Port Charlotte Hotel, Port Charlotte

This is not the easiest of places to get to on public transport. It's an almost 4-hour ferry trip from the mainland and then buses on the island don't connect to the ferries. So, it was a further £90 round-trip taxi! On an island favoured by tourists for its large number of whisky distilleries, the Port Charlotte Hotel is the only place on Islay which stocks a cask ale (Jarl). However, I also tried Islay Ales Finlaggan on keg. The bar is to the left as you enter the hotel, with a lounge/dining room to the right-hand side but I think the lounge is more for hotel guests. The bar also has its own door. There are lots of whiskeys on offer and I soon got into conversation with the barman and a regular visitor to the island from Wales. Live music is advertised. Rooms are available and I had booked one in advance for the night. The view from my room across a bay towards a lighthouse the following morning was particularly picturesque. A trek to get to but if you happen to be on Islay for other reasons (probably whisky), it's worth paying this place a visit.