Things to do in Islay
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Top 10 attractions in Islay
Edinburgh Old Town
Edinburgh Old Town refers to the old town area of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The district preserves many buildings from the European Middle Ages and the Scottish Reformation, including notable landmarks such as St. Giles' Cathedral, the General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland, the Surgeons' Hall, the National Museum of Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, and the Scottish Parliament Building. Strolling through the streets of Edinburgh Old Town, exploring the unique architecture, pubs, restaurants, and shops on either side, with the occasional sound of beautiful Scottish bagpipe music in the air, is a truly relaxing and enjoyable experience.United Kingdom · Edinburgh
Kildalton Cross
Islay · 10.1 km from downtown
Windermere
Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England and is located in the southern end of the Lake District. Its 13 miles long glacial valley runs through the Khumbelian Mountains and offers picturesque scenery of mountains, lakes, and villages. The best season to visit is spring and summer, with activities such as boating, hiking, and cycling available. Windermere town serves as the distribution center, and visitors can pick up maps and brochures at the visitor information center. Boat tours and rentals are popular activities where visitors can also visit the Lake District Aquarium and see different aquatic life. Hiking routes are available for tourists who prefer outdoor activities. Lake Windermere is also home to many animals, including swans. The famous children's writer Beatrix Potter was inspired by the fairy tale world of Peter Rabbit, and visitors can go to Peter Rabbit World, a museum that showcases the story's interesting scenes, to meet Peter Rabbit and his friends. Downstairs is a tea room where visitors can enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea.United Kingdom · South Lakeland District
Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands encompass the majestic mountains and valleys of Great Britain. The region is sparsely populated, with vast stretches of wilderness maintaining a raw and desolate appearance. Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, stands in the heart of the Highlands. Its summit is shrouded in mist year-round, and the weather is changeable, attracting many hikers to climb it. The Great Glen divides the Highlands into two, with the Grampian Mountains and the Northwest Highlands on either side, and the area is dotted with numerous lakes and valleys. Glen Coe is famous for its jagged peaks and wild, desolate moors, making it one of the iconic landscapes of the Highlands. Driving along the A82 road, you can see The Three Sisters rising abruptly. Loch Ness is hidden deep in the Great Glen, with the ruins of Urquhart Castle standing quietly on the shore. The Highlands also preserve Scottish Gaelic cultural traditions and whisky distilling techniques, and many distilleries along the route offer tastings of single malt whisky. Driving along wild roads, strolling along mountain trails, visiting ancient castles and lakes, or touring whisky distilleries are all popular local experiences.United Kingdom · Fort Augustus
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a high vantage point overlooking the entire city of Edinburgh, dotted with several neoclassical memorial buildings. Take a walk along the summit trail, and from the top, looking west, you can take in the entire cityscape, with the magnificent Edinburgh Castle standing in the distance, the vast waters of the Firth of Forth visible to the north, and buildings such as the Scottish Parliament Building and the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the south. A prominent feature on the summit is the National Monument of Scotland, built to commemorate those who died in the Napoleonic Wars. It was left unfinished due to a lack of funds, and today only a row of massive columns supporting a beam remains. The nearby Nelson Monument was built in the early 19th century and features a time ball on top, which drops promptly every afternoon. It was originally a signaling device set up to calibrate time for ships in the Port of Leith. Not far away is the Dugald Stewart Monument, with several stone columns supporting a circular dome. Its elegant design makes it a classic foreground for photographing the Edinburgh skyline.United Kingdom · Edinburgh
Princes Street
The total length of Princes Street is only 1.5 kilometers. This street divides Edinburgh into two cities, the old and the new, the new city in the north and the old city in the south. The east end of Princes Street is connected to Calton Hill. The hill is not high and overlooks the city.United Kingdom · Edinburgh
