Coastlines & Distilleries:

A Festival Journey

Dates: May 28 – June 4, 2027
Destination: Isle of Islay, Scotland
Hosted by: Rivers & Roads

Once a year. 

Only on Islay.

People come for the whisky. They come back for the island.

Once a year, visitors from around the world gather on the Scottish island of Islay (EYE-luh) for Fèis Ìle (fay-sh aisle), the Islay Festival of Music and Malt. Distilleries across the island open their doors for whisky tastings, tours, and special experiences available only during festival week.

No whisky expertise required. Just a curiosity for Scotland and a sense of adventure.

For one week, Islay becomes the most concentrated expression of Scottish landscape, food, music, and community in the country

Rivers & Roads is bringing a small group of just 7 guests to experience one of Scotland's most celebrated festivals and one of its most remarkable islands.

    • Shared Twin Room: $2,750 per person

    • Double King Room: $2,750 per person

    • Solo King Room: $3,250

    • Deposits from $550.

    Limited to 7 guests. Full pricing details below.

    1. Email info@riversandroadstravel.com to confirm availability and discuss room options.

    2. A secure payment link will be provided. Your deposit reserves your place on the trip.

    Full booking terms and cancellation details in the pricing section below.

"Whether it's the whisky or the festival atmosphere that draws you here, you are bound to be mesmerised by the combination of tastings, tours, beaches, walks, ceilidhs, sunsets and sunrises. There truly is something here for everyone."

— Fèis Ìle Festival Organizers

Highlights

For one week, Islay becomes the most concentrated expression of Scottish landscape, food, music, and community in the country

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Visit six iconic distilleries during festival celebrations with daily access, tastings, and experiences that exist nowhere else on the calendar

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Explore Atlantic beaches, historic villages, and dramatic coastal scenery that visitors remember long after the trip ends

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Stay in a private lodge reserved exclusively for our small group, with all transportation included

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Discover the island beyond the distilleries through fresh seafood, golf, island traditions, and historic landmarks that make Islay unlike anywhere else in Scotland

The Journey

  • We land on the island as festival week begins. Check in to our private lodge, take in the Atlantic views, enjoy a welcome dinner, and settle in for the week ahead.

    Note: US travelers will need to depart on May 27th to arrive on May 28th.

  • We kick off festival week at Lagavulin, one of Islay's most iconic distilleries. Festival celebrations include tastings, live music, and festival experiences available only during Fèis Ìle. We end the day with a coastal boat excursion, providing a unique perspective of Islay's rugged shoreline, wildlife, and seafaring history.

  • Known for its innovative approach to whisky making, Bruichladdich hosts one of the most energetic and anticipated celebrations of the entire festival week. The day also provides an opportunity to experience Islay's western coastline, white sand beaches, and some of the scenery that makes the island so unforgettable.

  • Perched above the Sound of Islay with sweeping views toward Jura, Caol Ila offers a completely different side of the island and one of the most scenic settings of the week. We'll spend time exploring northern Islay, its villages, and the landscapes that connect the island to its maritime heritage.

  • Few distilleries are more closely tied to Islay than Laphroaig. Spend the day celebrating one of Scotland's most distinctive whiskies with the Atlantic just steps away. We'll hike to the American Monument, where panoramic views stretch across the ocean and showcase the wild beauty of Islay's southern coastline.

  • Located in the heart of Islay's main village, Bowmore's festival day combines whisky, music, food, and community in a setting that captures the spirit of the island. Time on the island wouldn't be complete without experiencing one of Scotland's most celebrated links golf courses beside the Atlantic dunes

  • Islay's farm distillery offers a rare opportunity to see whisky production from field to glass. We tour the farm and distillery before finishing in the warehouse surrounded by aging casks.

  • Morning departure from Islay. Onward connections from Glasgow.

Where we’ll stay

Machrie View is your home for the week.

Reserved exclusively for our group, this four-bedroom lodge sits between Bowmore and Port Ellen, placing every corner of Islay within easy reach.

Each guest room features an ensuite bathroom and private balcony, while the upstairs lounge and dining area overlook the Atlantic and Mull of Oa.

How to Book

Joining the trip is simple.

