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Isle of Jura Passenger Ferry
16th June - 29th September 2008
Craighouse - Tayvallich
£15 each way
Booking advisable 07768 450000
Monday, 16th June was a very significant date for the residents of the Isle of Jura and anyone who would like to visit this remote and beautiful island. I should say that Jura was remote, for a new fast scheduled passenger ferry service will make the island easily accessible for everyone. This new service operates from Craighouse, the island’s main centre of population, to and from Tayvallich in North Knapdale. Thanks to a fast, comfortable, covered, 11 metres RIB the journey is made in under an hour, making a day trip a real possibility for the first time. It also allows residents of Jura easy access to Lochgilphead, Oban and even Glasgow thanks to good connections with local and national bus services. Of course, these same bus routes allow visitors to get to Jura easily too.
The community decided that a direct link to mainland Scotland was an essential ingredient if the island was to reverse its decline. After an independent study into the feasibility of such a link a vehicle ferry option was rejected due to high infrastructure costs and the unwelcome environmental impact it would have on the natural heritage of this beautiful island. A study into a passenger ferry led by Jura’s IatE Committee found that there was strong local support which was reflected by the community in Tayvallich. A three week trial during September 2007 showed that such a service was technically and financially feasible and that links to bus services on the mainland worked well. This service was used extensively by visitors and local businessmen as well as residents from both sides of the water and it was good to see a recognisable increase in business activity in both Craighouse and Tayvallich.
However turning a wish into reality requires hard work, determination and lots of support too, especially for such a small community as Jura’s. In this case thanks are due to Argyll & Bute Council, who have backed the project since its inception. Thanks also to 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 should not go unrecognised either and this together with the backing of local Community Councils and elected councillors on both sides of the Sound of Jura has finally brought this important new service to life.
The ferry will run six days per week (no service on Tuesdays) until 29th September with four crossings each day, two in each direction at a cost of £15 each way. The vessel is based in Craighouse and departure times from there vary to enable passengers to travel to Oban and Glasgow on Mondays and Fridays. Morning departures from Tayvallich are easy to remember; 10:00 am on each service day except Sunday, when it’s 10:30 am. Full details of the bus and ferry timetable will be displayed on posters in Lochgilphead, Tayvallich and Craighouse as well as VisitScotland offices throughout Argyll. They can also be viewed at websites run by Argyll & Bute Council, Jura Development Trust and the Jura Stores. Brochures are also available from a wide range of Tourist Information outlets.
This service cuts the travel time from Lochgilphead to Jura from 4 – 5 hours to just 1 ½ hours. It will be very popular with both business folk and visitors so wherever possible you are advised to make a booking by contacting the operator, Nicol MacKinnon, on 07768 450000, who runs the service on behalf of the Isle of Jura IatE Committee. Nor do you have to take your car to Tayvallich as you can always catch the bus from Lochnell Street in Lochgilphead.
See you on Jura, where you are always assured of a warm welcome.
Fàilte do Dhiùra
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