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Wikipedia Undiscovered Scotland Internet Guide to Scotland Jura Development Trust IslayJura Isle of Jura The north of the island is actually quite close to the mainland, but has never had a ferry link because of the lack of a road in the north - however this has lead to past speculation on the possible construction of an overland route to Islay. This is never going to happen for economic and conservation reasons. Download the Welcome to Jura Leaflet Jura & WhiskyJura is of course home to the Isle of Jura Distillery. So no problem buying at least one brand of single malt! The shop does stock others, but for a specialist shop you'll need to go to Bowmore or Oban.
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Jura is one of the larger of Scotland's Islands, but it is sparsely populated - barely 200 people - thought there are an estimated 6,000 deer. The island is most famous for its three highest mountains known as the Paps, and because George Orwell completed 1984 while staying on the island - at Barnhill in the far North of the island. Jura is also said to have only one road - which is almost true. Orwell described the island as ungetatable and it is certainly not a straightforward journey especially by bike. Jura's road runs from Feolin Ferry (from Islay) along the south of the island and then up the east coast - leaving the west coast fairly inaccessible except by boat.
The road though starting off grandly as the A846 is never more than single track, often with grass adorning its middle - it peters out into a private track long before reaching Barnhill. Arriving & DepartingOpen Cycle Map Bing Map
The main route to Jura is via Islay. Head for Port Askaig served by CalMac from Kennacraig Winter Summer). Then onto the adjoining Jura Ferry. Getting to Kennacraig? - see main Islay page. Jura Passenger Ferry - fast ferry from Tayvallich to Craighouse - carries bikes. This operates late March to late September, 4 times daily (no service on Tuesdays), twice on Sundays. £20 each way, bikes free. SleepingI've visited Jura three times, staying in B&Bs half way up Small Isles Bay and in Ardfernal on the first two occasions, but these are no longer offering B&B. My most recent visit in 2009, I used the Hotel. Jura Hotel Craighouse 01496 820243 Coran House Knockrome 01496 820374 Ardlussa House Ardlussa 01496 820323 Jura House used to offer some B&B facilities, but was bought by an obscenely rich banker in 2011, who has apparently not bothered to visit the island. The Gardens which were a considerable tourist attraction have been closed "until further notice" since the purchase. Several Self-Catering options - see list on Jura Info. EatingJura Hotel Craighouse 01496 820243
Antler's Restaurant Craighouse 01496 820496 Not licensed - BYOB - £3 corkage DrinkingJura has one hotel, and it has a reasonable selection of whiskies, including several examples from the neighbouring distillery.
CyclingYou'll need to go to Islay or the mainland
Islay Cycles 07760 196592 Run from a house in Port Ellen, so not a shop as such, but hire, sales, accessories and repairs available - see website/ring for further details. Brian Palmer 01496 810653 describes himself as "the only cycle repairer and spare parts person in Bowmore". Again run from his house. There's a load of cycing reated information on Brian's washingmachinepost website. See also islayinfo.com Bike hire from Bowmore Post Office 01496 810366; Port Ellen 01496 302349.and Islay Cycles as above; Port Charlotte 01496 850488; and Port Askaig (Persabus) 01496 840753. Cycle Shops Lochgilphead (Kennacraig 18,Tayvallich 12), Oban Nevis Cycles 87 George Street, Oban 01631 566033 David Graham 13-15 Combie Street, Oban 01631 562069 Crinan Cycles 34 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead 01546 603511 ShoppingJura Community Shop Craighouse 01496 820231
Banking - nearest facilities are on Islay. You may be able to get cash back at the Hotel or shop. Raining?? |
Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions and my other pictures of Jura are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628844186427
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628844186427