Isles of Islay and Jura
Off the western coast of Scotland , the Isles of Islay and Jura stand in close proximity, yet their geology is very different.
Islay
A haven for bird watchers, Islay is a small, relatively flat island consisting mainly of peat moorland, with a collection of charming little fishing ports, high quality seafood restaurants and of course seven whisky distilleries. Islay is famous for it’s peaty malt whiskies and their smoky taste.
Guided tours are available at each of the distilleries, Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore and Bruichladdich. Bowmore is one of the oldest in Scotland established in 1779 and is one of the few distilleries where the barley is malted on site and the peat kilns give its whiskies that fine smoky flavour. At the Bruichladdich distillery just outside Port Charlotte, they are concocting the peatiest malt ever; the ‘Octomore’ that will be available in just under ten years time.
Islay was also a focus for early Christianity as Kildalton Cross dating back to the 8th Century shows. It was also a seat of power for the Lord of the Isles and the ruined castle of Dunyvaig was once a MacDonald residence. The Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte sets out the history of the island and its inhabitants.
At the end of May each year the island hosts the Islay festival of Malt and Music with a range of events, ceilidhs and distillery open days.
Jura
Though Jura is quite a sizeable island it has a population of just 200. This is because of its wild and stark landscape towered by its three ominous peaks, the Paps of Jura.’ These present a tough hill walk taking about eight hours. The main village on the Island is Craighouse home to the Isle of Jura Distillery and its own peaty single malt. It was on the isolated northern side of the island that George Orwell wrote 1984, a strange location to inspire a novel about a megaplex in constant surveillance.
