Isle of Jura
by allthebest • 10 Jan ’08 • Scotland, travel • 18 Comments
Jura, a small Hebridean island and producer of Jura single malt is home to 3,000 deer and 180 people. Many have described the island as isolated and otherworldly. Little wonder George Orwell came here to write 1984 more than 50 years ago. Orwell described the island as “an extremely un-get-at-able place”. That much hasn’t changed. Even for those of us who live in Scotland.
You can fly to neighboring Islay (pronounced eye-la) from Glasgow but most people drive. It’s a three-hour journey from Glasgow to Kennacraig, followed by a two-hour ferry to Islay and a five-minute hop across to Jura.
Jura is an island rich in history, myths and superstitions. Excavations show it welcomed some of the oldest settlements in Scotland over 8,000 years ago. It also became a Viking stronghold, while its ancient graveyard at Kilearnadil boasts a number of Knights Templar gravestones and is reputedly the resting place of a saint.
Those who make the trek to Jura have always come of their own accord. Mostly it has been for the seclusion, Jura’s famous single malts and jagged landscapes. While all are perfectly good enticements, my exacting motivator is the Jura Lodge.
Opened in late 2006 and designed by French designer Bambi Sloan,
the delightfully over decorated lodge boasts high-thread-count linens, a vast kitchen, stags heads, Bakelite phones and plenty of whisky. “No plastic!” was Bambi Sloan’s edict when she began conceptualizing and collating furniture and decorative pieces for the lodge.
To capture the spirit of the island, where the rugged meets twee, she combed the flea markets of France and Belgium, as well as Spanish emporia for delicate vintage linens, lace, glass, leather and metalwork to complement the rugged tooth-and-claw elements.
Its two massive floors can accommodate up to eight people and comes complete with a live-out housekeeper. Perfect for endless conversations around a wee dram, peat burning fires and views of the amazing Jura sky.
Definitely on my list of places to see in my lifetime!
Sounds wonderful! (And relaxing too!)
Wow! Sounds amazing!! I’d love to escape to Jura for a week and enjoy a few wee drams.
Ronda, what a wonderful post–so interesting and beautiful! Love the rustic meets glam décor of the lodge, and a wee dram by the fire sounds just about perfect
“No plastic!” Vive Ms. Sloan. Wish I could escape it.
Just heard a bit of Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture in B Minor Op. 26″ inspired as he watched the 35′ swells from the relative safety of the coast. Evocative. And really makes you want to hunker down at the Lodge with a whisky. I bet it would be a ball with a houseful of friends for the weekend.
Love the antlers and lodge decor! It looks beautiful and relaxed.
It looks like a wonderful and mysterious place to be away from the crowds.
I too love the rustic meets glam décor of the lodge {this is glamorous}.
Polly I do hope you make it to Jura!
easy and elegant life – Hebrides Overture performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra,under Sir Alexander Gibson, is one of my favorites. Of course I am biased having worked for the RSNO.
Mysterious is a good adjective Patricia!
What a beautiful place. I even love all the antlers.
So cool to learn about this! Thanks for another great post.
The antlers really catch the eye! Looks like a wonderful, european kind of lodge! Beautiful pictures.
JOni
This lodge is so wonderfully rustic – I love it. And the antlers are fabulous. I’m a fan of the antler!
I love the collision of textures, colors, styles in this lodge. Indeed, it’s a fairyland for adults.
it definitely seems like you are stepping into another world in those photos… and i love the decor as well – it’s “lodge light!” not the usual heavy dark woody colors of the lodges we are used to – and definitely more glam. yet another wonderful post!
Stunning photos! The blue of the lodge room is such a perfect blue. That drum table gives new meaning to the old phrase. The ferry picture is fantastic.