24 Hours on Jura

How to see Jura in a day

Jura is a remote but rewarding location and a great place to relax and take time out from the hustle and bustle of busy life. The open spaces and stillness are something that you must experience for yourself.

In case you only have a short time to visit us, we’ve put together this handy itinerary of some of the things you might like to see and do during your stay on Jura.

These suggestions are perfectly suited towards nature lovers, fans of the outdoors and families with younger children. We’ve also tried to include suggestions which will suit both cyclists and drivers, depending on your preferred mode of transport around the island.

Early Morning (7am - 9am) 

You don’t have to wait long in the day to experience the beauty of Jura. If you’re waking up in our largest village, Craighouse, then you’ll have the chance to witness one of the most stunning sunrises that the British Isles have to offer.

Of course, starting the day in such a magical way does tend to work up an appetite. Thankfully, both the Jura Hotel and Antlers are fantastic spots for a hearty breakfast. And, if you can’t wait to get started with your day, then you’ll be pleased to find that both offer breakfast rolls to takeaway.

Before heading off into the wilderness though, remember to make sure that you’re properly prepped for the day ahead. Walking in Jura’s famous Paps (our 3 strong mountain range) requires the correct clothing and footwear, drinks and snacks… and a check of the weather forecast first. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you may also want to pack midge repellent. Scotland’s infamous predatory flies may be wee, but they do still like to make a big breakfast out of visitors! Don't worry though, they are not poisonous, just a nuisance when there is no strong wind to blow them away!

Morning (9am - 12pm)

Kick things off by taking a walk around Craighouse village itself. You can immerse yourself in some of our island’s history by visiting the village church’s photo gallery of Jura from times gone by, then listen to Jura Lives – a history listening experience which can be found at the Service Point (open 10am – 12.30pm).

After that enjoy a short stroll or cycle of around a mile to visit Keils, which used to be a small crofting township and enjoys fantastic views across Small Isles Bay.

Alternatively, if you prefer to experience Jura in a more exhilarating way, then you might prefer to spend your morning taking a boat trip around the island. Jura Boat Tours offers bespoke RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tours which allow you to enjoy sights like the famous Corryvreckan Whirlpool (the world's third largest whirlpool), as well giving you the chance to see some of our native marine life, like dolphins, porpoises, seals, otters and even (occasionally!) minke whales.

Lunchtime (12-2pm)

If you don’t already have a packed lunch with you from The Jura Hotel, then you’ll want to head back to either the Hotel or Antlers for a spot of lunch. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper island feed if you didn’t enjoy some of our famous local seafood or venison!

If your afternoon plans involve hopping on a bus, then you might also want to spend lunchtime checking the local timetables as some services do need to be booked in advance.

Afternoon (2pm - 5pm)

If you are looking to get out and about and explore, then you can drive to the North end of the island and pay a visit to the Lussa Gin distillery. As well as the distillery, the scenery and nature around the North of the island means that you can easily spend all afternoon exploring.

If you prefer to stay in the Craighouse area, then you must visit the island’s world-famous whisky distillery – just make sure you’ve booked a tasting. Alternatively, you can enjoy the circa 2-mile walk or cycle to relax on the beautiful beach at Corran sands. If you’re craving exercise more than relaxation, then you can spend around 1.5 hours on the pleasant Corran river walk.

If that doesn’t quicken the pulse enough for your liking then Small Isles Bay (this is where Craighouse sits to the south western corner) offers activities such as kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.

Evening (5pm - 10pm) 

In the evening it’s time to take it easy and enjoy dinner in either Antlers or The Jura Hotel. You may be lucky enough to find an event or ceilidh on in the village hall (something not to be missed!) or some live music in the Jura pub. We are visited by talented musicians from far and wide but even have home grown talent who like to share a tune or two from time to time. Alternatively, if you visit in September, then your visit may even coincide with our favourite island event of the year, the annual Jura Music Festival.

However you choose to spend your evening, we’re sure you’ll do it with a broad smile, having spent a wonderful day on a truly special island.

A note for visitors and walkers on the hills - Deer stalking takes place between the months of July and February, so if you plan to visit us during these months, please, as a courtesy contact the relevant estates in advance before you plan to go on your walk. This ensures the deer stalkers know of your presence and helps to keep everyone safe to enjoy the countryside in their own way. Contact details for all the estates can be found at www.juradmg.co.uk