If you’re looking for the best place to stay on Islay the following lists of amenities will show that with The Island Bear in Bowmore, you can’t go wrong….

Less than a 1 minute walk from The Island Bear:

• 6 restaurants and cafes including Indian and Chinese cuisine, traditional Scottish and fine dinning.
• Shops including food, gifts, handcrafted soap, crafts, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, essentials and possibly most importantly - Whisky!
• 2 bars
• 2 banks with cash machines
• Post Office
• Dentist
• Optician
• Vets
• Leisure Centre
• Tourist Information Centre
• Bus stop
• Bowmore Harbour
• Bowmore Square
• The Bowmore Distillery

Further amenities less than a 5 minute walk from The Island Bear:

• Bar and restaurant
• Mobile fish van
• Hospital
• Garage and Petrol
• The Round Church

For more about all of Islay’s attractions and amenities have a look at the Islay page.


A bit more about Bowmore:

As the administrative capital of Islay, Bowmore has lots to offer visitors. It is inhabited by some 1000 of the 3200 people resident on Islay.  The village of Bowmore was founded in 1768, by Daniel Campbell of Shawfield and Islay.  It was the first planned village in Scotland and was part of a resettlement scheme to move people from the old fishing village of Killarrow which was near Islay House. 

Bowmore's streets are laid out on a grid pattern.  Originally, small fields were left between the rows of houses so that the inhabitants could grow their families' food and keep a milking cow, but these fields now have houses built on them. 

The first pier was built in 1750 and has been subsequently extended and rebuilt, notably during WWII when it was reinforced and a breakwater was added.  Bowmore and Islay as a whole have a long and fascinating history.  If you would like to learn more visit www.islayinfo.com