Jura, Scotland
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Jura is a Scottish island, in the Inner Hebrides. It lies just to the north of Islay. 'Diurach' is the Gaelic name for a native of the island. In English this would be spelt 'Jurach'. However, there is no letter 'J' in Scottish Gaelic .
It 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.
The island is dominated by three steep-sided conical mountains on its western side - the Paps of Jura which rise to over 2500 feet.
A small car ferry that 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.
Past the road end is Barnhill, a remote house which was home to the novelist George Orwell, and where he wrote 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 the Norse word for deer.
External links
- Pictures of Orwell's Scottish Retreat on the Isle of Jura (http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/pics/jura.htm) From Charles' George Orwell Links
- The Isle of Jura Development Trust (http://www.juradevelopment.co.uk)
- Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky (http://www.isleofjura.com)
- Visitors guide to Jura (http://www.jura.visit-islay.com)
- Jura Hotel (http://www.jurahotel.co.uk/)