Roaming around

Islay and Jura part 2

On Saturday 2 August we hopped across on the Kennacraig-Feolin ferry to Jura. The trip across the water takes about 3 minutes and there's room for 2 cars. Such a nice way to travel.

We stopped in Craighouse at 8am for a quick look around. There wasn't much open yet but we had a nice chat with the local headteacher's husband, took some photos of the pier and the Isle of Jura Distillery, then drove up to the north of the island.

Hubby's ancestors used to live in Kinuachdrachd, a lovely spot and the most northerly house on the island. It's a mile past Barnhill, where George Orwell wrote 1984. You have to drop your car off at the start of the private road and walk 5 miles to get there. But it's worth it for the beautiful views along the way.

Had a quick look at the house - didn't want to intrude - then tramped the 5 miles back and jumped in the car to speed back to Craighouse for the afternoon fun at the Jura Regatta.

Met up with hubby's mum's cousin and his son, who were so friendly it was hard to believe it'd been 25 years since he had met them.

Kirsten G also showed us around, bought us tea and lovely cakes, and showed us fascinating old pictures in the Parish Church at Craighouse.

Were sad to leave, but hurried back to get the last ferry. No need, as it turned out - we were the only ones there and sat skimming stones in the evening sun till our ferryman came over to take us back to Islay.

Islay and Jura - part 1

Just back from a brilliant long weekend in Islay and Jura.

Accommodation

We stayed in the lovely an taigh-osda (literally 'The Hotel') in Bruichladdich. It's just opened but already feels like a well-established...establishment.

Owners Paul and Joan know Islay really well (Paul's an Islay native) and they've completely renovated the building, making a beautiful but comfortable hotel with stunning views over Lochindaal.

* Update 20/08 *

Thanks for your comment, Ron - yes, first one on my new blog :-)

Things we did - Bruichladdich Distillery

Our hotel was such a short distance away from the Bruichladdich Distillery we went there on our first day as soon as we'd checked in.

We were on the lookout for its web cams - hubby had checked one of them out the week before our trip and seen an elderly gentleman meander along to the rocks on the shore with his shopping bag, gaze out at the loch and stop a while. Half an hour later, he checks the web cam again - the gent's still there, relaxing (and yes, the image had updated). Something told us we'd enjoy Islay's relaxed pace of life.

The tour of the distillery was done by Mary, a character and a half who was born in Bruichladdich. She was full of fun and stories and by the end of the tour had gathered biographies from most of the group - "Hope your foot's better soon", "Good luck for the marathon tomorrow", etc. The tour was similar to a few others we had been on but did feel more personal. Maybe the fact that it's still independent, but also there were nice quirky touches - a converted milk lorry to transport the whisky around the site, no computers to run the manufacturing side, staff members featuring on the whisky packaging. Plus we got a sneaky peak at the thousands of casks sleeping peacefully side by side and waiting for their lucky owners to wake them...

About this blog

This blog is about our travels and foodie experiences, mostly around Scotland but also abroad. The focus is on great hospitality, unique and memorable moments (at least to us!), the friendly and quirky people out there and just stuff we've enjoyed.