Scottish anchorages

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Jura

Craighouse 2nd page

Jura city centre

Craighouse, city centre

Cemetry

Keils graveyard

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Recently a bring your own bottle bistro - the Antlers (ph 01496 820123) - has opened in a very nicely restored building. There have been favourable reports, and the coffee and cake are certainly good, and there are some crafty things to peruse and buy. But will it stay open I wonder? In 2011 it was up for sale and has now been taken on by new people - we can but hope for the best.

The walk north through the village is pleasant. The church seems to have a semi-permanent collection of old photographs of Jura people. The building was started in the late 18th Century but has had several waves of alterations since then. It is plain, calm and Scottish. There is a very useful playground just next to the church.

A bit further north, and up the hill a bit, there is an old village called Keils with the remains of crofting houses, some rescued by - I guess - incomers. Further up still is an atmospheric graveyard which is tricky to find. Here there is a serene view across the Sound of Jura to Kintyre. The birdsong and the sound of a rushing burn must drown out the minister's words. A good last resting place if only one was around to enjoy it. Unfortunately there is a ghastly concrete extension with horrible railings, particularly vile juxtaposed against the beautiful old rubble walls.

You can hire bikes (ph 07092 820385), walk to or take the bus to Jura House and gardens which are said to be excellent (but they are currently closed by the new owner which is bad news indeed).

The Jura Hotel built in 1834 has 18 now mostly refurbished rooms, a bar (but no dradft beer yet), showers round the back (with erratic hot water) and meals both in the bar and the restaurant - try the ultra fresh langoustines (ph 01496 820243). It is rather cosy with lovely views from the sitting and dining rooms, and the bar, and from some of the bedrooms too - with tropical trees in the foreground as well as the occasional stag at night time. It was bought by friends in May 2010 and so - by definition - it will be a success! Make sure to book if you want dinner in the dining room.