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Islay has a small airport some four miles from Tigh Cargaman towards Bowmore. Monday to Friday there are two commercial flights a day leaving Glasgow at 0800 and 1630 and leaving Islay at 0910 and 1740. On Saturdays flights leave Glasgow at 0900 and Islay at 1010; there is no evening flight in either direction and on Sundays there are no flights at all.

The service is operated by Loganair under a franchise from British Airways using Saab SF330 planes.

Bookings can be made on the main British Airways site at www.britishairways.com  or 0845 7733377 (in the UK).  Islay Airport telephone is +44 (0)1496 2022.

The actual flying time is very short, about 25 minutes, with wonderful views over Scotland's West Coast on a clear day.

You can book journeys to Islay from most of the World via British Airways, alternatively a number of other airlines fly to Glasgow or Edinburgh. There are good transport services between Edinburgh and Glasgow airports; allow an hour's journey time. Airlines serving Glasgow and Edinburgh can be found via the BAA websites: Glasgow and Edinburgh. Note that Ryan Air flies to Glasgow Prestwick which is 35 miles from Glasgow and at least an hour's travelling time from Glasgow Airport and the flights to Islay.

Beware that under BA's iniquitous (iniquitous because this is a lifeline service that islanders depend on) pricing system you can pay in the region of £80 for a return trip Glasgow - Islay, but at other times more than twice that. Book early and don't travel on Summer Saturdays is the best way of getting cheaper fares. Pleas from islanders for two flights on a Saturday particularly in the summer have fallen on deaf ears at BA despite the obvious demand and the importance to tourism on the island.

Be warned that, particularly in the winter months, because instrument landings are not possible at Islay, flights are often subject to delays and cancellation, and catching onward connections can be a risky business particularly if the onward connection is on a budget "no frills" airline where there'll be no compensation for a missed flight whatever the cause!

If you are arriving by air you may wish to hire a car for your time on Islay. Car hire is available from D & N Mackenzie, The Garage, Glenegadale, Port Ellen PA42 7AS which is adjacent to the airport. Car hire starts at £25 a day inclusive. Telephone +44 (0)1496 2300. By arrangement with D & N Mckenzie you can collect and leave your hire car at the airport on arrival and departure.

You will probably be surprised to find there are no taxis at the airport and no connecting bus service. You can, of course, telephone for a taxi, but if you are staying at Tigh Cargaman we can usually arrange to collect you from the airport if you ask, with no extra charge.