Thursday 2 June 2005

Islay/Jura 27-30 May

The first 2 photos are taken from Kintyre at NR714507, just along the coast from that famous 2m trig point. I slept by the car in the open on Thursday night, until about 5am when the midges started savaging my face, so I got up and drove back to Kennacraig for the 0700 ferry to Port Ellen. I had planned to do some bagging on Friday, but discovered once on Islay I couldn't be bothered, and thought I'd rather get straight to Jura. The third photo is taken just before crossing to Jura on Friday morning.

Once on Jura, after bumping into Anna Forrest on the road and driving her back for her lost glasses and driving her paniers to the hotel, I at last managed to get my tent up and slept all afternoon, before a packed sociable evening in the hotel. There were 4 guys who'd been marooned there since the boat race the previous weekend.

Saturday for the Isle of Jura Fell Race was of course a complete washout, and they had to insist on the bad weather route which avoided the summits of the 3 Paps. The weather certainly was atrocious for the entire race. Cold, very wet and very windy.

Ironically, Sunday and Monday were both perfect hill days. Bright sunshine, but not too hot. Having thought about leaving on Saturday, I was pleased that my extra 2 days on Jura and Islay turned out worthwhile.
Thursday night on Kintyre - No sign of Jura End of the road Paps of Jura from above Port Askaig on Islay Beinn Shiantaidh and Corra Bheinn Beinn Shiantaidh East coast of Jura Cruach Scarba and Gulf of Corryvreckan Looking south from Cruach na Seilcheig to the Paps Looking towards Cruach Scarba from summit of Cruach na Seilcheig - not real summit though West coast of Jura north of Garrisdale Looking north to Cruach Scarba Looking north to Cruach Scarba Beach on west coast of Jura - Bagh Uamh nan Giall Sea Pink - Armeria maritima Approaching Garrisdale Bothy Approaching Garrisdale Bothy Approaching Garrisdale Bothy Approaching Garrisdale Bothy Approaching Garrisdale Bothy Garrisdale Bothy Looking back to Garrisdale Bothy with Cruach Scarba in the distance Looking back to Garrisdale Bothy with Cruach Scarba in the distance Summit of Ben Garrisdale - not real summit though Ardlussa Bay The Paps from road north of Three Arch Bridge Beinn Shiantaidh from road north of Three Arch Bridge Looking across to Islay from below Jura House The gardens of Jura House The gardens of Jura House The gardens of Jura House Tulips of some sort The gardens of Jura House The gardens of Jura House Looking north to Jura from Sgorr nam Faoileann on Islay Looking north to the Paps of Jura from Sgorr nam Faoileann on Islay Sound of Islay Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay Paps of Jura from Bunnahabhain after bagging Sgarbh Breac

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chris-

many thanks for publishing these beautiful photos. Much appreciated.
There appear to be a couple of dubious descriptions on the Jura set: one that says "from Sgorr nam Faiollean" appears to be from the north of Islay.
And the "summit of Ben Garrisdale" has a trig, so, as I'm sure you know, it isn't the summit!

Chris said...

Pete,
Thanks for looking through the pictures and your comments.
As regards the "summits" of Cruach na Seilcheig and Ben Garrisdale, I've amended the descriptions since neither of these trig points are at the true summit.
I think the Sgorr nam Faoillean captions are correct though. The last 5 photos were all taken from the north of Islay.
Turned out a stunning day both Sunday and Monday, after a complete washout on Saturday for Jura Fell Race.