Excerpts from issue 51/03 18 November 2023
Ardbeg Rollercoaster
Ardbeg has released two historic whiskies created at the most pivotal moments of the distillery's past.
A limited edition of 143 sets, these two rare cask single malts are time capsules of a bygone Ardbeg. One was distilled in 1981 when the distillery closed, many feared forever, while the other in 1989, as Ardbeg's revival began. According to the owners, together, they embody the irrepressible spirit of Ardbeg, which has prospered since its purchase by Glenmorangie in 2000.
The price, if you're interested, is an eyewatering £85,000. To register interest in purchasing visit ardbeg.com or enquire at the Ardbeg Visitor Centre.
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In this week's issue:
Progress at Portintruan Distillery, Photos of Islay's new ferries, Ferry matters, Community Council Action Plan, HPMA bites the dust, a tribute to former Ileach editor, the late Calum Murray, Spike's bench, Iain McArthur retires from Lagavulin Distillery, Cycle to Rome for Doddie Weir Charity, Kilchoman Remembrance Service, Donald Jackson retires from IJCE, No government help for Screen machine, JamDram's Midgie Galore!, Ardbeg's expensive rollercoaster, Grumble from Gruinart, Kilchoman's oldest release, Islay Gaelic Choir, Lochside Hotel's award winning spree, Charlène Busalli reviews 'The Britannias', Geographies of Solitude movie.
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What's it all about, Alfie?
Transport Scotland has agreed to a six-month extension of CalMac's current charter of MV Alfred, in order to provide additional resource through the winter and annual overhaul period, and as planning proceeds for the summer timetable.
The charter will now be in place until 21 August 2024.
CalMac CEO, Robbie Drummond said, "We very much welcome the extension of the charter of MV Alfred for a further six months. The vessel has been a valuable addition to the fleet and has provided much-needed resilience on the main Arran route while MV Hebridean Isles was off service for an extended period.
"Recent berthing trials have confirmed from which ports she can operate and plans for her next deployment are now underway."
CalMac have also intimated that, to allow the option for MV Alfred to berth at Campbeltown or Troon while operating on the Islay route, ramp modifications are required. Until these are carried out, deployment on the Islay service will be restricted to travel to and from Ardrossan.
CalMac have said they are working closely with Alfred's owners, Pentland Ferries, to ensure this is carried out as quickly as possible, but should have no impact on the immediate service of the vessel.
Given the extended travel time from Islay to Ardrossan, CalMac are looking into catering options to improve the customer experience when travelling on MV Alfred on the Islay route. Any update on this situation will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, CalMac have now announced the refit schedule for 2023/24. MV Finlaggan remains the core vessel on the Islay service, with MV Hebridean Isles offering a second vessel during 30 November - 31 December and 26 January - 2 February.
During the Finlaggan's overhaul, the Isle of Arran and Hebridean Isles will operate from 6 March - 30 March.
And as of Monday 13 November, preparatory site work began at Kennacraig, with the contractor setting up a compound. CalMac were keen to reassure customers and the Islay community that the preparatory work will not affect the ferry service, and that operations will continue as normal.
The north berth will close from 22 November until 15 December to allow re-pointing works, but this will not prevent berthing or extend turnaround times.
The work is being undertaken in preparation for major upgrade works at the port to make it ready for the new Islay vessels. These works will commence in January 2024. CalMac have said they will keep customers updated on the impact of these later works in coming weeks.
And with a deafening silence from Argyll & Bute Council over upgrade plans for Port Askaig pier, Islay Community Council Ferry Committee has been pressing for engagement on the plans on behalf of the Islay community, so far with little success. A spokesperson told us, "We remain concerned about the lack of details and timelines etc., and the question of any temporary closures."
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Bowmore's Lochside Hotel wins major awards
The team at Bowmore's Lochside Hotel is celebrating after recently winning two major hospitality industry awards.
The Lochside was named Whisky Bar of the Year at the Hotels of the Year Scotland Awards, and bar manager Ricky Wallace was crowned Barperson of the Year at the Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN) Awards.
And to round off a successful week, the hotel's parent company, The Rocks Leisure Group, which also owns Macgochans and Roslyn House in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, the Ben Nevis Bar in Fort William and The Benleva in Drumnadrochit, won the Independent Multiple Operator of the Year award at the SLTN Awards.
Managing Director, Neil Morrison, who has owned the twelve bedroom Lochside since 2015, said, "We're absolutely delighted to have won these awards!
"We have a fantastic team at The Lochside who work hard to deliver exceptional quality, service and hospitality day in day out. To receive this recognition from the industry is a real honour.
"Ricky is an integral part of the team at The Lochside and for him to be named Barperson of the Year is just fantastic!"
The awards come after The Lochside featured in The Times newspaper's Five of the Best Whisky Bars in Scotland last month.
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This is Islay
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