The Jura Ferry
On any island the most important aspect of its transport system is how it is accessed. The Isle of Jura is fairly unique among islands of the Scottish west coast, known as the Hebrides, in that it cannot be accessed directly from the mainland by a major ferry service. In order to reach the island visitors must either use the Caldeonian-MacBrayne ferry service to the neaby Isle of Islay, fly into Islay via Logan Air Service from Glasgow, or use one of many small independent "water taxis", such as Gemini from the Kintyre (Click here to see a short movie of the CALMAC ferry offloading in Port Askaig, Islay; requires Quicktime viewer, so go here to download a copy.).
At any rate, if one arrives on the Isle of Islay one still must use the Jura ferry, which at present is managed by ASP-SeaScot and owned by the Argyll-Bute Council. The vessel is named the "Eilean Dhiura" (Isle of Jura) and is home ported at Port Askaig, Islay. The vessel can carry approximately 8-12 cars (size dependent), less if commercial vans or industrial lorries are involved in crossing. The ferry frequently carries lorries loaded with whisky from the "Isle of Jura" distellery. The ferry is crewed by a pilot and deck crewman operating in, generally speaking, two shifts during the day. First ferry times are dependent on the time of the year and whether or not the schools are in session; the schedule is approximately from 0800 AM until 1830 PM, operating roughly every hour-sometimes more frequently. Later sailings are generally scheduled on Wednesdays throughout the year, though contacting the service can arrange for later sailings up to 2300 with appropriate prior notice. The price of fares has been contentious recently as the price of a roundtrip for a car for a day has risen over 10 pounds sterling, particularly when one considers that the crossing is less than 1 kilometre to cross! On the other hand, Diurachs do have some of the best and most frequent service for any island in Scotland, so the argument is a bit constrained. Telephone contact details for the Jura ferry service are: 01496840681.
"Eilean Dhiura" heading for home port during a Force 5 northwest gale in the late spring of 2004.
Click on the image to see a short movie of the ferry crossing to Jura!
(Requires Quicktime Viewer, go here for a copy)
On any island the most important aspect of its transport system is how it is accessed. The Isle of Jura is fairly unique among islands of the Scottish west coast, known as the Hebrides, in that it cannot be accessed directly from the mainland by a major ferry service. In order to reach the island visitors must either use the Caldeonian-MacBrayne ferry service to the neaby Isle of Islay, fly into Islay via Logan Air Service from Glasgow, or use one of many small independent "water taxis", such as Gemini from the Kintyre (Click here to see a short movie of the CALMAC ferry offloading in Port Askaig, Islay; requires Quicktime viewer, so go here to download a copy.).
At any rate, if one arrives on the Isle of Islay one still must use the Jura ferry, which at present is managed by ASP-SeaScot and owned by the Argyll-Bute Council. The vessel is named the "Eilean Dhiura" (Isle of Jura) and is home ported at Port Askaig, Islay. The vessel can carry approximately 8-12 cars (size dependent), less if commercial vans or industrial lorries are involved in crossing. The ferry frequently carries lorries loaded with whisky from the "Isle of Jura" distellery. The ferry is crewed by a pilot and deck crewman operating in, generally speaking, two shifts during the day. First ferry times are dependent on the time of the year and whether or not the schools are in session; the schedule is approximately from 0800 AM until 1830 PM, operating roughly every hour-sometimes more frequently. Later sailings are generally scheduled on Wednesdays throughout the year, though contacting the service can arrange for later sailings up to 2300 with appropriate prior notice. The price of fares has been contentious recently as the price of a roundtrip for a car for a day has risen over 10 pounds sterling, particularly when one considers that the crossing is less than 1 kilometre to cross! On the other hand, Diurachs do have some of the best and most frequent service for any island in Scotland, so the argument is a bit constrained. Telephone contact details for the Jura ferry service are: 01496840681.
"Eilean Dhiura" heading for home port during a Force 5 northwest gale in the late spring of 2004.
Click on the image to see a short movie of the ferry crossing to Jura!
(Requires Quicktime Viewer, go here for a copy)
The Jura Bus Service
Upon arriving at Feolin Ferry on the Isle of Jura, particularly if one
is a foot passenger, the next most essential link in the island's
transport service is the Jura Bus Service, operated by Mr. Alec
Dunnachie of Craighouse. The bus travels from Feolin Ferry to
Craighouse along Jura's lone single track road (known as the "Long
Road") then north along the island's eastern side until reaching
Ardlussa and Inverlussa near the top of the island.
One of the Jura Bus Service vehicles awaiting the arrival of the "Eilean Dhiura" from Port Askaig, Islay,
offering a unique view of the islands two most essential transport services operating together.
The Jura Bus Service provides the transport for the island's children of high school age who must travel to nearby Bowmore, Islay via the Jura ferry each day, functions as the island's "rolling post office" and serves as a taxi service as well. The importance of the Jura Bus Service in providing not only essential ammenties but the oft-requested "drop-off" for a Christmas gift or birthday present, cannot be measured in "cost terms" and "balance sheets". Telephone contact details for the Jura Bus Service are: 01496820221 or 01496820314. Click here to contact Alec by email. Latest news - Alec has a shiny new bus to add to his fleet...pictures soon !
Links concerning transport issues on the island:
HITRANS - Prepare to download a .pdf report on...believe it or not...the cost of upgrading Jura's lone road...can it be?
(Click here if you don't have Adobe Reader for a web version..).
ASP - Want to see who the government pays to charge you high, higher and even higher ferry fares? Go here.
CALMAC versus Western Ferries - Read the truth on how Big Brother (the government) bought out one company to use it to unfairly compete against another private firm - the real story on why Jura's ferry service is so expensive and why we're the only major Hebridean Island without direct mainland service. So detailed, so provocative, you'll go out and vote your local councillor and MSP out of office after you read this. Just as Orwell would have wanted it, we hunt down the doublespeak...
One of the Jura Bus Service vehicles awaiting the arrival of the "Eilean Dhiura" from Port Askaig, Islay,
offering a unique view of the islands two most essential transport services operating together.
The Jura Bus Service provides the transport for the island's children of high school age who must travel to nearby Bowmore, Islay via the Jura ferry each day, functions as the island's "rolling post office" and serves as a taxi service as well. The importance of the Jura Bus Service in providing not only essential ammenties but the oft-requested "drop-off" for a Christmas gift or birthday present, cannot be measured in "cost terms" and "balance sheets". Telephone contact details for the Jura Bus Service are: 01496820221 or 01496820314. Click here to contact Alec by email. Latest news - Alec has a shiny new bus to add to his fleet...pictures soon !
Links concerning transport issues on the island:
HITRANS - Prepare to download a .pdf report on...believe it or not...the cost of upgrading Jura's lone road...can it be?
(Click here if you don't have Adobe Reader for a web version..).
ASP - Want to see who the government pays to charge you high, higher and even higher ferry fares? Go here.
CALMAC versus Western Ferries - Read the truth on how Big Brother (the government) bought out one company to use it to unfairly compete against another private firm - the real story on why Jura's ferry service is so expensive and why we're the only major Hebridean Island without direct mainland service. So detailed, so provocative, you'll go out and vote your local councillor and MSP out of office after you read this. Just as Orwell would have wanted it, we hunt down the doublespeak...