4 minute read
islay & Jura
iSLAy AnD JuRA
islay, the Queen of the Hebrides and its wild neighbour Jura are home to some of the very best the west coast has to offer.
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Discover world-class distilleries, beautiful beaches, impressive heritage and outstanding wildlife. These islands promise something for everyone.
Famous the world over for whisky, the two islands are home to 10 whisky and three gin distilleries, along with wine, ale and soon rum. Islay and Jura will certainly whet your appetite with tours and tastings offered by all producers. Both islands share a rich heritage – Islay was the headquarters and political centre of the Hebrides in the 12th century. Standing stones, ancient forts and duns can be found across each island and visitors can discover more at the Museum of Islay Life and at Finlaggan, the seat of the Lord of the Isles
Both islands boast miles of stunning deserted beaches and spectacularly varied wilderness.
Home to both golden and sea eagles, otters, chough and deer, visitors don’t have to try too hard to discover epic scenery and special wildlife exploring the corners of these islands on foot or by car.
Adventure and activity seekers are in for a treat with kayaking, biking, world-class golf, whisky tours and boat tours. Surely nothing can beat the exhilaration of a trip to the Corryvreckan whirlpool, the third largest in the world, off the coast of Jura, made famous by George Orwell.
Islay and Jura are a walkers paradise, each offering terrain and routes to suit all abilities, from a gentle amble along the three distilleries pathway, to taking on one of the mighty Paps of Jura.
Pretty white fishing villages are home to quaint cottages, welcoming B&Bs and hotels with first-class eateries, serving locally-sourced foods alongside fireside drams and toe-tapping traditional music.
ISlAY & JUrA HAND PICKED
Top things to see, do and experience
DISTIllErIES With nine working distilleries, a peat-laden landscape and a rich history, islay and Jura are prime destinations for tours and tastings and each distillery has its own character and fl avour – will you have time to visit them all? THE AmErICAN moNUmENT built on high cliffs on the Oa Peninsula, the American monument commemorates the loss of two troop ships, The Tuscania and the Otranto, in separate incidents on islay’s treacherous coastline, in 1918. FINlAGGAN What was once the stronghold of the Lords of the isles, is now an atmospheric ruin on an islet in a shallow loch near Port Askaig. The visitor Centre explains more. www.fi nlaggan.org
lIGHTHoUSES islay’s collection of historic lighthouses are a reminder of the dangers of this coast – they include Ruuval lighthouse on the Sound of islay, Loch indaal lighthouse, near Port Charlotte, and the square Carraig fhada lighthouse, near Port ellen.
JUrA A short hop by ferry from Port Askaig on islay, Jura is one of the uK wildest destinations, famed for red deer and links to the writer George Orwell, who wrote 1984 here. Jura is a do-able day trip from islay, though wildlife-lovers and walkers will want longer. mACHIr BEACH near Kilchoman, Machir bay is a 2km sweep of sand and one of islay’s outstanding beaches. it’s a short walk, via a grassy track, from the car park.
