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THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF Fèis Ìle
tHE ISLAY FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME NOW LIVE!

CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD

Current version V1.4 published 28th March

FÈIS ÌLE 2026 INFO

Friday the 22nd May - Sunday 31st May

Timeline for 2026

Distillery Event Info Online - 20th March
Ticket sales for Fèis Ìle and Partner Events
Saturday 28th March - 5pm
Distillery Events - from 28th March

Overview

For 2026 we're delighted to be joined by Laggan Bay Distillery, which sits on the same new site as Islay Ales.

Due to these additions, the Festival now runs from Friday the 22nd May to Sunday 31st May, with Islay Ales and Laggan Bay Distillery taking on the new second Sunday!
FRIDAY 22nd MAY
FÈIS ÌLE OPENING EVENING

SATURDAY 23rd MAY
LAGAVULIN
ISLAY RUM
ISLAY WHISKY VAULT

SUNDAY 24th MAY
BRUICHLADDICH

MONDAY 25th MAY
CAOL ILA

TUESDAY 26th MAY
LAPHROAIG
PORT ELLEN
THE INDIE WHISKY FÈIS

WEDNESDAY 27th MAY
BOWMORE
ARDNAHOE

THURSDAY 28th MAY
KILCHOMAN

FRIDAY 29th MAY
BUNNAHABHAIN
JURA

SATURDAY 30th MAY
ARDBEG

SUNDAY 31st MAY
ISLAY ALES AND LAGGAN BAY DISTILLERY

WEEK BEFORE THE FESTIVAL

FÈIS FISHING COMPETITION

Saturday 16th May
Meet Loch Lossit. 1-5pm. Prices. Adults £5. Junior £3. Prizes for heaviest bag, heaviest fish and best junior.

FAMILY CEILIDH

Family Ceilidh at the Ballygrant Hal
Thursday 21st May - full details to follow.

FRIDAY 22nd MAY

OPENING EVENT!

PARADE, ENTERTAINMENT AND COUNTRY MUSIC CEILIDH!
Fèis Ìle 2026 kicks off in style with a parade through Port Ellen. The parade begins at 5pm from Port Ellen Primary School and makes its way along Frederick Crescent, finishing at the Ramsay Hall where there will be entertainment for all the family with a magician and Gary the Musicman.

There will also be a Country Music Hoe-Down starting at 7:30pm in the Ramsay Hall, more details to follow!

SATURDAY 23rd MAY

LAGAVULIN

LOCATION
Lagavulin Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences
START TIME
11am
END TIME
6pm
EVENT INFO
Live music from Heron Valley and
Donnie Mackinnon & Friends. Hosted by Ally Heather. Whisky & cocktail bars plus Islay Oysters, Pizza Geeks, Rafa’s
Mexican Diner, Basement Gelato & Flat Flat White.

No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

ISLAY WHISKY VAULT

LOCATION
Islay Whisky Vault, Islay House Square, Bridgend
TICKETED
Yes, tickets via link
START TIME
1pm
END TIME
6:30pm
EVENT INFO
Open Day with Live Music, Burgers from Bridgend and Scozzese Pizza and Islay Whisky Vault’s exclusive single cask
release. Islay House Square, Bridgend.
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

ISLAY RUM

LOCATION
Islay Rum Distillery, Port Ellen
TICKETED
Open day with bookable experiences - free entry.
START TIME
10am
END TIME
9pm
EVENT INFO
Cocktail Bar, Live Music & free tours every hour throughout the day, plus food from the Orsay Seafood Shack. Bookable experiences at the links.
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

FÈIS FISHING COMPETITION

LOCH GORM
1-5pm. Prices. Adults £5. Junior £3. Prizes for heaviest bag, heaviest fish and best junior.

THE FIRST FLING

The First Fling at the Ramsay Hall
Come along to celebrate the first Festival Saturday with fantastic Ceilidh music and more. Full details to follow.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Port Askaig by Elixir Distillers: First Sip and Final Toast. Port Askaig Hotel Beer Garden. 12pm–6pm. Free entry (drinks payable) drams, cocktails and coastal atmosphere.

