Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 32 on 13/04/2007.

This article is 14 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.

Whisky island paradise (Jura)

A new luxury lodge on the Isle of Jura is the perfect place to relax and discover the island's whisky made just next door, as Kate Ennis discovers

One of the joys of visiting Jura is in how difficult it is just to get there in the first place. From Glasgow, the journey equates to a three-hour drive and two-hour ferry ride to Islay, or taking a gamble on the unreliable small plane service, proceeded by a drive to another ferry before you even set foot on this Hebridean island off the south-west coast of Scotland. However, the closer you get towards this wild and windswept isle that’s just 24 miles long and eight miles wide, the further you move from the mania of modern life. Welcome to the blissful place of no mobile phone coverage.

To experience such rugged beauty, the retribution usually involves forgoing luxury along with those other modern conveniences. Jura has never exactly been brimming with enticing accommodation to make you want to stay here.

But that’s all changed with the opening of Jura Lodge. This unexpected haven of Parisian chic in the island’s village-like ‘capital’ of Craighouse is now available for rent as the ultimate house party getaway.

Owned by Isle of Jura distillery, the lodge is perfectly positioned overlooking the bay and right outside the distillery gates. This once bland whitewashed building, originally used to accommodate company visitors, has undergone a serious cosmetic makeover to become a stylish holiday bolthole.

As you climb the stone stairs, you come to the first floor and the sleeping quarters where the lodge’s five bedrooms – four doubles and a twin – are found. The one to bag is.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Scotland Magazine to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Kate Ennis

Section : Best of Scotland

Page number : 30