The Isle of Jura is one of the Hebrides Islands just off the western coast of Scotland. Roughly 50 kms long and 11 kms long at its widest point, Jura sits 8 kms from mainland Scotland and 80 kms from Glasgow. Summed up in the promotional tagline: "180 people, 5000 deer and one whiskey distillery", a visit to Jura is not for the average tourist.
Why Visit Jura?
Jura is for the adventurous, off-the-beaten track types and even for those, it's sure to be a vacation beyond the ordinary. With its main attractions being its rugged beauty, bountiful wildlife and its quiet, rural lifestyle, it's a hiker's dream not to mention the perfect spot for someone not interested in nightlife, bustling urban streets or packed tourist attractions. There is no internet service or cell phone signals available, so for the travel seeking a completely quiet, real life getaway, Jura may just be the ideal destination.
Isle of Jura's Whisky
Jura’s largest employer is the Isle of Jura Whisky Distillery, located in Craighouse, Jura's main settlement. It employs 12 and also acts as the main promoter of tourism on the island. The distillery features a visitor’s centre and offers tours, as well as partnering with Scottish Book Trust to host The Jura Malt Whisky Writer Retreat.
The Isle of Jura's Whisky Distillery offers one of the best sources of information on the island with its website www.isleofjura.com
George Orwell and 1984
George Orwell took advantage of the isolation, quiet and abundant wildlife of Jura, when in 1947-1948 he finished his classic novel 1984 while living in a house called Barnhill. The house is not much changed in the last 50 years, still standing a remote distance from the nearest paved road, sitting close to the sea, overlooking seacaves that are home to seals, where deer graze on the lawns, and near to the Corryvreckan whirlpool. It’s available for rent by the week.
The Isle of Jura's Gardens & Wildlife
The Isle of Jura is situated in a gulfstream that ensures a very mild climate year-round and results in some unexpected plantlife (palm trees are common). The Jura House Garden on the island's south coast, is surrounded by thick 200 year-old stone walls and houses a sub-tropical Australasian garden.
Jura has abundant populations of birds, including puffins, peregrine falcons, golden eagles and a variety of owls. While the deer population famously outnumbers the human population, wild billy goats seals, dolphins and whales are just as common a sight.
The Paps of Jura
Jura’s most notable geographical features are its three Paps. The Paps of Jura dominate the island’s landscape and provide a challenging climb for hikers. Beinn an Oir, the Mountain of Gold, is a Corbett (a Scottish mountain standing between 2500-3000 feet) and the tallest of the three Paps at 785 metres above sea level. Beinn Shiantaidh, the Sacred Mountain stands to the east at 757 metres and Beinn a' Chaolais, Mountain of the Sound sits to the southwest of the other two at 734 metres above sea level. Held each May, the Jura Fell Race is known as one of the toughest endurance/mountain racing challenges in Scotland and covers a stretch of 16 miles (including 7500 feet of climbing) over 7 mountain summits, including the three Paps.
The Corryvreckan Whirlpool
One of Europe’s natural wonders is the notorious Corryvreckan whirlpool, located in the Gulf of Corryvreckan, a narrow strait off Jura’s northern coastline. The third largest whirlpool in the world, famed authour George Orwell nearly lost his life when the boat he and his young nephews and nieces were sailing in was caught in it.
There are a number of boat tours available for those who wish to see for themselves the dynamic force of nature that is the Corryvreckan whirlpool.
Adventurers, artists, whisky connoisseurs or simply those seeking a bit of fresh sea air and magical sunsets -- all are bound to have an experience unlike any other. Jura may be hard to get to, but as those who’ve been there will testify, it’s a place that’s even harder to leave.
Catherine Solmes - Currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and writes whenever she can. Contributes to www.northernstars.ca, www.thisnext.com and ...
