Port Ellen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Port Ellen
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 Port Ellen |
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 Port Ellen
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| Population | 810 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NR365455 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF ISLAY |
| Postcode district | PA42 |
| Dialling code | 01496 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Port Ellen (Scottish Gaelic: Port Ìlein) is a small town on the island of Islay in Scotland. It is located in an area called Argyll. The town got its name from the wife of its founder, Walter Frederick Campbell. Before that, its name was Leòdamas, which comes from an old Norse word meaning "Leòd's Harbour."
Port Ellen is built around Leodamais Bay. This bay is Islay's main deep-water harbour. Port Ellen is the biggest town on Islay, just a little larger than Bowmore. It is also where the main ferry connects Islay to the Scottish mainland at Kennacraig. The Port Ellen Distillery started making whisky in the 1820s. It stopped making Scotch whisky in 1983. However, the large malting plant there still makes malt. This malt is used by most of the other whisky distilleries on Islay.
Exploring Port Ellen's Past
The area around Port Ellen has many old places to explore. These sites show how people lived during the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. You can find standing stones at Kilbride. There is also an old fort at Borraichill Mor. Several chambered cairns, which are ancient burial mounds, are also nearby. You can also see the ruins of a chapel called Cill Tobar Lasrach. Close by are the remains of Dunyvaig Castle. This castle was built in the 1300s. It was once an important fort for the MacDonald Lords of the Isles. They were powerful rulers of the islands.
The town we see today was planned by Walter Frederick Campbell. It was started in 1821. It was first meant to help the fishing industry, especially for herring. The town was first called Port Ellinor. This was to honour his wife, Lady Eleanor Charteris. She passed away in 1832. Her father was Francis Douglas, 8th Earl of Wemyss.
Getting There by Ferry
Port Ellen is a key spot for travel to and from Islay. It has important ferry services.
| Preceding station | Ferry Connections | Following station | ||
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| Terminus | Caledonian MacBrayne Islay Ferry |
Kennacraig | ||
| Terminus | Kintyre Express April to October |
Ballycastle |
- The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry connects Port Ellen to Kennacraig on the mainland. This is the main way people and goods travel to Islay.
- The Kintyre Express also offers a ferry service. This ferry goes to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland. This service runs from April to October.
Famous People from Port Ellen
Some notable people have come from Port Ellen.
- George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen was born here on April 12, 1946. He is a Labour politician. He also served as the Secretary General of NATO. NATO is a group of countries that work together for defense.