Big Peat x Peatzeria: Definitive Collection Tasting. 4:30pm - 6pm. Booking via link on Big Peat flyer later in this pdf.

Craic, Curry and Quiz - Café Mor at Port Mor. Doors 7pm, start 8pm–10:30pm. Curry night and quiz celebrating forty years of Fèis Ìle - raising money for the Islay High School Expedition. Ticketed via Skiddle

SUNDAY 24th MAY

BRUICHLADDICH

LOCATION
BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY
TICKETED
Yes, tickets required. Event is currrently sold out.
ROCK'NDAAL 2026
START TIME
Gates 11am. Bars open and music begins at 1pm.
END TIME
Gates re-etry and bars close at 5:30pm. Event ends at 18:30
EVENT INFO
Download Festival Programme for full info.

No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs are not allowed on site during Rockn'daal.

FÈIS ÌLE BOAT TRIPS

Fèis Ìle and Islay Sea Adventures Trips
Our ever popular Boat Trips with Committee members and the Islay Sea Adventures crew! 

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Big Peat x Peatzeria: Definitive Collection Tasting. 4:30pm - 6pm. Booking via link on Big Peat flyer in the Festival Programme.

Eat, Peat & Repeat: Join Sponsors Big Peat at the Islay Gaelic Centre for an evening filled with whisky, music and
food. 7:30pm til 11:00pm. Ticketed via Skiddle.

MONDAY 25th MAY

CAOL ILA

LOCATION
Caol Ila Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
11am
END TIME
6pm
EVENT INFO
Open day with bookable experiences. Live music from Valtos, Rhuvaal & others. Hosted by Ally Heather. Whisky & cocktail bars plus Pizza Geeks, Rafa’s Mexican Diner, Basement Gelato & Flat Flat White.

No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

THE MANAGER'S EVENING

A Whisky Dinner with the Distillery Managers
Come along to an exquisite whisky dinner, joined by the Distillery Managers! Full details to follow.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Islay Encounters Nature Walk 1 — Port Ellen to Carraig Fhada and the Singing Sands. Meet at Port Ellen car park. 10am. Approx 5 miles / 3 hours. Easy. Guided coastal walk to Islay’s iconic square lighthouse and beach. Tickets are required for this event and are available via Skiddle. 

Portintruan Distillery - Plans and Drams on the Path in the PORTINcabin at Portintruan Portacabin, Three Distilleries Path. 10am–5pm daily (Mon 25th–Fri 29th May). Free. Drop-in portacabin showcasing distillery plans, virtual tour and drams.

The Illicit Distillers Experience: Come and join us at Finlaggan to experience the ancient art of Illicit Distilling. 2:00pm til 4:00pm. Ticketed via Skiddle.

The Islay Whisky Vault Presents: A Tasting with David Brodie. 7pm- 8:30pm. Ticketed via Skiddle.

Big Peat x Port Charlotte Hotel: Whisky Pairing Dinner. 7pm - 10pm. Contact info@portcharlottehotel.co.uk

TUESDAY 26th MAY

LAPHROAIG

LOCATION
Laphroaig Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
10am
END TIME
4:30pm
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

PORT ELLEN

LOCATION
Port Ellen Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
12pm
END TIME
6pm
TRANSPORT
Parking at the distillery. .
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

INDIE WHISKY FÈIS ÌLE

LOCATION
Ramsay Hall
TICKETED
Yes
SESSIONS
Session One: 10am-1pm. Session Two: 2pm-5pm. Session Three: 6pm-9pm
TICKETS
SESSION ONESESSION TWOSESSION THREE
EVENT INFO
Join the Indie Bottlers Festival at the Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen. A huge variety of whisky from Islay, Jura and beyond to try and buy.

