The Ultimate Guide to Fèis Ìle, Islay’s Celebration of Whisky and Culture
At the heart of a good whisky is the union of flavour - a marriage of palate-pleasing notes and the traditional practices and precision that go into making it all possible. And this sense of tradition, collaboration and a coming together of different elements is also what makes the whisky community so distinct.
While there’s many an evening a whisky lover will prefer to sit back and savour their favoured pour in a classic whisky cocktail, there’s something about connecting over distilleries, drams and discovering what lies beyond the bottle.
From distillery tours to festivals, the whisky community has plenty of opportunity to celebrate the water of life - and nothing compares to Fèis Ìle, the Islay Festival of Music and Malt.
What is Fèis Ìle?
Taking place each year during the last week of May, Fèis Ìle - which is pronounced fay-sh aisle - is many things at once. It’s a celebration of whisky, it’s an ode to the spirit of Islay, it’s an unmissable moment for whisky lovers to connect with distilleries, and it’s an opportunity for those who have considered themselves whisky curious to become whisky connoisseurs.
Across the 10-day span, Islay showcases the greatness of Gaelic culture - preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Islay, including folk music, storytelling, and dancing, which is why you don’t necessarily need to have an existing knowledge of whisky to come. The festival is open to everyone, and if you were wondering, yes, there’s plenty of non-whisky whimsy for children to explore, too.
By the 1990s, whisky had become a major part of the festival, and now, across the ten days, a different distillery will take a turn hosting an open day.
The small-but-mighty Isle of Islay - with a population averaging just over 3,000 - will see those numbers almost triple as thousands come to delight in distillery open days and the discovery of Islay’s cultural heritage.
And it’s because of this fact that we should advise you early on - plan in advance. Book your accommodation early, book travel and rent a car, get yourself reservations in your top choice of hotel and restaurant. One mustn’t underestimate the allure Fèis Ìle has on thousands of people across the globe.
What to expect from Fèis Ìle - activities and what to do
Once you’ve made it to the Isle of Islay for Fèis Ìle, you won’t have to worry about finding ways to fill your days. If anything, you’ll want to plan ahead so you don’t miss out on anything across ten days of masterclasses, tastings, exclusive opportunities to connect with your favourite distilleries, an unrivalled window into Scottish tradition and so much more.
Distillery Open Days
Each distillery hosts a dedicated day with:
Exclusive whisky releases
Special tours and tastings
Masterclasses with whisky experts
Meet-and-greets with distillery teams
Live Music and Ceilidhs
Traditional Scottish folk music and Highland dancing
Ceilidhs (Scottish social dances)
Local and visiting bands performing across the island
Whisky Masterclasses & Tastings
Guided tastings led by whisky experts
Food and whisky pairing sessions
Behind-the-scenes access to production areas
Fèis Ìle - come for the whisky, come back again and again for the island.
Cultural & Outdoor Activities
Gaelic storytelling and poetry readings
Local craft fairs and artisan markets
Hiking and exploring Islay’s scenic landscapes
Community Events & Celebrations
Charity auctions of rare whisky bottles
Local food stalls and seafood tastings
Family-friendly activities like boat trips and nature walks.
If the thrill of Fèis Ìle leaves you needing a little respite, luckily there’s plenty to do and see on your own time around the Isle of Islay.
Beaches: boasting 130 miles of coastline, Islay’s mix of sandy and shingle beaches are an unmissable treasure. The safest beaches for swimming are at Laggan Bay, Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal.
Boat trips: Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, getting out and feeling that sea air is a definite highlight of an Islay stay. Islay Sea Adventures, based in Port Ellen Marina, offers a wide range of daily boat trips.
Walks: from easy beach strolls to challenging cliff hikes with the pay-off of spectacular views, if you want to earn a hearty meal (with a hearty dram), there are plenty of walks to tackle across Islay.
Where is Islay and how to get there
As the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, getting to the Isle of Islay requires a bit more than just hopping in an Uber. But taking in the jewel known as The Queen of the Hebrides makes it all worthwhile.
Travelling to Islay by air
From Glasgow, Loganair operates daily flights from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Islay Airport (ILY), taking about 40 minutes. If you’re flying from other cities, you can connect via Glasgow from other UK and international destinations.
Driving directions to Islay
If traveling by car, you can drive to Kennacraig and take the ferry to Islay – either with your vehicle or as a foot passenger.
Once on Islay, rental cars, taxis, and local buses are available for transport around the island. But, as mentioned above, don’t leave this too late. Islay will almost triple in population over the festival.
Ferries to Islay
From Kennacraig (West Scotland): CalMac Ferries run services from Kennacraig to Port Ellen or Port Askaig on Islay. The journey takes around 2 hours 15 minutes.
To get to Kennacraig, it’s roughly a two and a half hour drive from Glasgow, and there are Scottish Citylink bus routes from Glasgow.
What is public transport like in Islay?
If you’re relying on public transport and local taxis:
Local bus services run between ferry ports, airports, and key locations.
Taxis and car rentals are available but should be booked in advance due to high demand during the festival.
Many festival events are within walking distance, but some distilleries may require transport.
Where to stay on Islay
The Isle of Islay is made up of a number of villages, each with their own distinct charm and character. Some of the key places include Port Charlotte (often heralded as the best-preserved and most attractive village), the fishing village of Portnahaven, and Port Askaig, Islay’s second main ferry port.
The villages of Bowmore and Port Ellen are the two most populated villages, so if planning to stay here, book earlier.
Where you stay is up to you - and we recommend exploring the differences you can expect village to village.
High end stays in Islay
If Fèis Ìle is a highlight of your Scottish adventure, you might want to splash out.
Port Charlotte Hotel - a four-star, beachside hotel
Glenegedale House - a five-star guesthouse
Machrie Hotel - a luxury hotel and golf course
More affordable Islay hotels and accommodation
If you’re visiting Islay and Fèis Ìle as part of a bigger holiday, you can still experience the exquisite food, drink and friendliness of Islay with these budget-friendly stays.
Where to eat around Islay
The Isle of Islay will be filled with hidden treasures and establishments serving up some of the finest, local delights.
Thanks to the crisp, unspoiled Atlantic air, fertile soil, clean waters and plenty of rain, Islay is full of farmers and land that produces exquisite beef, lamb and game, and arguably some of the best shellfish in Scotland. The rich land is also why many Islay whiskies have their signature peat.
If you need a little steer, we spoke with people who have explored the festival and the island before.
Where to eat in Port Charlotte, Islay
Where to eat in Bridgend, Islay
Where to eat in Bowmore, Islay
Where to eat in Port Ellen, Islay
Where to eat around Port Askaig, Islay
Where to eat in Portnahaven, Islay
While we can promise smooth whiskies and smooth experiences with the festival, we can’t guarantee a smooth time with the weather. It is Scotland, after all.
That being said, around the time of the festival each year, you can expect temperatures to hit morning lows of around 9C and reach a peak of 15C throughout the day. For Islay, April, May and June are the sunniest and driest months of the year, particularly May, but with Islay being an island, rain is still possible, and the wind chill is a real variable to factor into your packing.
And if you happen to get caught in a surprise shower, just look for a port in the storm where you can warm up with a swift dram. The capricious character of the island is what makes it so special.
When do Fèis Ìle tickets go on sale?
The event takes place on the last weekend in May and tickets usually go on sale a few months beforehand. Find out more about this years Fèis and purchase any experience tickets for Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Port Ellen.
We'll keep you updated on ticket sales for 2026 and beyond. If you want to be among the first to know, sign up to Malts.com for the latest information.
Fèis Ìle - come for the whisky, come back again and again for the island.
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