Hello again. This issue of the Laird of Isle of Jura Newsletter brings you news about some new houses being built on the Isle of Jura along with a new ambulance, Arthur retires (who is Arthur? read on!) and the mysterious missing Jura Skull and bones.

News for March/April 2005

Isle of Jura Gifts

Isle of Jura Gifts is now online. We have a wide selection of books and gifts from the island and hope to expand our range shortly. Find us at www.isleofjuragifts.com

New houses on Isle of Jura

It is amazing the number of new houses that have been built, are being built or are planned to be built in such a small community ( Population about 170). At last count there are about 20 with over 50% of them being used or planned to be used as permanent residencies. It is also good to see the number of younger folk who are involved in this building frenzy. Don’t worry, though. In no way can this be seen as over development on such a sparsely populated island!

New ambulance for the Isle of Jura

The Isle of Jura is to get its own island based ambulance through the Scottish Community Ambulance Initiative. Support has come from all areas with free ferry travel being supplied by the ferry companies and a years supply of fuel donated by a local distributor. All that remains to be done is to train the volunteer crew in time for the ambulances arrival.

Arthur retires

After 36 years of plying the sound between Isle of Jura and Islay on the ferry, Arthur has finally hung up his skippers cap. He will be sorely missed and a party was held for him in the village hall in March.

The Lairds View

I will be back on Isle of Jura again at the end of the month visiting relatives and hopefully catching a trout or 2! Surely the weather will cooperate this time and I will get some nice pictures for the web site and newsletters.

The picnic table will be put into place and the bracken cut back so that any of you visiting Lairds or Ladies can fully enjoy the fine views.

I would be interested to here from anyone planning to visit this summer. Don’t forget to quote your 10% discount voucher if you are booking into the hotel!

Stories from Isle of Jura

For many years a skull and 2 limb bones sat on a rock protected by an overhang near the shore at Glengarrisdale on the west coast of the Isle of Jura. It is believed they were turned up when ploughing and could have belonged to the victim of a long ago massacre, as the skull had a slash in it which could have been made by a sword. Sadly they are no longer there.

Next time I will report on the annual Fell race and hopefully have these promised pictures!

Slainte David