Category Archives: Jura Excursion

A picture from an excursion to Islay’s neighbour Jura

Standing wave at the Corryvreckan Whirlpool

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Picture of a standing wave at a whirlpool caused by tidal streamsBefore we set off for the Islay walking week excursion to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool at the northern end of Jura I had deliberately set my expectations low, knowing that the conditions would unlikely be right for a great display. Just having see the location and may be a few currents would be great. However, when we arrived we were positively surprised:

While by no means in full actions we got to see standing waves several times as the tidal current was rushing through the Gulf of Corryvreckan. At times almost the whole gulf seemed to be boiling. We also heard the roar of the standing wave, a fascinating sound on an otherwise calm and quiet day. The picture doesn’t really do it justice, but I hope it at least gives an idea of the scene.

Walkers in the north of Jura

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Picture of a group of walkers on a track in a remote landscapeAn impression from the Islay walking week 2015 excursion to the far north of Jura. This is from the early stages of the walk to the Corryvreckan, having left from the road end not long before. We still had about six miles to go at this stage. Note the deer on the hills towards the left.

Walkers at Kinuachdrachd, Isle of Jura

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Picture of walkers at a track near to a sign proclaiming the end of the roadA milestone on the way to the Corryvreckan is Kinuachdrachd, where the ‘road’ ends (it’s only a track and not open to the public from 5 miles before) and the last house on Jura is located. The route the Islay walking week walkers followed continues towards the left, you can just see some more walkers behind the branches of the trees.