Islay Outdoors
Islay Outdoors
5
About
Islay Outdoor offers bespoke guided tours on the Island of Islay. We offer wildlife walks, seashore foraging, fishing trips, beachcombing, bird watching and guided hill running. You can also have the opportunity of trying some wllderness camping. Your guide is a Green Badge with the Scottish Tourists Guide Association and can offer whole day activities.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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5.0
91 reviews
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91
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Woody P
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
This was one of the best guiding experiences I have ever had. We did a custom tour, half wildlife, half bird watching, but DJ threw in some sites of historical and archaeological interest too. He is so passionate about the island and its wildlife and history. We went to some remote places I don't think we would ever have reached without him. We saw Golden Eagles, Harriers, Seals, Roe Deer, Red Deer, Choughs, and too many other wading and sea birds to mention here. It was my favorite day on the island.
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyage62700797478
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
This was a second visit to Islay after an 8 year interval and I wanted to squeeze in some time for birding alongside a packed schedule of distillery visits with a group of fellow whisky drinkers. Since I only had a half day free in our itinerary I wanted someone who would know where to go and what to look for. I investigated options and every time Donald's name cropped up. "He's your man" I was told. How true this turned out to be. Donald picked two of us up from our B&B in Bowmore and off we went for a wonderful afternoon exploring various habitats and seeing a great variety of birds. Donald has a calmness and mild manner that's infectious and undoubtedly added to the feeling of having had an exciting yet relaxing morning. He has a wealth of knowledge about the island and certainly knows some great spots for a relatively short few hours of birding. Whilst you can't ask nature to perform on demand, I was desperate to spot my first Hen Harrier. With half an hour remaining on our trip we were starting to head back in the direction of Bowmore with the feeling that it wasn't to be......until a few hundred yards away cutting across fields and then quartering back and forth above fields, a male harrier. I was thrilled and what made it special is that despite this being a relatively common sighting for inhabitants of Islay, Donald was clearly equally delighted that we ticked off the key bird at the top of our list. If I'm back in the future I won't hesitate to call on his guiding expertise again.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Friederike I
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
Since 2017, we are going with Donald James also for bird-watching. He has got a lot of experience and a good eye for finding the animals. We do not getting tired to listen to his stories. And he doesn't get tired to show interesting locations.
We hope, he will take us also next year!
We hope, he will take us also next year!
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L0nd0n_traveller_99
Munich, Germany7 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We had such a lovely day exploring Islay with DJ who taught us about the flora and fauna, and history, of Islay. He shared his passion and enthusiasm for the island. We saw sea eagles, Chough, barnacle geese, and so much more. DJ took us to some tucked away places that we would never have found. His knowledge of seasonal interest on Islay made for an amazing day. His wife’s pancakes were a real treat!
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So pleased that you enjoyed your tour with me and managed to spot some of Islay’s wildlife. Perhaps you will return to the island and we can tour a different part of the island and my wife can make more pancakes for your trip! All the best, Donald
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mitch H
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Donald is an amazing guide and host. Exceeded our expectations by introducing us to the natural beauty of Islay including birds, wildlife, landscapes, and traversing a sand dune. Truly an adventure of a lifetime.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write this nice review and pleased you enjoyed yourselves. We did have a great day and I never tire of seeing the beauty of our island. I was pleased to share it with you. Best wishes, Donald
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jim H
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Friends
We were a party of three booked on a full day tour with Donald. We had a thoroughly enjoyable day despite some pretty poor weather, as Donald worked very hard to dodge the worst of the heavy showers, and still managed to take us on a fascinating mixed tour of the west of Islay. This included several of the villages, a number of surprising historical sites and some good opportunities to observe some of the Islay wildlife. All in all, an excellent day out despite the rain !
