Camping in Isle of Islay

Camping on Islay is a modest but genuine option, with a small number of sites spread around the island rather than the dense clusters found in more heavily touristed parts of Scotland. Facilities tend to be simple and the number of pitches limited, which suits the island's quiet, unhurried character but means advance booking is strongly advised, particularly around the Fèis Ìle festival in late May and through the main summer season. What campers gain in return is direct access to some of the best scenery in the Hebrides, from views over the Sound of Islay to the Paps of Jura, to a beach a few minutes' walk from the tent.

Port Charlotte's community-run site sits right on the shore of Loch Indaal, within easy reach of the village's beach, museum and pub, and is the most fully equipped of the island's options, with showers, laundry and a café on site. Further north, working farms near Port Askaig offer a simpler, more traditional style of camping, often including a cooked breakfast as part of the stay, close to the ferry crossing for Jura and the Sound of Islay's fast-flowing waters. Near Port Ellen, a small motorhome park caters specifically to camper vans and caravans wanting an electric hook-up within walking distance of the ferry terminal and the southern distilleries.

Whichever site you choose, a car is essential for reaching distilleries, beaches and walks beyond the immediate village, since public transport on Islay is limited and does not run on Sundays. Midges can be troublesome on still summer evenings, particularly inland, so most campers find the more exposed, breezier coastal sites more comfortable in high summer. Outside the main season, several sites reduce services or close altogether, so it is worth checking directly before travelling in spring or late autumn.