Isle of Jura
Jura provides the perfect remote get away and a good variety of walking for those determined enough to seek out its beauty. At 142 square miles it is a little smaller than Islay but has a much smaller population with only around 200 people living on the island, most of them centered in or near Craighouse on the east coast. Although relatively close to the Argyll shore and only 60 miles as the crow flies from Glasgow, the effort required to get to Jura, the rugged terrain and miles of open moorland mean it feels truly remote. Whilst most take the Calmac ferry route via Islay and then cross to Jura from Port Askaig, there is also a summer passenger ferry running daily from Tayvallich which takes bikes.
For hillwalkers the Paps of Jura are the key draw, three quartzite pyramids rising steeply out of the deer drenched sea-level bog and providing wonderful views to numerous islands as well as the mainland. Beinn an Oir at 785m is a Corbett and can easily be completed in a day, or combined with the other two for a more challenging hike. Jura is also known for its populations of golden eagles, hen harriers and other raptors as well as otters and seals. A number of smaller walks such as the island crossing at Tarbert have fantastic wildlife watching spots on route. The northern end of the island provides a number of natural wooded areas and sheltered bays whilst the west coast is the most rugged and remote, interspersed by several sandy beaches. The walk to the Gulf of Corryvreckan passes Barnhill, the remote reteat where George Orwell wrote his classic book 1984.
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Walking can be dangerous and all walkers must take personal responsibility for their own safety. You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walkhighlands strives to provide accurate information but cannot accept responsibility for changes, errors or omissions.
