Bowmore lies on the shores of Loch Indaal. Its planned history, whisky, leisure facilities and natural surroundings offer different ways to plan a stay. If you’re looking for hotels in Bowmore, you can first decide whether local history and whisky, swimming and sauna, or birdwatching interest you most. The specific features of each offering can help you choose your focus more precisely.
History and The Round Church
Bowmore was founded as a planned town in the late 1760s. “The Round Church” was built in 1767 as the first building in the planned village. It is the only completely circular church in Scotland. Its role as the first building makes it a tangible point of reference for the history of the planned settlement. The church is at the top end of Bowmore’s main street and welcomes visitors. Check the current visiting arrangements before your trip.
Whisky in Bowmore
Bowmore Distillery is located on School Street in Bowmore and is the oldest distillery on Islay. Its visitor centre offers visitor experiences, tastings and tours. The Bowmore Whisky Tasting Bar also offers whisky tastings, here with a view across Loch Indaal. This gives you two distinct ways to enjoy whisky: the visitor centre’s experiences and tastings with a view. As arrangements may change, check the details relevant to your visit in advance.
Swimming, sauna and views
MacTaggart Leisure Centre offers a different focus. It has a 25-metre swimming pool with four lanes and a five-seat eco sauna; the gym overlooks Loch Indaal. The pool’s length and number of lanes specify what’s on offer for swimmers, while the sauna and the view appeal to other interests. If you’re planning a swim or a sauna visit, check current session and access arrangements beforehand, as the facilities may change.
Nature on the Laggan Point circular walk
The Laggan Point circular walk offers opportunities for birdwatching and a chance to visit a beach. Wildlife watching is seasonal, and ground conditions can vary. For nature lovers, birdwatching and the chance to visit a beach are two reasons to consider the circular walk; the season and ground conditions should also be factored into your plans. Take both into account if you include the walk in your stay.
Permanent features and current conditions
When planning your timing, it’s worth distinguishing between permanent features of the place and seasonal or changeable offerings. The period when Bowmore was founded, the year the church was built, its location on the main street and its distinctive shape provide the historical context; tours, tastings and use of the leisure centre, on the other hand, depend on current arrangements. The Laggan Point circular walk also involves seasonal birdwatching and variable ground conditions. So the offerings differ not only by interest, but also in how much your plans depend on current conditions.
Discover more destinations: Tobermory, Glencruitten, Helensburgh, Ardentinny, Cairnbaan, Bridge Of Orchy, Isle of Bute, Port Ellen
For the wider travel overview: Argyll And Bute.
