Our Houses on Islay

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Our Houses on Islay

With so many friends coming back to Islay year after year, we thought it was time we kept in touch.

28/01/2026

Did you ever watch Local Hero and wonder why Mac agreed to go back to Texas after being in that Scottish village with the wonderful beach? In front of Cross Houses I have the evening sun and the beach to myself. Actually, it’s like that most of the time. What could be better?

09/01/2026

In case you haven't noticed, it's winter. On Islay there was a bit of a freeze. The buses were temporarily halted and there was a light covering of snow. By lunch time I fancied a trip out and at Laphroaig I was welcomed with hot coffee and I even got a free whisky. It's one of the more controversial drams but, whatever you've heard about it, it tastes wonderful when you're sitting there on a frosty afternoon with this view. Pity there wasn't a bus running to take me home or I'd have stayed on.

21/09/2025

Thank you to a Canadian friend who sent on this picture. Taken from the balcony at Shore Street, it shows the sun coming up over the Paps ofJura at dawn. I’ve never been awake at that time. Nor have I seen it after a very late night. Something else to add to the bucket list.

12/05/2025

I’ve had to make so many short trips to Islay recently. Last time I had to bring a new fridge freezer over. No next day deliveries on islay - try “next month”. After the work was done I sat with my feet up and watched the evening sky. Perfect.

24/02/2025

The Islay weather eventually catches up with all parts of our houses. The salt air and the storms left the front door at Shore Street needing a bit of help recently. Of course, if you’ve visited the house you know it’s not a door any more. It’s where the door used to be but it still needs a bit of repair and a coat of paint every now and then. Own up if you’ve tried to get into the house this way after a night in The Lochside Hotel bar.

22/01/2025

Kilchoman Distillery isn’t the most convenient to get to but it’s a stylish glass and steel visitor centre where you can enjoy a cup of tea and a comfortable seat. One small thing spoils the perfection - do we really need Bruce Springsteen and other 80’s American rock playing in the background? I don’t think so but maybe I’m out of date or just grumpy. It’s so easy to enjoy the tranquility and the chatter without anything else going on.

10/11/2024

I was on Islay last week. Early November doesn't stop the sunsets at Cross House West. I watched this most evenings and tried making a time-lapse on my phone. You get the idea. And sitting outside with a glass or two was fun without the midges.

30/08/2024

It's a perfect evening. I'm waiting for a couple of friends to arrive and we'll enjoy the sunset from the balcony. It took quite a bit of effort to convince the planning department that we should be allowed to put up a balcony. But it was worth the effort. We won't stay out too late though. I've got an early ferry to catch.

28/06/2024

Same arguement/discussion every year - where should we stay this summer? Shore Street is always a contender. Close to everything, friendly neighbours and views right out the back window. One day I'll arrive here and just stay.

27/06/2024

What is it about these West Coast skies that makes them so unique? There have been quite a few times this week when just standing and looking at the sky is all you need. And there's been enough of a breeze to keep the midges away on the walk back from Blackrock.

29/02/2024

Early in the year is the time to get some outside work done. There are gaps in the diary so I try and make use of them. As ever, I'm at the mercy of the weather. I arrived off the afternoon ferry and drove through a heavy shower thinking that work would need to be suspended for today. But, as soon as I'd unloaded I looked towards the west and saw the sky clearing. Don't worry about the weather, it's always going to change here. Thank you Islay. I can put my feet up now with a smug look on my face knowing I did some work.

18/01/2024

Snow is a big event on Islay. It's rarely cold enough thanks to all that ocean surrounding us. Today is different. There's a thin white blanket over the island and somehow everything seems even more peaceful than normal. The geese are chattering away in the distance, but there's little else to disturb the peace. We're off to enjoy the sunshine along the beach at Cross Houses.

Address

Bridgend And Bowmore
Bowmore
PA44 7PL

Website

http://www.ourhousesonislay.com/

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