Islay is particularly famous for two things - birds and whisky  - and not necessarily in that order! Fortunately, Lurabus is well positioned for both.

There is an RSPB reserve on the Oa, where you may see choughs, hen harriers, peregrines, buzzards, snow buntings and as the cherry on the cake, Islay's very own golden eagles. Further up the island, in the autumn the landscape is covered by the flocks of Brent and barnacle geese who come to feed here and who attract legions of birdwatchers.

The entire island is only 25 miles long, yet it is home to no less than 7 distilleries which produce the smoky, peaty malts for which Islay is famous. The nearest of these are just beyond Port Ellen, Laphroig and Lagavulin. Lagavulin has a superb café restaurant, which provides excellent meals. In comparison to some of the other Scottish islands, Islay is comparatively undeveloped and you won't find too much in the way of teashops or fast food restaurants outside of the main settlements.

A little up the coast, the Machrie Hotel has an excellent 18 hole golf course. There is riding on a farm near the cottage and you can fish off the rocks. Bowmore, the island's 'capital' has a heated swimming pool and another famous distillery! Two bicycles are available at the cottage and more can be hired locally.

The nearest shops and hotels are at Port Ellen (5 miles) where you will most likely arrive when coming by ferry from Kennacraig. The ferry should be booked in advance.

Most of Islay's inhabitants live on the west side of the island. It is well worth taking a trip down the Rhinns of Islay to pretty Port Charlotte, with another distillery and on to Port Wemyss. A trip across to the neighbouring island of Jura by a short ferry crossing from Port Askaig is certainly not to be missed. This is the 'Island of the Deer' and you will see them everywhere. A single road runs most of the length of the island and passes Jura House with its lovely gardens, before reaching Craighouse (with hotel and yet another distillery), which is the only real settlement. Serious hillwalkers will find their main challenge here in climbing the striking Paps of Jura, which form the highest peaks in the two islands.