Plans for the Islay run
Discussion
As BG rightly pointed out, the wiki's not the best way to discuss plans.
Anyway, here's a gratuitous pic to get people in the spirit of the thing:
So....
We're talking about the w/e of 5th June.
Personally, it would suit me to drive over on the Friday and have two nights on the island leaving Sunday. But I'm just trying to avoid time off work which, because I'm hourly paid, makes a trip expensive quickly!
I'm happy to arrange accomodation as a group or individually. Also happy to get a local taxi firm to drive us around!
It's possible to fly from Glasgow and not expensive but I think the boat trip should be pretty nice in June.
Flight times:
GLA-ILY friday 1430-1510
ILY-GLA sunday 1540-1620
No flights on tuesdays, wednesdays or saturdays.
Boat times:
Kennacraig - Port Askaig friday 1300 1505
Return Sunday via same route 1530-1735
What do you all think?
The stills will all be open 7 days by then I think (will check this!)
Slainte!
Anyway, here's a gratuitous pic to get people in the spirit of the thing:
So....
We're talking about the w/e of 5th June.
Personally, it would suit me to drive over on the Friday and have two nights on the island leaving Sunday. But I'm just trying to avoid time off work which, because I'm hourly paid, makes a trip expensive quickly!
I'm happy to arrange accomodation as a group or individually. Also happy to get a local taxi firm to drive us around!
It's possible to fly from Glasgow and not expensive but I think the boat trip should be pretty nice in June.
Flight times:
GLA-ILY friday 1430-1510
ILY-GLA sunday 1540-1620
No flights on tuesdays, wednesdays or saturdays.
Boat times:
Kennacraig - Port Askaig friday 1300 1505
Return Sunday via same route 1530-1735
What do you all think?
The stills will all be open 7 days by then I think (will check this!)
Slainte!
Edited by Lefty Two Drams on Tuesday 2nd February 12:08
On first glance this all appears good Lefty!
The ferry also seems like a reasonable plan - and presumably keeps costs and organisation down! Allows for a bit of leeway in timing too (missing flights if delayed etc etc).
Also very happy for it to be a long weekend as opposed to a longer stay (for financial reasons and otherwise).
So, heres the killer question - How much do you have to take with you to ensure coming home with the 'drams of choice' having sampled a 'couple'!?
The ferry also seems like a reasonable plan - and presumably keeps costs and organisation down! Allows for a bit of leeway in timing too (missing flights if delayed etc etc).
Also very happy for it to be a long weekend as opposed to a longer stay (for financial reasons and otherwise).
So, heres the killer question - How much do you have to take with you to ensure coming home with the 'drams of choice' having sampled a 'couple'!?
To be honest, my spending habits with whisky are probably not the same as others! Other things suffer though (I drive an old Shogun and my "good" car is just a Golf)...
I'll probably end up buying a few bottles, maybe 5-10. So I'll maybe allow myself £500 for buying whisky and a couple of hundred quid for the bar bill...
In actual fact, I think the flights would probably be around the same price as the boat (with a car). No point us all taking our cars over though, especially if we're getting a taxi to drive us round the distilleries, shops and pubs.
Once we've decided on an itinerary I'll make my mind up whether to get the boat or plane, car or train (to Glasgow airport).
I'll probably end up buying a few bottles, maybe 5-10. So I'll maybe allow myself £500 for buying whisky and a couple of hundred quid for the bar bill...
In actual fact, I think the flights would probably be around the same price as the boat (with a car). No point us all taking our cars over though, especially if we're getting a taxi to drive us round the distilleries, shops and pubs.
Once we've decided on an itinerary I'll make my mind up whether to get the boat or plane, car or train (to Glasgow airport).
Lefty Two Drams said:
In actual fact, I think the flights would probably be around the same price as the boat (with a car). No point us all taking our cars over though, especially if we're getting a taxi to drive us round the distilleries, shops and pubs.
Thats my ignorance kicking in (again). I'd assumed we'd all congregate at the port and just foot passenger over then taxi from the otherside!Im happy someone else is organising (as Im sure everyone else would be)
Well, that's kind of what I had in mind too but are you happy leaving your 911 sitting unattended outdoors in the west of scotland for a weekend? 
