Scotland: Islay

The Isle of Islay lies off Scotland’s west coast in the southern Inner Hebrides. Known traditionally as the “Queen of the Hebrides,” it covers approximately 620 square kilometres (240 square miles), making it Scotland’s fifth-largest island.

Islay is internationally associated with single malt Scotch whisky. Eight distilleries were operating when these photographs were taken in 2017. By 2026, the island had ten working distilleries. Whisky production remains an important part of the island’s economy and cultural identity, although not all barley used by its distilleries is grown locally.

Archaeological evidence indicates human activity on Islay from at least the Mesolithic period, with some sites dating to the eighth millennium BCE or earlier. The island later became an important political centre in western Scotland. During the medieval period, Finlaggan served as a residence and inauguration site for the Lords of the Isles and as a meeting place for the Council of the Isles.

Scotland’s 2022 census recorded 3,180 residents on Islay.