This Month on Jura -AUGUST 2010-
Jura Regatta. This annual event will be held early this month.
Many islanders who live on the mainland return home especially for this
weekend, which is the largest local event of the year.
Jura Hotel. The islands
only hotel is now under new ownership. We wish them every success.
Ardfin Estate. The Estate,
which is now on the market, has generated a reasonable amount of interest.
Clearly the £3.5 million asking price is not a deterrent to some. The main
village of Craighouse sits within the boundaries of Ardfin, so there is a
direct link between a large number of the islands population and the workings
of the estate. The present owners, the Riley-Smith family has owned the
property since the 1920’s. Over the years they have been very supportive of
many projects on the island.
The Feolin Study
Centre. The charity, which runs this web site and the Feolin
Centre, are encountering financial problems. The Trustees have to make a very
hard decision within the next month, as there is no funding to keep the project
going. It is very likely that without a sound injection of capital that the
Feolin Centre and this web site will close at the end of September. It is
disappointing that all the work the Centre set of to do has never been
achieved. If anyone knows of available funding do urgently contact
isleofjura@btinternet.com
Jura to Islay Ferry. The five-minute crossing between the two islands is
the main access point for Jura. Residents and businesses were dismayed to be
notified that Argyll & Bute Council (the owners) and ASP Ship Management
(the operators) intended to alter the way commercial vehicles are classified.
For many small vans and landrovers this would mean an increase of 134% in the
fare. Jura Community Council and local County Councilors have managed to get a
delay in implementation until the 1st of Sept. This will allow
further discussions to be undertaken and hopefully common sense will prevail.
Living on an island is expensive enough without such inconsiderate moves.
Passenger Ferry. The fast passenger service between Craighouse and
Tayvallich has run into financial problems. We understand the operators Jura
Development Trust need to raise in excess of £12,000 or the service will end in
mid August. The route has provided an alternative option for getting to the
island but it is very hard at this time for the operators to justify the use of
public funds to support the service.
Renewable Energy. The two proposed micro hydroelectric schemes now
have full planning consent. Within the next few months’ work will start on the
larger project on the south west of the island. This is on Inver Estate and
involves a generation plant of approximately 800kw. The smaller unit of 100kw,
on Ardlussa Estate is at the north of the island. It is intended that work will
start early next year. A central estate has submitted an application for a
small wind turbine. The ability for these producers to supply power in to the
National Grid system is still a bit unclear but discussions are ongoing.
Scottish Power Renewables
Research has now made a formal application to Marine Scotland for consent to go
ahead with the proposed tidal power units in the Sound of Islay. SPR and Islay
Energy Trust hope to have the tidal turbines in operation by 2012-13.
Village Hall. The Territorial Army built the hall, which is in
Craighouse, in the early part of the last century. After the war it was donated
to the community by a local landowner. Since then the ‘hall committee’ have
looked after the building and ran many well attended functions in it. Although
still a sound building it is in need of refurbishment and expansion. A planning
application has now been put forward for improvements for which a considerable
amount of funding will be required. We intend to help, by auctioning (possibly
on e-bay) a copy of ‘Jura Language and Landscape, which has been signed by the
author Dr Gary McKay and many of the islands residents.
Craighouse car parking. One of the problems identified in survey undertaken
several years ago was the need for more parking in the centre of the village of
Craighouse. Several groups have looked at this and the main proposal centers
round a new site north of the village hall. The Jura Hall Committee has now
undertaken the project as part of the hall renovation.
Jura Parish Church. With the very
sad and sudden death of the Rev George Campbell, the island has been left
without a minister. Will the Church of Scotland allow a new minister to be
called? On the island doubts exist. If
there are any ministers out there who wish to have a small but active Parish,
perhaps they should get in touch. isleofjura@btinternet.com
Special Protection Area
for Golden Eagles. Island groups and landowners who raised
several objections await a decision but from all accounts these will be
dismissed. We have to question, what is the point of having consultations if
the Scottish Government and Scottish National Heritage are not going to listen
to the people of the island? It appears this is just another set of
restrictions imposed upon the locals.
Landscape Change
Research. Feolin Study Centre has
tried to raise funding for this but regretfully all applications have been
turned down. We had intended to work in
conjunction with the Aberdeen Institute for Coastal Science and Management and
others, in implementing a major research project on environmental change on
Jura. The project will identify what created the changes over the centuries,
how these influenced human use of the land and how that corresponds with the
physical records we have. The research will also look at how climate change (in
particular rising sea levels) may affect the island in the future. Anyone
interested in providing financial assistance for the project, please get in
touch. NOW. Contact isleofjura@btinternet.com
Campbell Mausoleum. For over
200 years members of the Clan Campbell held sway over Jura with many being
buried in the family area in Kilearnadil Cemetery. Now fears are been expressed
about the safety of the Mausoleum as parts of the roof have started to fall of.
The Jura Campbells left in the early 1900’s so Jura Community Council are
trying to establish who is going to take responsibility for repairing the
building which is part of the islands heritage. Is there anyone out there who
can help financially? What does Historic
Scotland do?
The annual deer cull has now
started. During the period July to February about 800 animals will be harvested
from the island herd, which is 4800 in number. The Red Deer stags, (male
animals) are almost finished growing their new antlers. During the next few
weeks they will be seen thrashing a tree or thick heather to get rid of the
soft tissue, which protects the antler till it, is fully grown.
Hill and bog land flowers
are now getting to the end of their bloom but are still providing various types
of feed for the vast range of insects on the island. Which in turn provide food
for the bird life. The amount of dead heather is again very noticeable this
year. It is thought the problem is heather beetle, which eats the shoots.
Many farmers and crofters
will be starting to cut silage and hay now.
Several have environmental agreements, which give financial aid to land
operators if they cut crops late. The idea being that cutting late allows young
birds and animals to have more shelter during their first few days or weeks of
life. The downside being that weeds are allowed to propagate and seed and the
actual fodder has less feed value.
Due to the lack of water in
the rivers the catches of Seatrout and Salmon have been low but the
ever-enthusiastic fishermen hope August will still prove to be a successful
month.