafe Island: islay General store at Port Askaig with post office counter and the only fuel pump at the north Islay ferry terminal. Sells groceries, basics, newspapers and provisions. Managed by the Port Askaig Hotel. Hours vary considerably by day and season — see notes. Location: Port Askaig Distance from Bruichladdich: 25-minute drive Website: https://www.portaskaig.co.uk Phone: 01496 840 245 Hours: [object Object] ### Islay RNLI Shop Category: cafe Island: islay RNLI fundraising shop run by the Isle of Islay Lifeboat Guild, at Port Askaig harbour. Sells RNLI-branded goods, gifts and souvenirs in support of the lifeboat. Opening hours vary — call ahead. Location: Port Askaig Distance from Bruichladdich: 25-minute drive Website: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/shops/islay-rnli-shop Phone: 01496 840640