We’re driving up there and getting the ferry over from Kennacraig. Got four days and I really want to do as many islay distilleries as I can so not sure how much island hopping I’ll be able to get done. I don’t think this will be our first and last time up there though anyway!
Just seen the thread, I used to go when the kids were young in the summer, do information may be out of date and less applicable to November.
It's a lovely island, if you are self catering and like seafood, stop off at Loch Fyne oyster bar on the way, the shop is good and the kippers excellent. Don't underestimate the drive round to Kennacraig it's quite long and the speed is very traffic dependant.
I realise you don't want to Island hop with time constraints but Jura is worth a visit if you find the time, it's only a five minute ferry across from Port Askaig and has a very different and more isolated feel than Islay, it also has it's own distillery, which does visits but check times.
The best place I ate at was the harbour Inn in Bowmore which has great seafood.
If you're into golf take your clubs, the Machrie is a cracking course.
If you're into bird watching it's popular at this time with birds particularly geese coming down from Greenland for winter.
If the weather is clear you get great views of the Antrim coast of Ireland from the south of the Island particularly the Oa. It's worth taking binoculars if you have them.
Hope you have a great time it's a lovely place.