Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay rhinnsretreats@gmail.com Find us on
A young child in a striped top playing on a wide sandy beach, with rocks and surf behind

Islay guide · Families

Family holidays on Islay

Islay is a place for rock pools, boat trips, seals and long days on the sand. This guide covers what to do with children of different ages, what to do when it rains and the practical details that make an island trip easier.

Last reviewed:

Ideas by age Check dates and prices

Is Islay right for your family?

Islay rewards families who like being outdoors and don't need a packed timetable. Days tend to revolve around the weather, the tide and whatever turns up on the shore. That suits some children perfectly and tests the patience of others.

Islay tends to suit

  • Children who love beaches, rock pools and building things in the sand
  • Families happy to drive between beaches, walks and small attractions
  • Young naturalists keen on seals, birds and boats
  • Parents looking for quiet roads, space and slower days

Worth knowing first

  • There are no theme parks, cinemas or large indoor play centres
  • Several attractions open only from spring to autumn
  • Ferries and flights can be disrupted by weather
  • You will want a car for most days out

Beaches and the sea

Beaches are the heart of most Islay family holidays. They vary a great deal, from sheltered village bays to huge Atlantic strands with powerful surf. Choosing the right one for the day matters more than choosing the prettiest.

Sheltered beaches for paddling and play

  • Port Charlotte village beaches. Small sandy bays on Loch Indaal, a few minutes' walk from the village centre. Handy for a short play before tea.
  • Kilnaughton Bay. A sandy bay just west of Port Ellen, popular with families on calm days.
  • The Singing Sands. A pretty, sheltered beach reached on foot near Port Ellen, with a coastal walk past the lighthouse.

Big west-coast beaches for walking

Machir Bay and Saligo Bay on the Atlantic coast are spectacular places to run, fly a kite and look for shells. They also have strong currents and are widely regarded as unsuitable for swimming. Enjoy them from the sand.

Staying safe on the shore

Assume there is no lifeguard on duty, and keep a close eye on children near the water. Check the tide before exploring rocks or headlands, as it can cut off the way back. Inflatables are best left for a pool.

Cattle and sheep graze on some beaches and dunes. Give them plenty of room, particularly cows with calves, and keep dogs on a short lead nearby. In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

A group of red-brown cattle standing in the dunes at the edge of a sandy Islay beach
Cattle often graze on Islay's dunes and beaches. Admire them from a distance.

Wildlife days out

Children often remember the wildlife more than anything else. Sightings are never guaranteed, but some outings give you a good chance.

April to October

A boat trip from Port Ellen

Islay Sea Adventures runs wildlife and fishing trips from Port Ellen harbour, with child fares on its trips. Sailings depend on the weather, so book ahead and keep a spare day in reserve.

All year

RSPB Loch Gruinart

A visitor centre, hides and a woodland trail of about a mile make this an easy nature outing. Winter brings thousands of geese. Read more in our guide to birdwatching on Islay.

All year

Seal spotting

Seals haul out on rocks around much of the coast. A pair of binoculars and a quiet approach help. Keep well back so they are not disturbed.

April to October

Islay Nature Centre

In Port Charlotte, run by the Islay Natural History Trust. It has aquariums, hands-on displays and a children's laboratory, and entry is by donation. Opening hours vary through the season.

In July and August the centre runs family Mini Wildlife Adventure sessions, usually on Thursday afternoons. Check the Trust's website for this year's details.

History children can explore

  • Finlaggan. Walk across a bridge to the island in Loch Finlaggan, once the centre of the Lords of the Isles. The visitor centre is temporarily closed, but the island remains open. Dogs must stay on a lead.
  • Kildalton Cross. A carved stone cross from the 700s, still standing where it was first put up. It is free to visit all year and makes a good stop on a drive to the south-east coast.
  • Museum of Islay Life, Port Charlotte. Island life through objects, photographs and stories. It opens on weekdays from April to September, and children go free.
  • The American Monument on the Oa. A walk across moorland to a monument above high sea cliffs. Best for older children who are steady walkers, with a firm hand near the cliff edge.

Things to do on Islay with kids, by age

Every child is different, so treat these as starting points rather than rules.