1. Email info@riversandroadstravel.com to confirm availability and discuss room options.

2. A 20% non-refundable deposit reserves your place on the trip. A secure payment link will be provided.

3. Rivers & Roads will assist with flight planning, logistics, and trip preparation.

Pricing

  • Limited to 7 guests. Spaces confirmed on a first-deposit basis.

    Room options:

    • Shared Twin Room: $2,750 per person
      Two guests sharing a room with two single beds.

    • Private King Room (Double): $2,750 per person
      Two guests sharing one private king bed.

    • Private King Room (Solo): $3,250
      One guest, private room.

    Deposit per person due at booking:

    • Shared Twin Room or King Double: $550

    • Private King Room Solo: $650

    Final payment due: January 28, 2027. All prices are in USD.

    Cancellation Policy

    • Deposits are non-refundable.

    • Cancel before January 28, 2027 and all other payments will be refunded in full.

    • Cancellation on or after January 28, 2027 is non-refundable.

    Name transfers are permitted up to 90 days before departure, subject to approval.

  • ✓ 7 nights exclusive use of a private lodge on Islay

    ✓ Visit 6 of Islay's most iconic distilleries through daily premium experiences, including tastings, tours, behind-the-scenes access, warehouse experiences, pairings, and special festival events

    ✓ Rock'ndaal at Bruichladdich - a full day of live music, drams and local food at one of the festival's most celebrated events

    ✓ Chocolate and whisky pairing overlooking the Sound of Islay

    ✓ Farm tour at Islay's only farm distillery with drams along the way

    ✓ Traditional peat cutting experience with whisky tastings

    ✓ Wildlife boat tour along Islay's Atlantic coastline

    ✓ Daily breakfast

    ✓ Welcome dinner on arrival evening

    ✓ One hosted lunch during the week

    ✓ Farewell dinner on the final evening

    ✓ All ground transportation on Islay

    ✓ Full trip hosting and on-the-ground support throughout the week

    ✓ Flight research and booking assistance

  • ✘ International airfare - flight routing recommendations provided (flight seats are extremely limited o Islay during festival week)
    ✘ Lunches and most dinners - Islay has outstanding local restaurants, food stalls, and festival food events throughout the week. Budget approximately £20 to £40 per meal
    ✘ Optional fishing trip with Islay Sea Adventures (£60 per person)
    ✘ Optional links golf with equipment rental - one of Scotland's most scenic coastal courses (£25 per person)
    ✘ Personal whisky purchases and souvenirs

Why travel with Rivers & Roads?

This is Rivers & Roads' third annual Scotland whisky journey. The 2026 group visited eight distilleries across Speyside, the Highlands, and Islay, experiencing some of Scotland's most celebrated whisky regions firsthand.

After years of exploring Scotland and multiple visits to Islay and Fèis Ìle, Kerk Allen designed this journey around a simple belief: the festival is what brings people to Islay, but the island itself is what they remember long after they leave.

"This has probably been one of our very favorite trips we have been on."

- Past Rivers & Roads guest

"Every detail was already taken care of. I will definitely be working with Kerk for all of my future travels."

-Past Rivers & Roads guest

  • No. This trip is designed for anyone interested in experiencing Scotland’s landscapes, culture, and distilling traditions. Curiosity is enough.

  • International airfare is not included. Once your spot is confirmed, Rivers & Roads will provide personalized flight routing recommendations from your departure city at no additional cost.

    Flights to Islay are limited and will be in high demand during festival week. Highly recommend to book your flight as soon as your spot is confirmed.

  • Travel insurance is optional but strongly recommended. Rivers & Roads can provide options upon request.

    Purchase within 21 days of your deposit for the broadest coverage options including Cancel For Any Reason.

  • Deposits are non-refundable. Cancel before January 28, 2027 and all other payments are refunded in full. Cancel on or after January 28, 2027 and no refund is issued.

  • Daily breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are yours to explore. Local restaurants, distillery food stalls, and festival food events fill the island throughout the week. Budget approximately £20 to £40 per meal.

  • Late May on Islay is mild with long daylight hours. May is one of the sunniest months of the year on the island. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket.

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