Isle of Jura
Scotland's Adventure CoastThe mountainous, wild and sparsely populated island of Jura has a rugged and remote appeal. Jura is the eighth largest Scottish island, and yet only around 200 people live here. The deer population, by contrast, numbers between 6,000 and 7,000.
The island’s distinctive peaks, the Paps of Jura, offer fantastic hillwalking and one thing you’re sure to see when you visit Jura is the wonderful wildlife, such as red deer and wild goats.
Gaelic in Scotland
The indigenous language of Argyll contains a great richness of expression. Here we have some lines from the Gaelic poetic tradition about Islay & Jura.
Ó mo ghaol air Ìle ’n fheòir
Far an d’ fhuair mi m’ àrach òg;
Oh my love for Islay of the grass
Where I got my early upbringing
(Trad.)
With thanks to partners CHARTS
Be at one with nature by taking time out on Jura
Outstanding wildlife, beautiful scenery and its own distillery.
Visit Jura
Scotland's Adventure CoastThe spectacular beaches and mesmerising wilderness of the Inner Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura will fill you with joy and enrich your life.
Home to a vast variety of birds and wildlife, big unblemished skies, and, of course, world-famous distilleries, these islands are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and will either have you relaxing with the peace and quiet, tapping your toes to traditional music, or tantalising your taste buds with quality local produce.
Jura
If you’re looking to see more wildlife than you do people, Jura is for you. Considered one of Scotland’s last wildernesses, with a population of around 200, outnumbered by over 5000 deer. Jura, believed to originate from the Norse ‘Island of the Deer’, is a walker’s paradise with the Paps of Jura being the main destination.
Paps of Jura rule over the island, which is comprised of three steep-sided conical quartzite mountains rising to 785 metres (2,575 ft). Beinn an Òir is the highest of the three mountain,s standing at 785 metres (2,575 ft), followed by Beinn Shiantaidh, at 757 metres (2,484 ft) and the lowest of the Paps being Beinn a' Chaolais, reaching 733 metres (2,405 ft).
Jura had a famous resident from 1946 to 1949, the renowned novelist and poet George Orwell. During his time on the Isle, he wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four at Barnhill, his final novel.
You can also visit the world’s third-largest whirlpool, Corryvreckan, which sits between Jura and nearby Scarba in the north – it’s a sight like no other
Explore Jura
Jura businesses and Activity Providers visiting Jura
McKinlay Kidd Ltd
Award-winning specialist tour operator making holidays differently throughout Argyll and the Isles. At McKinlay Kidd, we like to get up close and personal wi...
Head Office: McKinlay Kidd
6/1 (front) The Hatrack
144 St Vincent St
Glasgow
G2 5LQ
Tel: 0141 260 9260
The Majestic Line (Scotland) Ltd
Step aboard a small ship cruise with The Majestic Line, a Scottish holiday with a difference. Sail the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Loch Ness, the Caledonian Ca...
18 Highland Avenue
Sandbank
Dunoon
Argyll
PA23 8PB
Tel: 01369707951
Basking Shark Scotland
Operating across Argyll & the Isles, our wildlife-watching adventures run from April - October. Basking Shark Scotland is the only dedicated snorkel oper...
Cluaran
Crannaig-a-Mhinister
Oban
PA34 4LX
Tel: 07975 723140
Bothan Jura Retreat
Sitting above Corran Sands, at the gateway to the Paps of Jura in the crofting settlement of Knockrome, we have built Bothan Jura Retreat as a space to unwin...
Bothan Jura Retreat
Knockrome
Isle of Jura
PA60 7XZ
Tel: 07876 681165
Islay Sea Adventures
We are Islay's only boat tour company. We offer a range of tours, including wildlife, fishing, seafood and Corryveckan.
Looking for something bespoke and pe...
Trip departure Address:
Port Ellen Pontoons
Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
PA42 7DW
Tel: 01496 300129
Hebridean Air Services
Our 30-minute scenic flights take in castles and other points of interest around Oban and Lorn. Our sightseer tickets allow you to fly on the schedule withou...
Oban Airport
North Connel
PA37 1SW
Tel: 0845 805 7465
Lussa Gin
Lussa Gin is made by 3 women at the end of the single-track road on the Isle of Jura. They grow and gather 15 botanicals and use a unique distillation proces...
The Stables
Ardlussa
Isle of Jura
Argyll
PA60 7XW
Tel: 01496 820196
Westie Whisky Tours
The west coast of Scotland is home to some of the best, if not the best, distilleries in Scotland. Westie Whisky is run by a self-confessed whisky geek, who...
Head Office: Ramsay House
Glenalmond
Perth
PH1 3RY
Tel: +44 (0)7946 839738
All you need to know about visiting Islay & Jura
Visit | Islay | Jura | Argyll & the Isles
What makes Jura so special? There is nowhere quite like it in Scotland. Mountainous, wild and sparsely populated, it couldn’t be more different from Islay.
How to enjoy Jura by ferry, foot and bike. | Argyll & the Isles
Jura is the eighth largest Scottish island but cyclists can enjoy the quiet road (there’s only one!) while intrepid walkers can explore the wild west coast.
4 Ways to enjoy the wonderful wildlife of Islay
The Hebridean island of Islay is one of the most wildlife-rich places on the west coast of Scotland. Here’s how to enjoy the wonderful wildlife of Islay.
Islay & Jura on YouTube
Immerse yourself in all things Islay & Jura by watching our dedicated YouTube playlist for food and drink, activities and so much more!
Planning your journey
Travelling to and from Islay and Jura is a 2 hour ferry crossing from Kennacraig on the Kintyre pennisual which can be reached by car or by bus.
If travelling by car to Jura, take the Islay ferry from Kennacraig before taking the short connecting ferry from Port Askaig across to Jura. If by foot, take the passenger only service to Craighouse on Jura, from Tayvallich near Lochgilphead.
You can even fly to Islay from Glasgow.
