A quick look on Google will remind you that Cullen Skink is a thick Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. Although the soup originates from the town of Cullen it is generally recognised as a speciality fish soup throughout Scotland. Recently there has been some criticism on Trip Advisor about the standard […]
Deer Management on Islay
Islay Estates Company reported a slight increase in the size of its deer herd at the recent Deer Management Group meeting on Islay. With a total population of 2,032 deer this is up by 19 head on last year. The deer are managed by the two keepers, Scott Brown and Alan MacDonald who take guests […]
ISLAY ESTATES HOUSING POLICY
Islay Estates Company (IEC) has recently come under criticism regarding the way that the Estate is managed and in particular its approach to housing on the island. Many people on the island are aware of the situation but for the benefit of those, particularly further afield, who are prone to jump to ill-informed conclusions, the […]
Farming at Gartbreck
Last year Nigel and Donald McKerrell retired from farming and their farms at Gartbreck and Ronnachmore – just to the southwest of Bowmore – came back in hand. This year Islay Estates have been working the ground, repairing the fences and thereby increasing the productivity of the land. Just over 9 hectares of barley have […]
For Sale – Newton Schoolhouse
Islay Estates is offering Newton School for sale at the reduced price of £95,000. This is an excellent opportunity for someone to create their own unique Islay home near Bridgend, close to the centre of Islay. The building is substantial and stone built with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. It does require complete renovation […]
Port Ellen Primary School Learn About Fishing
On Friday 26th April Janice Macrae organised a trip for some children from Port Ellen Primary School to learn about fishing on Islay. This is part of a project organised by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust http://www.scaet.org.uk/ which aims to reconnect young people with the countryside by coordinating schools with local estates. 16 pupils from […]
Hotel Refurbishment 2013
Bridgend Hotel is owned by Islay Estates Company and managed in-hand by Lorna McKechnie. The Hotel tries to reflect all that is best on Islay by using game from the Estate, locally caught fish (mainly shellfish) and produce from the farms on the Island. We are lucky to employ a lot of local staff – Lorna […]
Game Sales
As the shooting season is well upon us, please get in touch with the Estate Office if you would like to purchase some game. Woodcock, venison and pheasant are on sale – all subject to availability.
Bridgend Hotel Refurbishment
Bridgend Hotel will be closed during February as it is undergoing refurbishment. The Lounge Bar is being done up and will be known as ‘The Strath’ from now on; the downstairs lavatories are also going to receive some much-needed attention. Please come and see the changes from the 4th March onwards.
Project Shoreline
Islay Estates is working closely with Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) and Argyll and Bute Council to provide a number of affordable homes on Islay. The plan is to develop some of the land to the south west of Bowmore in order to provide some residential and commercial premises as well as upgrading the leisure […]