WEDNESDAY 27th MAY

BOWMORE

LOCATION
Bowmore Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
Gates open at 10am. Festival begins at 11am
END TIME
5pm
EVENT INFO
Tickets for experiences will be released on the afternoon of Tuesday 31 March. For further details and to book in advance visit: https://www.bowmore.com/stories/feis-ile

No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

ARDNAHOE

LOCATION
Ardnahoe Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
12pm
END TIME
5pm
TRANSPORT
TBC
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

THE FOLK NIGHT

The Folk Night at the Round Church, Bowmore
Our ever popular Folk Night, this year held at the Round Church in Bowmore - brimming with Islay talent!
Full details to follow!

THURSDAY 28th MAY

KILCHOMAN

LOCATION
Kilchoman Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
10:30am
END TIME
4:30pm
TRANSPORT
tbc
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

THE WHISKY NOSING

The Whisky Nosing at the Ramsay Hall
Our World Famous Whisky Nosing!

FRIDAY 29th MAY

BUNNAHABHAIN

LOCATION
Bunnahabhain Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
10am
END TIME
5pm
TRANSPORT
Parking at the distillery. .
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

JURA

LOCATION
Jura Distillery
TICKETED
No. Open day with bookable experiences.
START TIME
10am
END TIME
6pm
TRANSPORT
tbc
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

THE MYSTERY BUS TOUR

The Mystery Bus Tour!!!
Where will it stop, where will it go? Florence knows!

THE CLOOTIE DUMPLING CEILIDH

The Clootie Dumpling Ceilidh
The Family Friendly Ceilidh, run by the Islay and Jura Highland Dancers! Full of local talent and an event not to be missed.

SATURDAY 30th MAY

ARDBEG

LOCATION
Ardbeg Distillery
TICKETED
Yes - tickets available on the day and online. Experiences also available on the day.
START TIME
tbc
END TIME
tbc
TRANSPORT
tbc
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

THE FINAL FLING!

OUR BIGGEST EVER FINAL FLING!
Special Guests to be announced shortly! Watch this space for the most exciting Final Fling we've ever planned!

FÈIS FISHING COMPETITION

LOCH GORM
1-5pm. Prices. Adults £5. Junior £3. Prizes for heaviest bag, heaviest fish and best junior.

SUNDAY 31st MAY

LAGGAN BAY DISTILLERY AND ISLAY ALES

LOCATION
Laggan Bay Distillery and Islay Ales Brewery, Glenegedale, opposite Islay Airport
TICKETED
TBC
START TIME
10am
END TIME
5pm
TRANSPORT
Parking at the distillery. .
BUS INFO TO FOLLOW
EVENT INFO
No age limit on entry. Over 18’s only on tastings and experiences. Dogs will be allowed on site. No dogs allowed on experiences or tours.

TAXIS AND NUMBERS

Attic Taxi Islay

tel:+447944 873323

atticcabs@gmail.com

Islay Taxis

tel:+441496 8544170 or tel:+447771921157

info@islaytaxis.com

Bruichladdich Taxis

tel:+441496 850271 or tel:+447899942673

am245@btinternet.com

Hughie's Taxi

tel:+447737491429

Jim's Taxi Bowmore

tel:+447497528633 or tel:+447967505991

jimmaccalman@hotmail.co.uk

Islay Taxi by Lamb

tel:+447846055399

lambtaxi@gmaiI.com

Dougie's Islay Tours

tel:+447474686367

Bodach’s Islay Taxi Service

tel:+447513 066029

arthurholyoake@gmail.com

McIntyre Private Hire Taxi

tel:+447359 489038

mcintyreprivatehire@gmail.com

Westering Home Taxis

tel:+4407777337859

westeringhometaxis@outlook.com

RML Taxis

tel:+447708608051

rmltaxis@outlook.com

Cathy Heads – Taxi Tours and Transfers

tel:+447376952320

cathyheads@yahoo.co.uk

Paul’s Islay Taxi

tel:+447543105520

PaulsIslaytaxi@yahoo.com

Daly Cabs

tel:+447436558007 

dalycabs@gmail.com

Islay Encounters - Nature Tours & Private Hire

tel:+447930054840

info@islayencounters.co.uk

FÈIS EVENTS

OTHER EVENTS

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