The new Maltings are pitched higher up the slopes of the hill, but nevertheless they communicate wit4 the other parts of the works. The Distilling and Mashing House consist of a lofty and solid stone block of buildings, which are visible for many miles round, and attached thereto are the old Maltings and Warehouses, which are built round a court yard. The works cover nearly three acres of ground, and are situated close to the pier, and a beautifully wooded glen. It is the highest building on the island, and the most elevated portion farms the summer residence of the proprietors. It is one of the handsomest we have seen, and from the bay looks more like a caste than a Distillery. Rising early the next morning we proceeded to inspect the establishment. We were, however, quite content with the repast provided. In Jura the inhabitants are beyond the reach of anything but dairy produce, potatoes and fish occasionally a mountain sheep is kilted and divided among the community, but, as a rule, it is a question of a daily forage for a day’s supply of food. Ferguson had courteously placed at our disposal during our visit to the island, we found a meal ready, to which, after the long walk, we brought a good appetite. It was now evening, but we were nearly home, and out path, if not welt lighted was beautified by the soft light of the setting gun. Returning by another way we passed the two smaller lochs already referred to, abounding in trout preserved by the proprietors of the Distillery.

Looking above and below the scene embraced extremes of fertility and desolation: above, sterile rocks, over which clouds and mist hung which were sometimes lifted, and revealed tremendous masses of rock projecting from the lofty mountain above below, well cultivated crofters’ holdings and the rich verdure of the lower stretches of the mountain were revealed. The burn danced merrily over its rocky bed, making innumerable falls and cascades, and we were struck with the brightness and purity of the water after an hour’s toilsome ascent we reached the largest of the lochs, situated about three miles from the Distillery, and a magnificent view presented itself when we reached these heights. We ascended the hill at the back and found a path which fan along the banks of the hum, and although up h.111 and down dale, it proved a very pleasant ramble. Fraser, we directed our steps to the three lochs, or watersheds, which feed the magnificent bum flowing past the Distillery.

As there were yet several hours before sunset we took the opportunity of exploring the surroundings of the Distillery, and visited the Craig bum and waterfall. Fraser, the courteous manager, who had met us at the boat. On landing we immediately proceeded to the Distillery, accompanied by Mr. It stands at the head of a small bay, and boasts of a handsome pier, which was erected by Messrs. Its bays possess all the charms of Oban in miniature, and the mountain lochs team with trout.Ĭraighouse, where the Distillery is planted, is on the eastern or habitable side of the island, and is the only place that can be cal led a village. The Island of Jura is thirty miles long and seven broad, and contains a population of nearly a thousand persons. The principal denizens of these weird rocks are eagles, red deer, and grouse. Upon these majestic heights no trees strike root, and here and there beetling crags project, with no shadow to break their terrible ruggedness, whilst at their base are everywhere strewn gigantic boulders. Three of these monster rocks are called “Paps of Jura”, so named from their peculiar share. The appearance of Jura from this position is very romantic, the mountains rising precipitately from the sea, same of them to the height of 2,500 feet above sea level. The name of Jura recalls to our memories just such a lovely day as when, standing on the pier at Caol Ila, we first saw the island across the Islay Sound. The route was for the most part the same as that traversed on our journey to Islay. MacBrayne’s steamer “Fingal”, which leaves the mails every Monday.

Oban distillery to isle of jura