Isle of Islay - Port Askaig

Port Askaig is on the east coast of Islay, overlooking the Sound of Islay between Islay and Jura. The only ferry connection to the Isle of Jura leaves from here to the Feolin Ferry landing. The Calmac ferry to/from Kennacraig and to/from Colonsay also calls here. The tides cause the water to flow quite fast through the sound and create some very strong currents, making the ferry crossings interesting. If the wind blows along the sound from the north or south the Jura ferry might not run.

Just south of Port Askaig is Dunlossit House, home of the banker Bruno Schroder, generous sponsor of the Islay lifeboat. The lifeboat is based here, with the lifeboat station right next to the hotel. Drop in and donate if you're in the area!	Port Askaig is a tiny place, mainly consisting out of the Port Askaig Hotel (below left), the post office/ shop (below right) and the ferry terminal. There is simply not more space in the tiny cove at the narrowest part of the Sound of Islay. Buses to Bridgend and on to Bowmore stop here as well.

Note: The pictures on this page were taken in 2002 and early 2003. In mid 2003 work began to reroute the road down the cliffs. Once the work is complete Port Askaig will probably look quite different to some of the pictures you see here. At some point I will either update this page or create a second page with the new look.

Port Askaig at the Sound of Islay