Check age, height and booking rules with each operator.
AgeIdeas that often work
Babies and toddlersSheltered village beaches, the children's playground at the Port Mòr Centre, and a buggy-friendly stroll along the flat Loch Indaal Way.
Ages 4 to 8Rock pooling at low tide, the Islay Nature Centre and its summer Mini Wildlife Adventures, pottery painting at Persabus, a picnic at Finlaggan and kite flying on a big beach.
Ages 9 to 12A wildlife or fishing boat trip, bird hides at Loch Gruinart, the walk to the Singing Sands, and a day trip across to Jura.
TeenagersE-bike hire from Bowmore, longer coastal walks such as Ardnave Point, photography at sunset, and the walk to the American Monument.

The Loch Indaal Way deserves a special mention for families staying in Port Charlotte. It is a flat, surfaced path of about 4.5km that starts by the Port Mòr Centre and runs along the shore to Bruichladdich. It works for buggies, scooters and young cyclists. Optional detours to the lighthouse and a small beach are rougher, with steps.

For a day trip to Jura, a small council ferry crosses from Port Askaig to Feolin many times a day. Most sailings need no booking.

Rainy-day ideas

Rain on Islay often comes and goes, so a wet morning can turn into a bright afternoon. Keep one or two indoor options up your sleeve.

  • Swimming at the Mactaggart Leisure Centre, Bowmore. A 25-metre pool, plus a sauna and gym. Check the centre's opening hours page for public swim times.
  • Pottery painting at Persabus, near Port Askaig. Paint a mug or plate to take home. Individuals and families can usually drop in during opening hours, while larger groups should get in touch first.
  • Islay Woollen Mill, near Bridgend. A working mill with a shop, open Monday to Saturday.
  • Port Charlotte's museum and nature centre. Both are within walking distance of the village, but both are seasonal.
  • A long lunch. Several cafés welcome families. Some get very busy in summer, so booking a table is sensible.

And sometimes the best plan is a board game, a film on the Smart TV and a walk once the shower passes.

Food, shops and health

Food and supplies

Port Charlotte has a village shop with a post office. For a bigger shop, there are Co-op stores in Bowmore and Port Ellen. Island shops are well stocked, but if your child needs a particular brand of formula, nappies or food, bring enough for the trip.

If someone is unwell

  • Emergencies: call 999.
  • Urgent advice out of hours: call NHS 24 on 111.
  • GP: the Rhinns Medical Centre is in Port Charlotte and opens on weekdays.
  • Hospital: Islay Hospital in Bowmore has a minor injuries service. NHS Highland asks you to phone 111 before attending.
  • Pharmacy: Islay Pharmacy is on Main Street, Bowmore. It is closed on Sundays.

Getting to Islay with children

Most families come by ferry with their car. CalMac sails from Kennacraig on Kintyre, about three hours' drive from Glasgow. The crossing to Port Askaig takes around two hours. Port Ellen ferry terminal closed in June 2026 for redevelopment and is expected to stay closed until 2029, so all sailings currently use Port Askaig.

Booking is required for every passenger and vehicle. Summer sailings fill quickly, especially in the school holidays, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. CalMac offers reduced fares for children. Allow for weather delays, and bring snacks and something to do in the queue.

Loganair flies daily between Glasgow and Islay. Flying saves time but means hiring a car on the island, so check car seat arrangements with the hire company.

Travel disruption happens on island holidays. We recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation and disruption.

What to pack for Islay with children

  • Waterproof jackets and trousers for everyone, including small ones
  • Wellies, plus sandals or water shoes for rock pools
  • Warm layers and hats, even in summer, for windy beaches
  • Sun cream and sunhats, because clear days can be bright
  • Insect repellent for midges on still summer evenings
  • Buckets, spades, a kite and a small net
  • Binoculars and a simple guide to birds or seashore life
  • Any medicines you need, as Islay's pharmacy is in Bowmore

A flexible four-day plan

Swap the days around to suit the weather and the tides. This plan assumes a car and a base in Port Charlotte.

  1. Settle in close to home

    Explore the village, try the playground by the Port Mòr Centre and finish on the beach. On a weekday in season, visit the museum or nature centre.

  2. The wild west coast

    Head to Machir Bay for a beach walk and kite flying, keeping out of the water. Stop for lunch nearby, then look for choughs and seals on the way home.

