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Introducing Isle of Jura
Jura lies off the coast of Argyll, long, dark and low like a vast Viking longship, its billowing sail the distinctive triple peaks of the Paps of Jura. A magnificently wild and lonely island, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all – as George Orwell did in 1948. Orwell wrote his masterpiece 1984 while living at the remote farmhouse of Barnhill in the north of the island, describing it in a letter as ‘a very un-get-at-able place’.
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Jura takes its name from the Old Norse dyr-a (deer island) – an apt appellation, as the island supports a population of around 6000 red deer. The deer outnumber their human cohabitants by about 35 to one. Most of the island is occupied by deer-stalking estates, and access to the hills may be restricted during the stalking season (July to February); the Jura Hotel can provide details of areas to be avoided.
The community-run Jura Service Point (820161; Craighouse; 10am-1pm Mon-Fri), 400m north of the Jura Hotel, provides tourist information and free internet access. Jura Stores (820231; Craighouse; 9am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm & 2-4.30pm Sat) is the island’s only shop. There’s no bank or ATM, but you can get cashback on a debit card at the Jura Hotel.
Last updated: Oct 1, 2008
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