Jura, Scotland

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Jura shown within Argyll

Satellite picture of Jura

Jura (Scottish Gaelic Diùra) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, situated adjacent and to the north-east of Islay. The island is designated as a National Scenic Area.

Jura is of a similar size to Islay, but is much less densely populated with around 160 inhabitants. The main settlement is at Craighouse on the east coast. The village of Craighouse is home to the island's one distillery, which makes Isle of Jura whisky. The village is also home to the island's only hotel, pub, shop and church.

A small car ferry operates across the Sound of Islay between Port Askaig on Islay and Feolin Ferry on Jura. From Feolin Ferry a single road follows the southern and eastern coastline of the island. To the north of Craighouse the road leads to Lagg, Tarbert, Ardlussa and beyond. A private track runs from the road end to the far north of the island.

The island is dominated by three steep-sided conical mountains on its western side – the Paps of Jura which rise to over 2500 feet (762 m). The west coast of Jura is currently uninhabited but is home to a number of raised beaches.

Past the road end is Barnhill, a remote house which was home to the novelist George Orwell, and where he finished his masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Between the northern tip of Jura and the Island of Scarba lies the Gulf of Corryvreckan which boasts a whirlpool that makes passage impossible at certain states of the tide.

The island has a large population of red deer and it is commonly believed that the name Jura was derived from hjörtr, the Old Norse word for deer.

Paps of Jura

Sunset over Beinn an Oir and Beinn Shiantaidh (two of the paps of Jura) with Corra Bheinn to the right. Photo by K Gow

Two of the Paps of Jura taken from above Caol Ila on Islay. Photo by John Shaw

The Paps of Jura are a group of conical quartzite mountains which dominate the southern half of the island. There are three major peaks:

Beinn an Òir (Gaelic: mountain of gold) is the highest peak, standing at 785 metres, and is thereby a Corbett.

Beinn Shiantaidh (Gaelic: holy mountain) stands at 735 metres high.

Beinn a' Chaolais (Gaelic: mountain of the sound) is the lowest of the Paps by 1 metre, standing at 734 metres.

The Paps dominate the landscape in the region and can be seen from the Mull of Kintyre and, on a clear day, Skye and Northern Ireland. The route of the annual Isle of Jura Fell Race includes all three Paps and four other hills.

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