I'm quite happy to see what everyone else fancies doing and go with the majority.
I'm sure the bar on the boat will have a respectable range of drams!
With our trip being planned for the start of the summer season we probably want to be booking accomodation sooner rather than later...
I'm quite happy to see what everyone else fancies doing and go with the majority.
I'm sure the bar on the boat will have a respectable range of drams!
With our trip being planned for the start of the summer season we probably want to be booking accomodation sooner rather than later...
I'm quite happy to turn up at the ferry around lunchtime on the Friday, and to go with the flow, and make it up as we go along.
Can dump the car or take it over onto the island, not fussed either way. Will very likely be in the Fabia, so whilst there is room for five of us in it at a squeeze, boot space for luggage will be limited. But it might be a plan for the trip over to the island and getting settled in at the hotel, ready for the tour by taxi.
Would love to come in the Bentley, but I don't see the point as it would easily be three to four tanks of juice at £90 a pop! That buys a lot of malt
What sort of hotel rates are we leaning towards? and the approx cost of the taxi tours?
Warren.
Can dump the car or take it over onto the island, not fussed either way. Will very likely be in the Fabia, so whilst there is room for five of us in it at a squeeze, boot space for luggage will be limited. But it might be a plan for the trip over to the island and getting settled in at the hotel, ready for the tour by taxi.
Would love to come in the Bentley, but I don't see the point as it would easily be three to four tanks of juice at £90 a pop! That buys a lot of malt
What sort of hotel rates are we leaning towards? and the approx cost of the taxi tours?
Warren.
I can't do those dates 
When I was on Islay a couple of years ago we stayed in a B&B in Lagavullin. Using the local taxi (there was only one!) run by Fiona we managed to do Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavullin in one day but the Laphroaig tour over-ran and we had to leave before the free dram and time in the shop. We were invited to come back at the end of the day - which we did. My point is that it was tight to get those three done in one day and they are no more than a mile or so apart.
When I was on Islay a couple of years ago we stayed in a B&B in Lagavullin. Using the local taxi (there was only one!) run by Fiona we managed to do Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavullin in one day but the Laphroaig tour over-ran and we had to leave before the free dram and time in the shop. We were invited to come back at the end of the day - which we did. My point is that it was tight to get those three done in one day and they are no more than a mile or so apart.
Lefty Two Drams said:
In the same vein, I'd be more than happy to take the golf across - 5 seats and a reasonable-ish boot.
Not sure on hotel/b+b/taxi costs yet. Will do some research! In fact, I think somebody has already quoted taxi costs on the big whisky thread...
Slainte
Iain
If I'm going to have a nice long drive up to bonnie Scots land then I'd be gutted not to give the 3.2 a quick airing... Not sure on hotel/b+b/taxi costs yet. Will do some research! In fact, I think somebody has already quoted taxi costs on the big whisky thread...
Slainte
Iain
And anyway, whats all this talk of luggage, its just a pair of pants and a plastic bag for the purchases en route no?
KB_S1 said:
Careful on the Sunday opening
That's a damn good point now its mentioned. Strict observers of the sabbath - but those roads suddenly get busy as soon as its midday. And the queue outside Coop is heaving (for Islay).Just checked Ardbeg though - where else would you start (and finish). There is seven day opening from June. That surprises me.
Up front planning should ensure no disappointments. Wish I was going to be there, but alas.
Balls, I'm not going to manage that weekend - I'm a 'tard.
Going to Normandy!
Still very keen to do an Islay run sometime though... I've even got a photo that I took of the Srdbeg 'still from the ferry set as my windows backdrop. Dual screens here so when I'msurfing phworking with one screen I can gaze at the rugged beauty and promise of what lies within...
Going to Normandy!
Still very keen to do an Islay run sometime though... I've even got a photo that I took of the Srdbeg 'still from the ferry set as my windows backdrop. Dual screens here so when I'm
Lefty Two Drams said:
Balls, I'm not going to manage that weekend - I'm a 'tard.
Going to Normandy!
Still very keen to do an Islay run sometime though... I've even got a photo that I took of the Srdbeg 'still from the ferry set as my windows backdrop. Dual screens here so when I'msurfing phworking with one screen I can gaze at the rugged beauty and promise of what lies within...