  3. South to Port Ellen

    Take a morning boat trip if the sea is calm, then picnic at Kilnaughton or walk to the Singing Sands. Visit Kildalton Cross if little legs still have energy.

  4. History and a slower pace

    Cross the bridge at Finlaggan, paint pottery at Persabus and swim in Bowmore. Walk or cycle the Loch Indaal Way back in Port Charlotte before tea.

Port Charlotte as a family base

Port Charlotte is a small conservation village of whitewashed houses on the shore of Loch Indaal. For families, the useful things are close together. There are sandy village beaches, a children's playground at the Port Mòr Centre and the start of the Loch Indaal Way. The shop, museum and nature centre are all within a short walk.

The village sits on the Rhinns, the western arm of Islay. That puts the big Atlantic beaches within an easy drive, while Bowmore's shops and pool are across the head of the loch.

Staying at Rosgorm with children

Rosgorm is our renovated traditional cottage in the centre of Port Charlotte. It sleeps up to six in three double bedrooms, which works well for one or two families travelling together.

Rosgorm's enclosed garden and paved patio with two chairs, behind the whitewashed cottage
  • An enclosed garden. A private garden with a patio, outdoor seating and a barbecue.
  • Space to spread out. A lounge with a wood-burning stove, plus a garden room with a day bed and Smart TV.
  • Laundry sorted. A washing machine, tumble dryer and drying room for sandy, soggy clothes.
  • Family kit. A travel cot and highchair are available on request. Just let us know when you book.

The kitchen has a dining table for six, and there is fast Wi-Fi. Well-behaved dogs are welcome by prior arrangement.

Room layout and access

  • All three bedrooms are upstairs. Two have double beds, and one has a king-size bed with an ensuite shower room.
  • The family bathroom upstairs has a bath with an overhead shower. Downstairs there is a cloakroom with a toilet and basin.
  • There is no ground-floor bedroom or bathroom. Three steps lead down from the kitchen to the garden room.
  • The cottage sleeps a maximum of six guests under its short-term let licence.

Rosgorm often suits

  • Two parents with up to four children who can share double beds
  • Grandparents travelling with a young family
  • Families bringing a well-behaved dog, by arrangement

It may not suit

  • Groups of more than six people
  • Anyone who needs a ground-floor bedroom or step-free access
  • Families who need single or twin beds

If you are unsure whether the layout will work for your family, email us before booking and we will talk it through. You can also see the cottage in detail and browse our photo gallery.

Planning a family break in Port Charlotte?

Check dates and prices

Frequently asked questions

Is Islay good for a family holiday?

Islay suits families who enjoy beaches, wildlife and time outdoors at an unhurried pace. It has no large indoor attractions or theme parks, and several smaller attractions open only from spring to autumn, so plan around the season and the weather.

Which Islay beaches are best for young children?

Families often choose the more sheltered beaches, such as the small village beaches at Port Charlotte, Kilnaughton near Port Ellen and the Singing Sands. The big Atlantic beaches on the west coast, including Machir Bay and Saligo Bay, have strong currents and are better for walking than swimming. Conditions change, so always supervise children near the water.

What can families do on Islay when it rains?

Options include the swimming pool at the Mactaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore, pottery painting at Persabus near Port Askaig, the Islay Woollen Mill shop near Bridgend and, from spring to autumn, the Museum of Islay Life and the Islay Nature Centre in Port Charlotte. Check opening times before you set out.

Do we need to book activities in advance?

Book ferry space and boat trips well ahead, especially in the school holidays. Popular café lunches can also need booking. Many beaches, walks and historic sites need no booking at all.

Is Rosgorm Cottage suitable for families with a baby or toddler?

Rosgorm sleeps up to six and can provide a travel cot and highchair on request. All bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs, and there are internal steps, including three steps down into the garden room, so it may not suit every family. Please ask us about the layout before booking.

Opening times and seasons change, so check with each organisation before you travel. We checked these sources on the dates shown.

Last reviewed . Attractions, opening times and travel arrangements change. Please check with each organisation before you travel.

A family base by the beach in Port Charlotte

Book Rosgorm directly for a family holiday on Islay. Rates vary through the year, so check your dates for current prices.

Check availability and prices

Questions about the layout? Email rhinnsretreats@gmail.com