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for taking the time to write this review. So pleased that you all enjoyed yourselves even though the heaven’s opened! Many thanks again, Donald
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VisitorfromMpls
Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
My husband and I are really glad we signed up for a tour with Donald; we saw so much that we wouldn't have been able to find on our own. He spent a few minutes at the beginning of the tour to find out what we wanted to see (historical sites and wildlife) and then gave us a lot of great options. We started with a walk on the grounds of Islay House and Bridgend Woods and then we did a tour of various sites in the Rhinns of Islay (the most remote part of Islay), including the bird sanctuary at Loch Gruinart and the very scenic villages of Port Wemyss and Portnahaven. Donald is really great at spotting wildlife and we saw many things that we wouldn't have been able to identify on our own, like sea eagles and chough. He also gave us opportunities to walk around at times, which to me is the best way to experience a place. If you want to explore the beautiful scenery of Islay, and to learn a little bit of its history, you can't go wrong with Donald! Highly Recommended.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So pleased that you enjoyed your tour and we managed to spot a variety of wildlife. Thanks for taking the time to write this lovely review and perhaps see you again if you return to Islay. Best wishes, Donald
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
M M
Abingdon, UK11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We have been coming to Islay for 6 years now and our walks with Donald are always a highlight. His knowledge of the landscape, its wildlife and its history is second to none and he always tailors the walks to our requests. (Most of us) have seen golden eagles, sea eagles, sea otters, peregrine, chough and adders, to name a few, on our walks and nothing is ever too much trouble. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a day or more with Donald - you won’t regret it!
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Once again it was a pleasure to take your family out and about on an adventure. I am just so pleased that everyone enjoys their outings and look forward to another tour perhaps next year! All the best, Donald
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Philip
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Lovely day out with Donald. I was a bit unsure how a full day tour would go with 10 and 6 yo children, but Donald planned a great mix of activities. We say sea eagles & hen harriers, the children caught crabs and lobster. We looked for fish in the loch before raking for cockles and picking winkles. A bit more touring, some valuable insight on what's about (leading to a close up golden eagle that evening near our cottage). All in all a successful day and a great guide for grown-ups or children.
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. So pleased that your children enjoyed the experience and brilliant that we caught a lobster! The golden eagle spying at the end of your day was an added bonus! Thanks again, Donald
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
elisesmom2016
Minneapolis, MN56 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
While my husband did a 1/2 day whisky tour, my daughter and I took a tour with Donald. He worked with what we wanted and we had so much fun. We asked for lobstering, cockle-ing, some island and some historical. Donald was on point with our tour. My daughter loved searching for (and finding) cockles. I was so excited to see seals. And, we saw dolphin dorsal fins (pretty cool). Donald is very knowledgeable about pretty much everything on the island. Check him out, you won’t regret it. (Note: we made pasta with the cockles we found for dinner, so good)
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So pleased you both enjoyed your day. It’s lovely to hear that you enjoyed cooking your seashore foraged food. We were lucky with the weather and also seeing the dolphin fins. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review as it’s very much appreciated. It was lovely meeting you and perhaps we will meet again if you return to Islay on another trip. Best regards, Donald
Written 17 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Claim your listingISLAY OUTDOORS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Islay Outdoors
- Hotels near Islay Outdoors:
- (0.05 mi) Kentraw Farmhouse
- (0.66 mi) Loch Gorm House
- (0.63 mi) Tigh Na Sgeiran Bed & Breakfast
- (3.32 mi) The Bowmore House
- (3.31 mi) Lambeth Guest House
- Restaurants near Islay Outdoors:
- (3.26 mi) Peatzeria
- (2.94 mi) Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant
- (0.90 mi) Bruichladdich Mini Market
- (3.19 mi) Harbour Inn
- (4.26 mi) Bridgend Hotel Restaurant
- Attractions near Islay Outdoors:
- (1.05 mi) Bruichladdich Distillery
- (3.16 mi) Bowmore Distillery
- (2.84 mi) Kilchoman Distillery
- (2.80 mi) Museum of Islay Life
- (2.68 mi) RSPB Loch Gruinart Reserve