Bunnahabhain
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[edit] Location
Situated in the North East of the hebridean island of Islay, the tiny village of Bunnahabhain was first established in 1881 to house workers from the malt whisky distillery which stands there to this day and still employs the majority of the inhabitants of the village. Offering stunning views of the neighbouring islands of Jura and Mull, Bunnahabhain is a secluded paradise surrounded by natural beauty.
The distillery in the village produces The Bunnahabhain (Bon-a-havn) which is one of the milder Islay whiskies available and in its taste varies greatly from other fine spirits to be found on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland.The distillery was built in 1881 and sits below the north-east tip of the island and just north of Port Askaig. It overlooks a narrow belt of water (the Sound of Islay) with a magnificent view of the neighbouring island of Jura (which also has a working distillery) and its famous hills, the "Paps of Jura".
[edit] Wildlife
The area is rich in wildlife, boasting large numbers of red deer, roe deer, wild goats, otters, common and grey seals, seabirds such as cormorants and oystercatchers and also Lepidoptera, with peacock and speckled wood butterflies being a common sight.
[edit] History
The surrounding are is also steeped in local history. The ruined village of Margadale, nestled between Margadale Hill and Scarbh Bhreac was once the busiest marketplace on Islay, with people coming there from all over the island for cattle sales.
[edit] Shipwrecks
Perched perilously on the rocks to the south of the village is the wreck of the 338 ton trawler “Wyre Majestic” which ran aground after hitting the rocks at Rubha a’Mhail on October 18th, 1974. Despite efforts from the crew of its sister ship, “Wyre Defence”, the ship was deemed unsalvageable and has sat on the rocks ever since, just like the other 50 or so ships wrecked in the perilous Sound of Islay. Thankfully, no crew were injured in the incident.
