The Bay Self Catering Islay

29/07/2024

Simple holiday pleasures - sitting at the back door in the sunshine for my first cup of tea of the day. Yes, I’m still in my pyjamas.

10/12/2023

Portnahaven sunsets. First pic shows where the sun is setting in December around 4pm, then swipe for early September around 8pm then longest day (I think!) and another June one around 10pm.

12/09/2023

Aye, the nights are drawing in! Tonight’s sunset about 8pm - swipe to see it setting off the other end of the island at 10pm back in June.

10/09/2023

Saligo beach this summer.
I have about a million pictures of Saligo on my phone - It is amazingly beautiful! We got lucky with a sunny afternoon and tide out on the last day of our stay, so great fun wading through these rock pools.

25/08/2023

Paddleboarders (including a dog!) down below The Bay - I was trying to get an artistic shot with their reflection in the hall mirror - couldn't quite get the real shot and the reflection at the same time!

24/08/2023

Holiday breakfast for me has got to be toasted plain loaf and a cup of tea. Sitting on the back doorstep at The Bay with the sound of the sea, seagulls and Ian next door saying 'You're not really taking a picture of your breakfast are you?!' 🤣

18/08/2023

Islay is famous for its wildlife, so I was not entirely surprised to see one of our guests has spotted a T-rex. I have seen the sea eagle they mention from this very doorstep, so they clearly know their stuff. Other people tell me all the time of otters and dolphins that sport about the place the moment my back is turned, but this is a first!

Looking forward to having you back next year :)

15/08/2023

A couple of quick pictures of the kitchen, leading into the sitting room at the front of the cottage, and out the back door to the enclosed garden. I should maybe have spent a little more time styling up the second shot, but by this point of our visit we were on a deadline for the ferry. Kitchen and bathroom are always the last two to get tidied as we pack up our own cases and reverse out the door. There are more kitchen cupboards, a fridge, freezer, microwave, toaster etc just out of sight.

14/08/2023

Back bedroom - two single beds with a view to the garden. Blackout blind in place for the sunrise at the back of the cottage. Well behaved bears welcome.

10/08/2023

It is very relaxing, lying in the front bedroom, listening to the sea and the seals. The perfect spot to plan the day's activity - a bracing swim in the sea? A long walk along a deserted beach? A distillery trip? Or another cup of tea and a holiday book 😊

09/08/2023

Finally, after a planetary alignment of Ikea, Calmac, couriers and our own travel plans ... our new sofas are in place! Trying to show all angles here, from the front window looking out to sea, through to the kitchen and back garden. If you'd like to be one of the first to try them out, we've got availability from 2-9 Sept plus most of October.

04/08/2023

I’m just nipping out for some eggs! Lots of roadside egg stalls at the moment - can’t beat them for flavour!

03/08/2023

Otter tracks at Lossit yesterday. I’ve never actually seen one there, just their footprints running in and out of the sea, cavorting on the beach while I’m blissfully unaware behind the next rock. Like that old Kitkat advert with the pandas 🤣

02/08/2023

MV Caledonia sailing past this evening

21/06/2023

Summer solstice - the sun just disappearing from sight at 10pm tonight.

14/06/2023

Best gate in Islay. I’ll consider other options if anyone has any suggestions, but they’d have to be good 🤣

11/06/2023

I think all my pictures on here so far have been from the Rhinns side of the island, so for a wee change, here’s one of Port Ellen lighthouse. It’s square and you can walk over to it on a rickety little bridge!

10/06/2023

Swimming at Currie Sands

21/05/2023

Rock pools at Saligo. Great spot for a bracing plunge in the summer!

14/05/2023

Wow - can you get any fresher for Scottish seafood? 😋 newly opened IIslay Oysters- don’t miss it if you’re visiting Islay this summer 😊

leave some for everyone else 🤣🤣

14/05/2023

Wow - can you get any fresher for Scottish seafood? 😋 newly opened Islay Oysters - don’t miss it if you’re visiting Islay this summer 😊

14/05/2023

Currie Sands looking spotless. Perfect spot for a day’s picnic or to stop with a flask if you’re walking from Portnahaven round Claddach.

13/05/2023

Wow! Check out the food at the newly reopened Portnahaven pub! 😋 You can see why it’s been popular already - book ahead for your holiday!

13/05/2023

Hooray!! Portnahaven pub is open again 😊iLooking forward to a visit soon 🍻

New menu 😁
Still no phone line in, so message on here or pop in if you'd like a table

13/05/2023

Everyone knows about Islay’s whisky distilleries … but did you know rum is getting made on the island too now? Cheers to this new addition!

11/05/2023

If you're planning a distillery visit (or nine!) while you're in Islay - absolutely stunning views from Ardnahoe 🥃

Visiting Ardnahoe? Book your tour or experience now on our website: https://ardnahoedistillery.com

The Illicit Still Café is open 10am-4.30pm
Lunch served 12pm – 3.45pm

10/05/2023

An old shot of King Street from the sea. More boats just starting to go back out in the water in the last week as the weather improves. The Bay, if you don’t know it, is about 6 houses from the right in this pic.

07/05/2023

Hats off to the year-round swimmers! Spring view from the doorstep of the hardy souls who seem to keep swimming all year round.

06/05/2023

Fancy a trip to Islay this year? We have availability from 2-9 September and 30 September - 28 October, just 5 minutes walk from this beautiful beach in Portnahaven. Get in touch if you'd like more details.

Updated 10 May - August now full.

30/04/2023

Saligo, Isle of Islay ❤