OS grid reference NR310598 Country Scotland Post town ISLE OF ISLAY Local time Friday 12:37 PM Civil parish Kilmeny | Lieutenancy area Argyll and Bute Sovereign state United Kingdom Dialling code 01496 Council area Argyll and Bute | |
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Population 862 (2001 census)
est. 860 (2006) Weather 7°C, Wind NE at 21 km/h, 72% Humidity | ||
Bowmore distillery isle of islay with thanks to mr eddie macaffer
Bowmore (Scottish Gaelic: Bogh Mòr, 'great sea reef') is a village on the Scottish island of Islay and serves as administrative capital of the island. It gives its name to the noted Bowmore distillery producing Bowmore Single Malt, a single malt scotch whisky.
Contents
- Bowmore distillery isle of islay with thanks to mr eddie macaffer
- Map of Bowmore Isle of Islay UK
- Bowmore small batch release animation
- History
- Bowmore in WWII
- Facilities
- Noted residents
- References
Map of Bowmore, Isle of Islay, UK
Bowmore small batch release animation
History
Bowmore is a planned village with wide streets on a grid-iron pattern. It has its origins in an earlier settlement, Kilarrow, which until c. 1770 occupied the site of the present grounds of Islay House near Bridgend.
In May 1685 Kilarrow had been the scene of the first stages of Argyll's Rising, when rebels under the Earl of Argyll arrived following a voyage from the Netherlands.
As part of his plans for improvements at Islay House, Daniel Campbell the Younger initiated the construction of the new village in 1770, just after the completion of the new Kilarrow Parish Church, which was built in a unique circular shape. The old village of Kilarrow and its church, dedicated to St Maelrhuba was then demolished, and its residents were relocated to Bowmore. Kilarrow Old Churchyard still exists close to the site of the former village.
The Bowmore distillery came in operation at some time before 1816 and is situated on the shores of Loch Indaal and next to an old warehouse which is converted to a swimming pool, known locally as the MacTaggart Centre. The waste heat from the distillery is partially used to heat the water of the swimming pool.
Bowmore in WWII
There was a RAF seaplane base at Bowmore during WWII. Short Sunderland and PBY Catalina flying boats operated from Loch Indaal. Some of the wartime film Coastal Command was filmed in Bowmore and it features a shot of a Sunderland flying low over the main street of Bowmore and over Kilarrow Parish Church.
Facilities
Bowmore has several hotels, restaurants, shops, a hospital, a high school and is home to the Ìleach newspaper, community newspaper of the year 2006. Bowmore is also host to Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle (the Columba Centre), a cultural centre and college founded with the aim of promoting Gaelic language and heritage on the Island.
Noted residents
The Rev Donald Caskie, noted as the "Tartan Pimpernel" for his wartime exploits in France, is one of Bowmore's most noted sons. He was responsible for the safe passage of numerous exiles through the Scots Kirk in Paris during World War II, risking both life and limb. In more recent times, Glenn Campbell can be seen regularly on BBC Scotland as their political correspondent.