Excerpts from issue 53/12 21 March 2026
Ardbeg House: 'Best Place to Stay in the UK'
The recently opened Ardbeg House has been named the Best Place to Stay in the UK and Scotland by The Times and The Sunday Times.
Described by Glenmorangie's public relations representatives as "just a stone's throw from Ardbeg Distillery" (almost four miles), the boutique hotel has been named overall winner of the prestigious list only six months after opening, topping the definitive guide to the 50 Best Places to Stay from across the UK and Scotland. The judges praised the hotel as "a whisky wonderland, with playful, maximalist interiors; and a convivial, well-stocked bar that's priced for locals." They also applauded the rooms and suites, as well as the food and drink, receiving an impressive 9/10 score, praising the "eye-popping interiors" and "playful, personality-packed" hotel rooms.
However, author of the article, Susan D'Arcy, states that Ardbeg had "...unveiled its transformation of a down-at-heel Victorian inn overlooking the cute harbour in Port Ellen." Considering the hotel was completely rebuilt in 2011 and that the exterior, aside from the Ardbeg decor, is virtually unchanged since then, the review would appear to be giving the new owners a tad more credit than is due.
Disappointingly, and rather disingenuously, Ms. d'Arcy goes on to say, "Port Ellen village doesn't have much to detain you..."
Ardbeg House opened in September 2025, and was designed in collaboration with Russell Sage Studio to celebrate the best of Islay. The twelve 'unique' rooms are complemented by handcrafted pieces from more than 20 Scottish and Islay artisans. Ellie Goss, Communications and Hospitality Director at Ardbeg, said, "We're incredibly honoured to top such a prestigious list, especially so quickly after the opening of Ardbeg House.
"This recognition marks a major milestone for Ardbeg House, cementing its place as one of the most exciting new destinations in the UK."
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The long read
In July 2025, following the departure of the Islay/Jura mobile library service librarian, the Ileach contacted LiveArgyll to ask why the service had been discontinued.
The reply stated, "We are currently in the process of advertising the vacant post for mobile librarian on Islay." We suggested publishing a recruitment advert in the Ileach, but none was forthcoming.
In September 2025, we again enquired of LiveArgyll, when they expected that a new librarian would be recruited and the mobile library van would return to service on Islay and Jura?
They replied, "We are currently going through a recruitment process and will be best placed to update the community on timelines within the next couple of weeks."
In early February 2026, with no sign of any progress, the Ileach once again, asked the same question. The reply?
"We anticipate that the recruitment process will be finalised within the next four weeks along with the necessary mechanical/bodywork that has been identified to ensure that the van continues to be roadworthy."
Those four weeks having passed with no visible sign of the library van plying the highways and byways of Islay and Jura, it seemed prudent to ask again if there had been any progress?
"Plans are currently being put in place to get the mobile library van operational. At present we are organising the recruitment process and the van is having a full inspection and service to ensure that it continues to be roadworthy. We hope to have this process completed within the next 4-6 weeks."
You could write a book.
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In this week's issue:
MV Isle of Islay visits Isle of Islay, CalMac's dangerous goods dilemma, Cheaper bus fares?, Ardbeg House is the best place to stay in the UK, Financial help for Scotland's islands, Easter church services, Where's our library, 164th Islay Gathering, Islay Rugby, Wind Band workshop trip, Reduction in Islay's 'not spots', Islay Rum's burgeoning film career, Islay Quilters' charity quilt, Music review - Brian Molley Quartet, Charlène Busalli's Canadian reading list, IHS presentation of Romeo and Juliet, What's the deal with Rothesay Pavilion?, What does the Community Council do?, Council Tax. Why?
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Music review
Brian Molley Quartet - Tùs/Origin
Saxophonist, Brian Molley, mysteriously has not yet appeared at the Islay Jazz Festival, but his three accompanists on this recording are particularly well acquainted with travelling by CalMac ferry to Islay in mid-September.
Respectively, bassist and drummer with Fergus McCreadie's Trio, David Bowden and Stephen Henderson, are joined by pianist, Tom Gibbs, who, coincidentally was one of McCreadie's tutors at the Scottish Conservatoire.
The thread between Tùs, and McCreadie's recent traditional Scottish leanings continues, however, in the thematic setting of this recording. From the folk traditions of the Outer Hebrides to a Louisiana gospel stomp via fugue, jig and hoedown, Tùs/Origin comprises a through-composed suite which, according to Molley, "...follows a journey exploring why a Scottish influence on the development of jazz is a lot stronger than we all might think."
He explained, "The first Scottish immigrants to travel to Canada and America shared their folk songs on their journeys, including a uniquely Scottish musical tradition known as call-and-response line-singing.
"This way of making music became a core element in the development of jazz and popular music and alongside the work of prominent 19th century abolitionist and frequent visitor to Scottish shores, Frederick Douglass. It forms the foundation of our celebration of jazz's Scottish roots."
Earlier examples of melding jazz with Scottish traditional music include John Rae's Celtic Feet and trumpeter, Colin Steele's 'Stramash'.
Frederick Douglass is referenced once again in the opening track, which begins with slow piano before Molley's saxophone highlights the theme against an ethereal, reverb-laden backdrop.
It's a theme solemnly reprised later in the album.
The saxophonist's Indian influences, as explored on his previous release, signal an impressive quickening of pace in 'Ritornello Ceilidh'.
The opening strains of 'Dance of the Waves' is strangely reminiscent of the 'Blue Peter' TV theme, during which bassist David Bowden demonstrates just why his musicality is in such high demand.
And it seems that the aforementioned Frederick Douglass has made a significant impression on Molley; the opening theme is implied within other compositions ('The Man and the Lion') before reaching 'Frederick's Lament'.
It's Bowden's strident bass that introduces the upbeat final track, which lives up to its emphatic title, 'Storm, Whirlwind and Earthquake', featuring pianist Gibbs, and drummer Stephen Henderson, both of whom are superb throughout the album, providing quality accompaniment that allows Molley the freedom to define and explore.
Overall, the production is a smidgeon on the dry side, but I'd imagine this would be well worth hearing live. Maybe at this year's Islay Festival?
bp
Tùs/Origin is available on Bandcamp
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This is Islay
2026 Podcast of the Year featuring individuals, personalities and features of Islay and Jura. Listen now at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay
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