A long debate last night about bus times (none at all on Sunday), and optimal routes between distilleries. We settle on a morning bus to Bowmore, with about two hours there to ‘look around’.

Wandering to the bus stop, which is all of 50m from the boat, we are already cheered by a road sign…

The bus to Bowmore takes us over the hills and the peat bogs, which give Islay malts their distinctive smokey flavour.

The small town is at the end of Loch Indall and is really protected from most of the grim weather which blows through here several days a month. It doesn’t feel as touristy as Port Ellen,  despite the distillery being right in the centre…

The day kicks off before lunch with a welcome dram and then we chose a couple more to try, before buying our favourite and heading off for some lunch and the next bus. The waitress apologises for the lack of lobster as it is low tide and the boat can’t get in yet. She says it will be on the menu tonight….about 3 hours after landing, just 50m away!

There is a fascinating round church, but more importantly, the bus to Ardbeg beckons…

In Ardbeg we have a flight of 5 to try and even Yee Tak finds the flavours interesting…mostly.

It is only a short 15 minute walk from there to Lagavulin, and another flight….and another favourite for the boat.

We finished in time for the last bus back to Port Ellen. Pretty much a perfect day…