Balls indeed!!! Going to Normandy!
Still very keen to do an Islay run sometime though... I've even got a photo that I took of the Srdbeg 'still from the ferry set as my windows backdrop. Dual screens here so when I'm
Let us know what the revised plan is then and lets get something 'firmed up'.
In case you need an excuse for a slightly earlier date I got this today...
Friends of Laphroaig mailout said:
Dear Paul,
Well “officially” the winter is over. But today we are still getting flakes of snow coming down! No one here can remember the last time Islay got so much snow over the winter season. I have read that it has been the coldest Scottish winter since official records began in 1910.It has certainly felt like it.
So now is a good time to look forward to warmer days! We are now preparing for this year’s Feis Ile in May. In fact your special Feis Ile “Cairdeas” expression is being bottled today. It’s a cracking expression which I am certain you will love, but I will tell you more about it closer to the time.
What I would like to do is give you all the details about the Feis Ile as we are doing a very special event this year.
“The Gathering”- In addition to our traditional “open day” we have organised a special evening exclusively for you, the friends of Laphroaig .It is to be our first ever official “Gathering of our clan” and will be held on Sunday May the 23rd at 6.30 PM.
We are inviting all “Friends” who are on the island that day to meet at the distillery. However as will become clear we will need prior notice of those of you who can come and join us.
The famous “Wellies”
As most of you will know the original way to find your plot was by measuring it out with a pair of Wellington boots (tie with string at the top to exclude any inquisitive stoats as I recall!). To commemorate this we are having some special wellies made especially for the event. These boots (in Laphroaig green of course) will also have “The Gathering” printed on the side surrounded by a border of Johnston tartan. They look terrific. These are good quality wellington boots which I am sure you will want to use later so we are asking everyone who wants to come to enter their foot size on this web page http://www.laphroaig.com/friends/gathering/. We will then get your own boots especially ordered.
Once everyone has donned their wellies we will proceed to “The Plots” where we will take you to your exact plot location.
The “Friends” Toast
Well actually you will not be going straight to your plot. Firstly we will be arming you with your “rent”, but since it’s such a special occasion (and you may have lots of people to toast!) we will be giving you 3 different Laphroaig miniatures to toast with. Then we thought that swigging it out of a bottle would not be right for such an occasion, so you will also receive one of our special Laphroaig engraved “dram glasses “ to make your toast with. And of course a personal certificate to certify your presence at “The Gathering”.
Then we will go to the plots for our toasts! We aim to raise our glasses at exactly 7.30PM (Islay time). We of course invite all of you who around the World who cannot come, to raise a glass at the same time and please do send in pictures of your toast to the friends website. We will of course be filming the actual event itself which we will put up on the site later.
The Barn dance
No “Gathering” would be complete without a Ceilidh (party) so after” the plot toasts” we will all return to the distillery where the barn dance will commence with music from David Adams and his musical friends – Oh, but before we do, we will have one more group toast (why not!). This will be from my friends 2010 Cairdeas bottling – just to get the party going!
Tickets
The special ‘wellies’ are good quality and are a “one off” for “The Gathering” so we will need to charge £25 for “The Gathering”, which includes everything I have mentioned above which I hope is ok. If you can come please go to the special page on your website http://www.laphroaig.com/friends/gathering/ and enter your personal wellie size, Vicky will contact you to take payment. We must close the invitations by the 12th March 2010 to give the manufacturer time to make all the boots to your sizes.
Our Laphroaig “Open Day” is two days later, Tuesday May 25th .There will be a huge range of “special” tastings conducted by Simon Brooking, David Adams, our master blender Robert Hicks and yours truly, including 5 tastings on our local island of Texa! (Not for those who suffer sea sickness!), a sensory challenge plus tastings at our peat beds water source and malting floors during the week. We are also proud to welcome “Graham and Sheila” authors of the best selling book” The Whisky Kitchen” who will be demonstrating their culinary expertise with Laphroaig. The evening will round off with live music from singer, songwriter Bridgid Kaelin who we met whilst we were filming Distillery Live last year in Kentucky. To find out all the details just go to http://www.laphroaig.com/feisile/index.asp
I wish you could all be here for these special events. For those who cannot attend, we will be filming as much of it as possible and I will post it up on your website a week later. That’s all for now. By the way a huge thank you to all of you who sent me and my team Christmas cards, they are much appreciated!
