Where to find Bluebells in Islay

Before I lived in Scotland, I didn’t know what a bluebell was. For Americans, bluebells in Scotland (or even bluebells in Islay) wasn’t a thing you knew about. Blue Bell is an American brand of ice cream, which evokes happy memories. On this side of the world, bluebells are flowers, which similarly evoke feelings of happiness.

To introduce you to these delightful flowers, some brief facts:

• Bluebells are common in the UK, but not really in the rest of the world. In fact, than half of the worlds bluebells are in the UK. 
• But don’t go picking them from the wild, they’re protected under the Wildlife and Conservation Act of 1981.

Where bluebells grow, on the ground of ancient forests, they blanket the forest floor.  And I guess that makes sense why there would be so many bluebells in Scotland – Scotland is home to so much ancient, old forestry.

Even though the bluebells lay a purple carpet down in the woodlands, resist the urge to go frolicking inside the bluebells. Damage to the plant caused by accidentally stepping on it, basically cuts off the plant’s food supply and it subsequently dies. Bluebells are a delicate thing.

Now that I live on the Isle of Islay, I was pleasantly surprised that there are several areas on the island that bluebells happily grow. Although the normal blooming season on mainland UK is closer to April / May, on Islay, bluebells can be seen well into June.

1. Best place for Bluebells in Islay – Bridgend Woods

One of the best places for bluebells on Islay is the Bridgend Woods, located just across the street from Islay House Square.

A few weeks ago, I visited Nerabus Gin (a local, small batch gin producer) for a chat and some gin cocktails. Having drove on my own, I decided a walk in Bridgend Woods would be the perfect way to sober up, post-cocktails. Being a solo traveler, I have to be my own designated driver. So I always plan my drinks and time accordingly, and have something planned post-drinks in order to be able to drive myself home afterward. A walk in Bridgend woods was arguably my best idea for sobering up yet.

For those planning on visiting Bridgend woods, head towards Islay House Square. Just inside the turn, off of the A846, there is a car park for the woods.  The entrance to the woods is just on the opposite side of the street, through the gates.

You quickly go from walking in from the road, to a quiet and serene magical forest setting. There is a good path to follow all the way through.  Within a matter of steps, you start to see bluebells on both sides of you.

There are different ways to turn along the path, but you won’t get lost. And you won’t be short of bluebells either!

2. Three Distilleries Path

I walk the Three Distilleries Path quite often, since its starting point is in Port Ellen. The Three Distilleries Path is one way road / seaside trail that runs from Port Ellen to Ardbeg. Along the way, you pass by Laphroaig Distillery, Lagavulin Distillery, and then finally (the northernmost), Ardbeg Distillery.

Since the path itself is one way, personally, I like to take the bus one way from Port Ellen to Ardbeg (for 2£, runs Monday – Saturday, about every 2 hours) and then walk back.

While there aren’t bluebells along the whole path, they’re mostly in the sections from Ardbeg and Lagavulin, and Lagavulin and Laphroaig. And, they’re right alongside the Three Distilleries Path! You don’t have to go traipsing into the wild just to see these stunners. Keep to the path, and there will be bluebells!

Parting Thoughts on Bluebells in Islay

It’s always fun finding the special things about a new place. Bluebells simply aren’t a thing in America! But I do love them, and I love that they’re so easy to find on Islay.

Well, I’m new to Islay, so this isn’t a full list. Of course, as I get to know my new home a bit more, I’ll be updating this list to include new places as I discover them! Local Ileachs, share your favorite place for bluebells in Islay is and let me know in the comments!

If you’re considering coming to Islay for some bluebells, check out my other Islay posts:

• my ultimate Islay guide;
• Glenegedale House, the most luxurious B&B on Islay with incredible food and hospitality;
• Port Charlotte Hotel – sea views, lively whisky bar, and delicious food;
• a walk on the Three Distilleries Path with SMWS;
• Kilchoman Distillery’s Feis Ile whisky tastings;
• or take the ferry to neighboring Colonsay – a wee island, with gins and seafood!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

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