Have some friends arriving who want to keep in touch with family, but their mobiles do not work over here. What is the best (cheapest) way they can get a phone for the two weeks.

Most mobiles are able to travel tri band or something it's called.

Cheapest option is to bring your phone and buy a Manx sim card

As an after thought you could buy a cheap UK unlocked phone off e-bay theres dozens on there.

Then buy your Manx sim card

Bill is there a problem with this modern age if i go on holiday i need a break? mobiles are over here in the uk nothing but a toy for the KIDS adults prefer a bit of shhhhhhhhhhh see you in the paddock Bill S100 and the new Manx resident shhhhhhhhh will be there keep her lit Bill

I got tru 70 quid last year and I didnt ring anyone as I couldnt,but when someone rang me I got charged for the call bloody cheek.
Plus a single text was 40p.....double bloddy cheek.

Well, you could always try the ones in the quaint old boxes that you stand in, commonly known as a landline.