For Argyll

It has taken four years work by Jura’s ‘Initiative at the Edge’ to get the new passenger service from Tayvallich into Craighouse that launched a week ago. The twelve-passenger Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) has already had a modest positive impact on Tayvallich’s local economy - the shop and cafe have been doing new business. The service will open up the island to far easier access to visitors coming direct from mainland Argyll. At present, the only way to reach Jura is by the small ferry from Port Askaig on Islay to Feolin on Jura, across the fast-flowing Sound of Islay. This vehicle ferry’s operation has been set back to a degree by the flaws with the new slipway at Port Askaig, so the new passenger service comes at a good time. Its social impact in bringing two remote communities - one an Atlantic island and one on the inland shores of a sea loch - into close and easy contact with each other will be interesting to observe and measure.

Service details

• The vessel, operated by Islay Sea Safari, is based at Craighouse on Jura and runs to Tayvallich on sheltered Loch Sween on the west coast of mainland Argyll’s Kintyre peninsula.
• Booking is advised as the RIB carries twelve passengers. Phone 07768 450000 between 8am & 5pm.
• If you have booked and cannot travel, please advise the operator, to free up seat availability.
• The journey takes one hour and costs £15 single, £30 return.
• The schedule sees two return services a day, six days a week - there are no services on Tuesdays.
• Mondays and Fridays see departures from Craighouse at 7.00am and 17.00pm with departures from Tayvallich at 10.00am and 18.15pm.
• Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays see departures from Craighouse at 8.45am and 15.15pm; with departures from Tayvallich at 10.00am and 16.30pm
• Sundays see departures from Craighouse at 9.15m and 17.00pm; with departures from Tayvallich at 10.30am and 18.15pm.

We attach here the full timetable details and also the timetables of connecting bus services to and from the nearby town of Lochgilphead and to and from Glasgow. The document in in pdf format. jura-passenger-ferry-timetables

Photos shown are by Deborah Bryce, Development Officer for the Jura ‘Initiative at the Edge’ and show, left to right: the Islay Sea Safari Rib which will carry the new ferry service; the gardens at Jura House; the Jura Hotel.

Jura ‘Initiative at the Edge’ wishes to express its gratitude to Argyll and Bute Council, who have backed the project since its inception; HIE; Crown Estate; VisitScotland; and Argyll & Bute Community Planning Partnership who have all played their part. The practical support offered by Tayvallich Bay Association and Jura Development Trust ia also recognised; and this, together with the backing of local Community Councils, elected councilors and members of the communities on both sides of the Sound of Jura, has finally brought this important new service to life.