Laird of Jura newsletter no.7

Welcome to your Laird of Isle of Jura newsletter number 7. In this issue we bring you an update on the new year celebrations, new rainfall records set for wet and dry months in 2005, read about the hassle being caused by wild deer and goats in the village

News for January/February 06

Jura’s own band, Pete Smoke and the Roaches, helped blast Jura into 2006 with a storming set in the hall “after the bells”. The celebrations began with a ceilidh, led by Graham Rozga on the accordion, then it was time for some good old rock and/or roll with the Roaches! These boys came together by accident when a band due to play at the music festival in September cancelled at the last minute. They have since gone from strength to strength and have just completed a recent world tour of the neighbouring Isle of Islay! Try and catch them when you visit your Jura estate.

Rainfall for 2005

Rainfall records have been kept at Craighouse on Jura since 1983, and are also kept for the Paps, Inver and Lealt. It is amazing the difference some months between Inver and Craighouse, only about 5 or 6 miles apart as the crow flies, but separated by the Paps. For example, in May 2005 152mm fell on Craighouse while only 107.5mm fell on Inver. This can be attributed to the Paps drawing in the clouds which then dump their rain on the hills and on Craighouse, further to the east. Overall, the total rainfall for the year was slightly below average at Craighouse with July being the driest on record, and May being abnormally wet. (Just ask the fell runners!)

Deer and goats

These are becoming a pest in Craighouse doing lots of damage to gardens. In fact, my mother’s vegetable patch was recently stripped bare by a marauding stag!

Strange happenings on Jura

There have been quite a few instances of ghosts being seen on Jura. Here are some of them. During the 1980’s, several people reported seeing the headlights of a car approaching along the islands only single track road. Having pulled into a passing place to let the car past, nothing has appeared. There was no turn off between them and where they saw the car. The farmhouse at Lagg is reputed to be haunted by a poltergeist. It is rumoured that a past occupant used to take up a cup of tea to the room the ghost inhabited to quieten him down! Not far from Lagg, at the deserted house of Corrynahera, several people claim to have seen a face at the window on passing by. The ghost of a young lady was reportedly seen in Corran house by a doctor who was staying there. It is known that a young girl drowned whilst crossing the Corran river many years ago. A very reputable witness watched a strange creature swimming off Jura for several minutes back in the 1960s or 70s. His account was published in a book about Scottish sea monsters. Don’t forget to visit www.isleofjuragifts.com where you can find books featuring more interesting stories about Jura’s past. Until next time, Slainte David