The Islay Festival - Feis Ile

Every year, whisky and Islay enthusiasts from around the world come together for Fèis Ìle - The Islay Festival. From late May to early June, guests will be treated to an incredible ten-day event where they can celebrate all that Islay has to offer: not only the fantastic whisky but also its culture and spirit. So why do so many people flock here? Not simply because it's the best—The Islay Festival - Fèis Ìle is about much more than just whisky!

The Islay Festival - Fèis Ìle committee organizes diverse cultural events such as ceilidhs, folk nights, and whisky nosings, along with their favorite event, the First and Final Flings. An Islay experience wouldn't be complete without exploring its original beauty—miles of sandy beaches, hills, and forests. Reward yourself for all your hard work by sitting on a beach at sunset with a dram in hand to appreciate the orange glow that slowly fades into the Atlantic Ocean—you'll never forget it!

In 1986, the first The Islay Festival - Fèis Ìle was held and offered a unique combination of community activities, including walks, slideshows, history talks, ceilidhs, and even a whisky tasting. The whole event spanned three weekends and two weeks, covering all corners of the island! It truly was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. As the festival progressed, anticipation grew for what was sure to be an incredible two weeks. Villages competed fiercely against one another to win the coveted title of Best Dressed Village while locals worked hard on decorated floats, stalls, and entertainment in preparation. Music, drama workshops, talks, walks, ceilidhs, concerts, and dances filled out the evenings as excitement built with each new day; a Carnival Queen from Kildalton, Kilarrow, Kilmeny, and The Rhinns completed this unforgettable experience.

The Islay Festival - Fèis Ìle is back and better than ever, taking place from Friday, 26th May to Saturday, 3rd June 2023! This festival promises nine days full of music, dancing, conversations with friends old and new, and a bit of the famous Islay whisky. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity; grab your friends and come for an unforgettable celebration filled with lively entertainment!