Jura

Jurassic Millennium

27th May

My visits to the Isle of Jura seem to follow an unintentional three-year cycle, but for the 2000 edition, I found myself with two trips planned within a week. The first, during the Scottish Islands Peaks Race, took place mostly during the hours of darkness – and was rather rushed! – so I was eager for a ‘proper’ visit to the fell race the following weekend. However, the Calmac First Officers had other plans for us all, with their threatened strike for the bank holiday weekend. Organiser Andy Curtis was adamant a race would go ahead – many of the faithful were already on the island – but it might be low-key or even, alas, curtailed.

A few years ago the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon was held on Jura, and a flotilla of small boats had assisted ferrying competitors, so I got hold of some phone numbers and chartered a boat to take some of us this time. Others had similar ideas, but ended up using Calmac when the strike was cancelled at the eleventh hour. We stuck to our arrangement, though, and had much more fun!

Duncan Philips charters his motor launch ‘Farsain’ from Craobh Haven, south of Oban: sight seeing and educational trips, diving groups, shooting parties, and he’s ‘on call’ for the fire brigade etc when they need to visit the smaller islands. He was also chartered by Channel 4 when they made a film about the Corryvreckan Whirlpool and threw a life-like dummy into it (‘It sank like a stone.’ !!) .

Our Friday afternoon charter took us (Jen and I, Christine and Noreen, Janice Mudge and a gang from Kendal AC, four bikes and two dogs) direct to Ardlussa, at the north end of the Jura road; a much quicker (and cheaper) journey to Jura than with Calmac via Isla. The crossing was superb, in fine weather with great views, and Duncan’s dry humour. At Ardlussa we were met by other competitors who had vehicles over on the island. Such is the appeal of the race that the threat of ferry strike didn’t seem to have deterred many folk, and all the usal suspects toed the line the next morning. And the primary school children, who had been busy baking all week, didn’t have to worry their scones and cakes wouldn’t find a home!

The race itself was in fine weather, and drier underfoot than I can ever remember. On the Sunday three of us cycled north and walked over to the west coast to visit remote Glengarrisdale bothy, freshly whitewashed by a work party (who had, you guessed, it, chartered Duncan to get them there). But all too soon Monday came and it was time to pack up and head for Ardlussa. As we sailed out of the bay, the Paps gradually ‘rose’ over the colourful rhododendrons round Ardlussa House. Magic!

For the record:

150 Mark Rigby 3.16.14

21/1. Jennifer Rae 4.15.38

36. Murdo Macleod 4.32.07

53. Christine Menhennet 4.48.04

93. Noreen Jennison 6.03.38