Port Ellen

This lovely town built around Leodamais Bay was founded in 1821 by Walter Frederick Campbell, and named after his wife Ellinor or Eleanor, later shortened to Port Ellen. Just outside Port Ellen on Charlotte Street, you can find Ramsay Hall, named after the family who, in the 19th century, owned the estates in the southern part of Islay. Today Port Ellen is the main ferry port for Islay.