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland was formed by the merger of the original Scottish Museum and the Royal Scottish Museum, and is considered one of the buildings of Scotland in the 20th century, adding a lively modern atmosphere to Edinburgh's Old Town. The architectural design of the museum echoes the unique history and natural environment of Scotland, especially the Round Tower in Edinburgh, forming an ingenious connection between history and modernity. The building is clad in Scottish golden sandstone, creating a weather-beaten ancient look. The triangular entrance hall is as high as seven floors, creating a sense of space full of tension, which is vividly likened to a "bird cage". The light is good, and the sun can almost fill every corner of the hall. Decorative pieces such as fountains and fish ponds add to the natural appeal.United Kingdom · Edinburgh
St Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral is located on the Royal Mile in the city center of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a representative religious building in Edinburgh and an important church of the Church of Scotland. Its religious history dates back to 1124, and the existing building has undergone expansions and renovations over several periods, featuring an overall medieval Gothic architectural style. The exterior is characterized by stone walls, pointed arched windows, and a striking crown spire. The spire rises high above the city blocks and is a highly recognizable view in the Royal Mile area. Today, it is still used for daily worship, while also being open to visitors and hosting concerts and cultural events.United Kingdom · Edinburgh
The Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges is a country road famous for its ancient beech trees, lined with rows of tall trees whose trunks stretch upward and branches intertwine overhead to form a natural arched canopy. The layered branches and leaves filter the sunlight, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the road to create a deep, unique view. The surrounding area, characterized by green meadows, farmland, and a rural setting, provides a stark contrast to the dense trees. The hedges were planted by the Stuart family, and as the trees grew, their branches gradually extended toward the center of the road, forming the iconic tree tunnel seen today.Ballymoney · 68.1 km from Islay
Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park is located in the Cumbria region of northwest England and is a well-known area of mountain and lake scenery. The park is characterized by glacial lakes, rolling mountains, deep valleys, stone-built farmhouses, and traditional villages, where natural scenery and rural life intertwine, creating a distinct landscape characteristic of Northern England. It covers an area of approx. 2,362 square kilometers and features numerous mountains, lakes, valleys, woodlands, and rural settlements, offering a rich variety of scenery. In addition to its natural beauty, it also preserves traditional stone walls, farms, historic buildings, and villages with local character, reflecting the long-standing coexistence between people and the mountainous environment. The park is suitable for a variety of outdoor activities, including mountain hiking, cycling, boating, kayaking, and lake sightseeing.United Kingdom · Ambleside
Experiences you can't miss in Islay
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1-day tour to Giant's Causeway & The Dark Hedges & Belfast, Northern Ireland, English-speaking group
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Islay
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Free things to do in Islay
Edinburgh Old Town
United Kingdom · EdinburghKildalton Cross
Islay · 10.1 km from downtownWindermere
United Kingdom · South Lakeland DistrictScottish Highlands
United Kingdom · Fort AugustusCalton Hill
United Kingdom · EdinburghPrinces Street
United Kingdom · EdinburghNational Museum of Scotland
United Kingdom · EdinburghSt Giles' Cathedral
United Kingdom · EdinburghThe Dark Hedges
Ballymoney · 68.1 km from IslayLake District National Park
United Kingdom · Ambleside
More ways to travel from Islay
What travelers say about Islay
苏河家园July 14, 2025
5.0
卡尔顿山是爱丁堡标志性景点，其以新古典主义建筑群、360度城市全景和丰富的文化活动而闻名。设计灵感以雅典帕特农神庙为蓝本，山顶上希腊式立柱恢宏雄伟，像一座被时光凝固的神庙骨架，静静守护着爱丁堡。
Calton Hill
66&colaFebruary 19, 2020
5.0
Because "Game of Thrones" was filmed here, it became famous and became a pilgrimage site for fans of the game, and thus became a popular tourist attraction. In fact, it is a boulevard formed by strange big trees, and the sloping grass and cows on both sides are a nice sight.
The Dark Hedges
GeorgiaelizeJuly 8, 2024
5.0
Beautiful views, lovely cafe’s and places to stay, the lakes as you drive through to Ambleside really made the journey. Even can just do as a nice day trip!
Lake District National Park
