Museum of Islay Life

23/09/2026

🍂Closing date 🍂
It's getting to that time of year again the museum will be closing it's doors for the winter. Our last day will be Wednesday the 30th of September - next week.

We may open by request over the winter period.
Any questions, we'll be here, email us at [email protected] or message us here on Facebook.

15/09/2026

Silver and Gold watch-style bracelet found in the museum. If you've lost one similar let us know.

Message us here on Facebook or give us a ring on 10496 850358.

12/08/2026

Show Day
Just a wee note to say the Museum will be closed tomorrow, Thursday the 13th of August, for the Islay, Jura & Colonsay Agricultural Show.

Here are a few pictures of the show from the 1950s-70s from the museum archives.

08/07/2026

05/06/2026

Two very Lucky winners with three prizes from our Tombola in the Museum yesterday - including a bottle of ch*****ne!!
Loads more prizes to be won, still yet to have a winner for any of our bottles of Islay wh**ky!!

29/05/2026

Uisge-beatha agus taighean-staile Ìle
Islay's Wh**ky History - Something to read with a wee dram 🥃

In the mid 1600s Wh**ky, which many locals distilled themselves, became heavily taxed for the first time (This tax became a lot greater in 1707 when Great Britain was formed and these laws often favoured the Scottish lowlands). These taxes were completely unsustainable..

During this time Ileach's moved their stills to glens or sea caves to keep them hidden. Taxmen were avoided by fishermen sending smoke signals, or messages by horse to hide stills. Some pretended to speak only Gàidhlig. Often taxmen avoided policing Islay, during the "smuggling" period Ileach's often used violence, ambushing and kidnapping of taxmen. (Although, some were just bribed by a wee dram or two).

After huge riots in the 1720s, Bowmore Single Malt Wh**ky became the first legal distillery on the island in 1779, It was followed by a new law in 1823 which made legal distilling and selling profitable and fair. By the 1950s Islay had 7 distilleries and since then that number has continued to grow.

Here are some pictures gathered from the archives of Islay's distilleries over the years.

Slàinte mhath agus Tha mi an dòchas gun còrd an Fhèis Ìle ribh! 🥃

29/05/2026

Museum Fèis Ìle Tombola
Pop into the museum and have a go at our Tombola, £1 per ticket.
Huge range of prizes including, Islay wh**ky, Rum, B**r, The Port Charlotte Hotel restaurant vouchers and so much more.

Open as normal Monday - Friday, from 10:30 to 4:30

05/05/2026

Can you help us?
Does anyone recognise the man and/or horse in this picture? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you 😁

30/04/2026

We've been a bit quiet on our social media the past couple of weeks - we've been kept busy by over 500 visitors at the museum this month!
You'll be hearing a bit more from us in the coming weeks on the run up to Fèis.
In the mean time, come and visit us weekdays between 10:30 and 4:30 while the sun's still shining! ☀️

01/04/2026

We are open!
Come and visit the museum on weekdays from 10:30-4:30
Having made some changes over the winter, we’re looking forward to our new displays to be on show.