The Isle of Jura has three real successes to toast. The award of funding to the project to develop the Antlers building as a tearoom, interpretation and craft centre is one. The second is the successful launch of the fast passenger ferry from Tayvallich on the Kintyre peninsula over to Craighouse. THe third is the installation of eight new moorings, two pontoons with a landing bridge which will enable dinghys and small boats from visiting yachts to land. Before this, if conditions were unfavourable, such boats were unable to get ashore at all.

So Jura is holding a celebratory civic reception at Craighouse on the 1st August, attended by residents and businessmen from Jura and Tayvallich, Argyll MPs, MSPs, local Councillors and Argyll and Bute Council’s Transport Spokesman. The latter will be celebrating the success of the new passenger ferry while ducking brickbats on the organisational disaster to hit the established vehicle ferry.

The passenger ferry has seen the numbers carried tripled on average since its launch. It now carries an average of 68 per week and the target for sustainability is to get it up to 120 per week. It’s being used by locals, businesses and tourists. The option of a fast service direct from the mainland has helped people with holiday homes on the island to spend much more time in them – good news for Jura as well as for them.

And there have been plenty of surprises. One trip had a nine week old baby alongside a ninety year old woman. Three dogs have made the crossing. Passengers on some of the journeys have seen seals and dolphins. Cyclists have proved a notable market. One crossing carried eight bikes. Business-wise, the increased traffic to the island has already brought a modest benefit to the Isle of Jura Hotel and to the coffee shop at the Tayvallich end.

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