Jura Passenger Ferry: service secured for revised timetable

Great news for the Isle of Jura and for travellers exploring Argyll and the Isles.

Following its successful trial year, funding has been secured for the continuation of the Jura Passenger Ferry service from the Argyll mainland to Jura. For the 2010 season the service will start on 2nd April and run until 28th September.

The service runs from Tayvallich, at the head of Loch Sween, out into the Sound of Jura and over to Craighouse.

The boat used – a Stormforce 11 RIB – was built at Redbay in Northern Ireland – from where an earlier ferry service ran to Campbeltown in Kintyre. Its cabin seats 12 passengers and 2 crew in shelter and in comfort, with all round visibility for the stunning views on the route.

On the mainland, the ferry times and local bus service times are coordinated, so transfers between  Tayvallich and Lochgilphead, Oban and Glasgow are straightforward. (For details, contact the bus operator, Anderson Coaches on 01546 870354 and check out the website.)

At the Tayvallich end of the route there’s a Coffee Shop beside the ferry berth and the Tayvallich Inn – an award winner – offering fresh seafood and bar meals.

At the Jura end, in Craighouse, there is The Antlers, a bistro and restaurant whose name is an ironic reference to the fact that on Jura, deer vastly outnumber people. Then there is, of course, the Isle of Jura single malt whisky distillery, with tours and a gift shop.

The Jura Passenger Ferry website – in its section on Jura – carries lists of acommodation in the island and contacts for bike hirfe etc.

At both ends of this beautiful ferry route, there are places worth walking to and around.

What is hoped will now be a permanent service running over the late Spring, Summer and early Autumn period, has revised the schedules run in the pilot period. This is clearly pragmatic, ensuring the sustainability of the ferry.

In the early and late parts of its season, it focuses on the main market for ferry customers, going and coming over long weekend. This means operating twice a day in each direction on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays; and once a day in each direction on Sundays.

In the main season, between 25th May and 28th September, the service also runs twice a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There will be no services on Wednesdays at any point.

Check the website for full timetable details. Tickets cost £17.50 single. Journey time is one hour.

For additional information and to book – highly advisable – phone 07768 450000 or email islayseasafari@aol.com