Slainte Mathe
Well “officially” the winter is over. But today we are still getting flakes of snow coming down! No one here can remember the last time Islay got so much snow over the winter season. I have read that it has been the coldest Scottish winter since official records began in 1910.It has certainly felt like it.
So now is a good time to look forward to warmer days! We are now preparing for this year’s Feis Ile in May. In fact your special Feis Ile “Cairdeas” expression is being bottled today. It’s a cracking expression which I am certain you will love, but I will tell you more about it closer to the time.
What I would like to do is give you all the details about the Feis Ile as we are doing a very special event this year.
“The Gathering”- In addition to our traditional “open day” we have organised a special evening exclusively for you, the friends of Laphroaig .It is to be our first ever official “Gathering of our clan” and will be held on Sunday May the 23rd at 6.30 PM.
We are inviting all “Friends” who are on the island that day to meet at the distillery. However as will become clear we will need prior notice of those of you who can come and join us.
The famous “Wellies”
As most of you will know the original way to find your plot was by measuring it out with a pair of Wellington boots (tie with string at the top to exclude any inquisitive stoats as I recall!). To commemorate this we are having some special wellies made especially for the event. These boots (in Laphroaig green of course) will also have “The Gathering” printed on the side surrounded by a border of Johnston tartan. They look terrific. These are good quality wellington boots which I am sure you will want to use later so we are asking everyone who wants to come to enter their foot size on this web page http://www.laphroaig.com/friends/gathering/. We will then get your own boots especially ordered.
Once everyone has donned their wellies we will proceed to “The Plots” where we will take you to your exact plot location.
The “Friends” Toast
Well actually you will not be going straight to your plot. Firstly we will be arming you with your “rent”, but since it’s such a special occasion (and you may have lots of people to toast!) we will be giving you 3 different Laphroaig miniatures to toast with. Then we thought that swigging it out of a bottle would not be right for such an occasion, so you will also receive one of our special Laphroaig engraved “dram glasses “ to make your toast with. And of course a personal certificate to certify your presence at “The Gathering”.
Then we will go to the plots for our toasts! We aim to raise our glasses at exactly 7.30PM (Islay time). We of course invite all of you who around the World who cannot come, to raise a glass at the same time and please do send in pictures of your toast to the friends website. We will of course be filming the actual event itself which we will put up on the site later.
The Barn dance
No “Gathering” would be complete without a Ceilidh (party) so after” the plot toasts” we will all return to the distillery where the barn dance will commence with music from David Adams and his musical friends – Oh, but before we do, we will have one more group toast (why not!). This will be from my friends 2010 Cairdeas bottling – just to get the party going!
Tickets
The special ‘wellies’ are good quality and are a “one off” for “The Gathering” so we will need to charge £25 for “The Gathering”, which includes everything I have mentioned above which I hope is ok. If you can come please go to the special page on your website http://www.laphroaig.com/friends/gathering/ and enter your personal wellie size, Vicky will contact you to take payment. We must close the invitations by the 12th March 2010 to give the manufacturer time to make all the boots to your sizes.
Our Laphroaig “Open Day” is two days later, Tuesday May 25th .There will be a huge range of “special” tastings conducted by Simon Brooking, David Adams, our master blender Robert Hicks and yours truly, including 5 tastings on our local island of Texa! (Not for those who suffer sea sickness!), a sensory challenge plus tastings at our peat beds water source and malting floors during the week. We are also proud to welcome “Graham and Sheila” authors of the best selling book” The Whisky Kitchen” who will be demonstrating their culinary expertise with Laphroaig. The evening will round off with live music from singer, songwriter Bridgid Kaelin who we met whilst we were filming Distillery Live last year in Kentucky. To find out all the details just go to http://www.laphroaig.com/feisile/index.asp
I wish you could all be here for these special events. For those who cannot attend, we will be filming as much of it as possible and I will post it up on your website a week later. That’s all for now. By the way a huge thank you to all of you who sent me and my team Christmas cards, they are much appreciated!
Slainte Mathe
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