Three Distilleries Walk

0.00 km – On Frederick Crescent with the 3 mile signpost to Ardbeg TURN LEFT to follow the signpost and ascend out of Port Ellen village. 

0.28 km – Cross the road opposite the school to turn left onto the 3 distilleries path and continue STRAIGHT ON with the stone wall and field on your left and fields on your right. 

0.49 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON the path beside the road as you cross over a track. 

1.50 km – Here you can take a detour to follow the signpost for the MacDougall monument just 50 m off the path behind the wall.  Otherwise, continue STRAIGHT ON along the path beside the road. 

1.60 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON to cross a track cutting the path and continue towards the distillery warehouses ahead on the right.  

2.00 km – After passing the warehouses continue STRAIGHT ON over the pedestrian crossing and BEAR RIGHT onto the tarred and fenced path through the trees.  In 100 m continue STRAIGHT ON over the bridge. 

2.20 km – Here you can TURN RIGHT to visit the Laphroaig distillery.  Otherwise, continue STRAIGHT ON to pass Lagavulin and Ardbeg. 

3.00 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON over a bridge on the path. 

3.40 km – With the Storm Pods signpost to your right continue STRAIGHT ON into Lagavulin village and ascend on the path. 

3.50 km – Pass through the stone wall to continue on the quiet minor road (please take care of traffic) and continue through the village. 

3.70 km – With Lagavulin distillery on your right you can TURN RIGHT to visit the distillery or continue STRAIGHT ON to reach Ardbeg further along the path. 

4.10 km – Continue out of Lagavulin village and TURN RIGHT to rejoin the 3 distilleries path along the left-hand side of the road and the stone wall.

4.20 km – Here you can take a 1 km detour to Dunyvaig Castle ruins.  TURN RIGHT off the 3 distilleries path and descend on a track passes housing on your left.   

4.40 km – At the end of the track with the house on your left continue STRAIGHT ON to the grassy path down to the castle in 300 m with great views of Lagavulin across the bay.  Retrace your steps back to the 3 distilleries path. 

5.20 km – At the T-junction with the 3 distilleries path TURN RIGHT onto the path and continue towards Ardbeg. 

5.70 km – TURN LEFT to cross the road then TURN RIGHT to continue on the 3 distilleries path now with the road on your right-hand side.  You can now see Ardbeg down by the shore ahead on your right. 

6.00 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON passing through two metal gates. 

6.10 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON over the bridge then BEAR RIGHT to cross the road (pass the bus stop) into the Ardbeg distillery grounds.  If you wish to visit the distillery follow the Ardbeg signposts to TURN RIGHT and descend into the car park. 

6.30 km – From the visitor centre car park ascend slightly back to the entrance to Ardbeg and TURN LEFT to regain the 3 Distilleries path to retrace your steps all the way along on the 3 distilleries path back to Port Ellen. Alternatively, depending on the bus timetable you could catch a bus from any of the distilleries back to Port Ellen.  

11.70 km – You have now arrived back on Frederick Crescent in Port Ellen.  After a few drams you’ll likely be ready for a good meal – why not try one of the bistros along Frederick Crescent or make your way to the Islay Hotel.