Bowmore
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Bowmore (Scottish Gaelic: Bogh Mòr) is a small town on the shores of Loch Indaal, on the Scottish island of Islay. Founded in 1768, it is today the island's administrative capital. It gives its name to the famous distillery producing Bowmore Single Malt, a single malt scotch whisky.
Bowmore has a broad main street running up from the shore with an unusual round church at the landward end - Kilarrow Parish Church. Reportedly, the round shape should prevent the Devil from hiding in corners. An old warehouse at the distillery has been converted to house a swimming pool for the community. The water is partially heated with waste heat from the distillery (when it's working).
The Rev Donald Caskie, famous as the "Tartan Pimpernel" for his wartime exploits in France, is one of Bowmore's most famous sons. He was responsible for the safe passage of numerous exiles through the Scots Kirk in Paris during WWII, risking both life and limb. In more recent times, Glenn Campbell can be seen regularly on BBC Scotland as their political correspondent.
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.
Bowmore is home to the Ileach newspaper which has a worldwide circulaion of over 3000, believed by many to have the highest audience penetrance of any newspaper of it's kind.
Bowmore is also host to Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (the Columba Centre), a cultural centre and college founded with the aim of promoting gaelic language and heritage on the Island.
As Bommore is the administrative capital of the Island and lies closest to the geographical centre it is home to the vast majority of retail outlets, including the Co-op - Islays largest grocery store. The dominant feature in the village is, however, the Distillery which hugs the shores of Lochindaal and produces what many believe to be the ultimate Islay malt. The visitor centre has recently undergone a multi-million pound development and features many pictures from Bowmore past and present - well worth a look.
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