

The distillery was founded in 1962 by local landowners Robin Fletcher and Tony Riley-Smith with the aim of producing lighter whiskies for blending by larger operators. If you book onto the Jura Boat Tours, local Robert Henry will take you out from the coast to catch a glimpse of other wildlife – including dolphins and whales.Jura distillery is a Scottish single malt whisky producer based on the island of Jura, just north of Islay, in the Inner Hebrides chain of western Scottish Islands. Alongside its grand population of deer, Jura is home to many colonies of ordinary and grey seals, who make their home in nearby Loch Tarbert. It’s a great spot not just to walk or to enjoy the water, but to spy some of the local coastal wildlife. If you’re looking for beaches, Corran Sands and the quieter Small Isles Bay are best enjoyed during the summer when the water is a little warmer than usual. It’s accessible only by boat tours, which can take you safely to the whirlpool itself. Legend has said that many mythological creatures came from the whirlpool – from kelpies to mermaids to the hag goddess of winter. The Royal Navy even called it Britain’s most treacherous stretch of water! The third largest whirlpool in the world, Corryvreckan is found in the narrow strait between Jura and Scarba and created by the warm waters of the Atlantic and an unusual underwater makeup. The mysterious Corryvreckan Whirlpool is the stuff of local legend.

This remote Scottish island provides the canvas from which these dedicated islanders take their inspiration and the distillery provides the means by which to bring this to life through whisky making.

‘Jura 10 Year Old’, a smooth all-rounder with gentle spice and sherry sweetness.‘Journey’, a welcoming whisky, light and fruity with a touch of gentle spice.Building was completed in 1968 and now, a collection of distinctive single malts are produced and sold around the world. Tony Riley-Smith and Robin Fletcher decided to pool their resources and renovate the place entirely so it could begin producing whisky again and support the local economy. Originally built in 1810 by the Laird of Jura – part of Clan Campbell, a dominant force on the island until 1938 – the distillery produced for a number of years before falling into disrepair and eventually being decommissioned altogether.īut, in the 1960s, the intrepid thoughts of two local estate-owners breathed new life into the building and helped revive the community. Not only does it create incredible spirits, but it’s also one of the island’s central employers and a pillar of support for the community. Producing internationally renowned, award-winning whisky, their remarkable collection of single malt scotch whiskies have made them one of Scotland’s most revered producers. Barnhill Farmhouse – where Orwell stayed to write – is still available for lovers of the writer to visit and see the place where he was inspired.Īn iconic export, the very heart of the island is the Jura Distillery. Much like the Scandinavian prince, Orwell was also nearly taken by the Corryvreckan Whirlpool during a boating trip with a friend. Not only was it the place where he completed his seminal novel ‘1984’, but he also named it the most ‘un-get-at-able place’ in the world. To those not in the know, the island came to great prominence further South when author George Orwell stayed in Jura from 1946-48. It was even the source of the legend of Corryvreckan, where a Prince’s life was taken when he tried to keep his boat moored using three different ropes. Norse Vikings took control of much of the Inner Hebrides for centuries, thanks to their convenient location near Northern Europe. Ulster is closer to Jura than Glasgow and would’ve made a natural place for residents to visit.įor a long time, the island was under Scandinavian rule. Some historians have even theorised that early settlers on the island were not from the Scottish mainland – but from Northern Ireland. Before this, Jura was almost entirely covered in forest and local animals – but the presence of Standing Stones on the island suggest that those early residents certainly left their mark. The island’s history dates back centuries, though many historians believe it was the Neolithic era that first welcomed humans onto the island.
