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A Caledonian MacBrayne ferry approaches Port Askaig harbour past moored fishing boats, an old cannon on the grassy foreground bank.
Isle of Islay

Port Askaig

Islay's northern ferry port, a tiny white village on the Sound of Islay, half a mile across the water from Jura.

Welcome

Port Askaig has been a gateway to Islay for centuries: ships from West Loch Tarbert on Kintyre have called here since the 1700s, and a steamer ran from Glasgow as early as 1825.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Today it is a tiny white village at the foot of a wooded hill on the Sound of Islay, half a mile across the water from Jura, and while Port Ellen is closed for upgrades (from 2 June 2026, expected to reopen in 2029) it is the island's only ferry port. Its day follows the ferries: busy when the big CalMac boat is due, quiet between, with the little Jura ferry crossing to Feolin through the day.

There is a shop, the whitewashed Port Askaig Hotel with its lawn running down to the water, the lifeboat station, opened in 1934 and open to visitors, and fishing boats moored at the quay. The harbour was rebuilt between 2006 and 2009 with a new terminal and berths. Caol Ila Distillery is just to the north, and Bunnahabhain lies three and a half miles up a minor road.

Before you go

Ferries from Kennacraig on Kintyre sail into Port Askaig, and the small Jura ferry crosses the Sound to Feolin through the day.

The road climbs steeply out of the village to the A846.

Getting there
CalMac’s ferry from Kennacraig sails to Port Askaig while Port Ellen is closed for upgrades (from 2 June 2026, expected to reopen in 2029); Port Askaig is about 20.8 miles from Port Ellen. Or fly from Glasgow to Islay Airport.
Jura ferry
To Feolin, across the Sound of Islay.

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Did you know

A Caledonian MacBrayne ferry manoeuvres into Port Askaig harbour past fishing boats flying a Saltire flag.
Did you know

A steamer from Glasgow in 1825.

Ships from West Loch Tarbert have called at Port Askaig since the 1700s, and a steamer service from Glasgow came here as early as 1825.

A red and white fishing boat marked LH.229 is moored at a stone harbour beneath distant hills.
Did you know

A lifeboat named for a father.

Islay's lifeboat, Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II, was paid for largely by Baron Bruno Schroder of Dunlossit House and his sister, in memory of their father.

The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry Fionnlagan is moored at a stone jetty beside stacks of lobster creels.
Did you know

A rebuilt harbour.

Between 2006 and 2009 the harbour was rebuilt at a cost of 13.7 million pounds, with a new terminal, a new linkspan for the Islay ferry and a new berth for the Jura ferry.

Fishing boats and a small ferry are moored at a stone harbour at low tide, hills rising across the water beyond.
Did you know

Half a mile to Jura.

The Sound of Islay is only half a mile wide here, and Jura's only road begins at the slipway at Feolin on the far side.

A Caledonian MacBrayne ferry approaches Port Askaig harbour past moored fishing boats, an old cannon on the grassy foreground bank.
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Where it is

Port Askaig, on the Sound of Islay, Isle of Islay, PA46.

Close byIn the north-east of Islay.
  1. Jura Ferry, Port Askaig to FeolinJura Ferry, Port Askaig to FeolinThe council car ferry across the Sound of Islay, ten minutes from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin on Jura.Under a mile 11 min by road
  2. Masked woman packs boxes in a pottery studio lined with unglazed ceramics and paint bottlesPersabus Pottery, Ceramics and ArtA pottery and art studio on a working farm near Port Askaig, where you can paint your own pot.1 mile 2 min by road
  3. Caol Ila DistilleryCaol Ila DistilleryThe distillery on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig, the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker, looking across to Jura.2 miles 5 min by road
  4. The long bar at the Ballygrant Inn, stools along the counter and shelves of whisky behind.Ballygrant InnA family-run inn near Port Askaig with rooms, home cooking and an award-winning whisky bar.3 miles 5 min by road
  5. Two crumbling stone gables of a ruined castle rise beside a lochFinlaggan Castle3 miles 7 min by road
  6. FinlagganFinlagganThe loch where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles ruled the western seaboard, with a walkway to their island and its chapel.3 miles 8 min by road
Directions
White distillery wall with black lettering beside a pier and lochAttractionsBunnahabhain Distillery4.5 miles
Camus an Staca standing alone on the moor above the Sound of Jura.AttractionsCamus an Staca5.5 miles
Shelves of Jura whisky bottles in the distillery shop.AttractionsIsle of Jura Distillery8.8 miles
ToursJura Guided8.8 miles
Tables and chairs in the wood-panelled room at the Antlers in Craighouse.ShoppingThe Antlers8.9 miles
The Jura Community Shop, a timber building with a red telephone box beside it in Craighouse.ShoppingJura Community Shop8.9 miles
The Jura Hotel's restaurant with its tables laid under a painted ceiling.RestaurantsThe Jura Hotel Restaurant8.9 miles
Tartan and tweed pieces made at Camella Crafts, folded on a table.ShoppingCamella Crafts9.0 miles
Rows of Deer Island rum bottles with turquoise caps.AttractionsDeer Island Distillery9.0 miles

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