Islay, Jura and Colonsay are located off the west coast of Kintyre and Knapdale areas of Argyll and the Islands. The local authority for the area is Argyll and Bute Council. The total population is approximately 3,800 with all but 300 or so living on Islay. The main settlement on Islay is Bowmore with a population of around 1,000 while the main settlement on Jura is Craighouse (approximately 160 people). Colonsay's static population of around 100 people is spread throughout a network of little villages/townships, the most prominent being Scalasaig where the ferry terminal is located.
Transport:
Road: Each island has its own road network, the majority of which are single track. On the mainland, Kennacraig in Kintyre is the embarkation point for Islay and Jura, being approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes from Glasgow, following the A83. Colonsay is served through the port of Oban (althrough there is a weekly sailing from Kennacraig in the summer months) which is about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Glasgow following the A82 and A85.
Ferries: The main lifeline ferries to Islay and Colonsay are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and the small fery linking Port Askaig on Islay and Feorlin on the island of Jura is operated on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council.
Air: There is a twice daily air service from Glasgow to Islay which is operated by Loganair on behalf of British Airways and has a flight time of approximately 30 minutes. In addition to scheduled service flights and emergency medical landings Islay Airport also has capacity to take chartered and private aircraft either for the transport of passengers or freight. Further information can be obtained from the operators, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL).
Transport links:
- Caledonian MacBrayne
- Islay ferry services
- Jura ferry service
- Colonsay ferry service
- Islay bus service
- Jura bus service
- Colonsay transport
- Islay-Glasgow air service
Education:
On Islay there is a secondary school at Bowmore offering education up to 6th year. Bowmore High School draws its pupils from primary schools at Port Askaig, Newton, Port Charlotte, Port Ellen, Bowmore and Keills. On Jura, primary children are educated at Craighouse before transferring to Islay for their secondary education. Primary school children on Colonsay are educated at Kilchattan before boarding out at Oban High School for their secondary schooling. Argyll College has a further education learning centre at Bowmore on Islay.
Healthcare Provision:
There is a small hospital on Islay and the islands are served by the new acute hospital in Oban. In addition, arrangements are in place for patients to receive treatment at larger hospitals in the Glasgow area as necessary under the Argyll and Clyde Health Board. On Islay there are medical practices in Bowmore, Kilmeny, Port Ellen and the Rhinns of Islay. There is also a dental practice in Bowmore. On Jura, the island has a doctor based in Craighouse and Colonsay has a resident doctor.
General:
On Islay the main shopping centres are at Bowmore and Port Ellen and most villages also support a local store and post office. Industries include whisky, tourism and recreation, agriculture, fishing and in small pockets, aquaculture. There are a few small shops on Jura and Colonsay providing essential supplies and various tourism related products. The islands are a magnet for those interested in outdoor pursuits such as sailing, golf, canoeing, fishing, stalking, walking, diving and surfing. In the summer there are a number of high profile events such as the Annual Feis, Whisky Festival and Jazz Festival on Islay and the Jura Music Festival and the sailing events of the Three Peaks Race and Tennants Week take place in the area. For a flavour of life on Islay, Jura and Colonsay please click on the links in the right hand panel to access the respective community websites. |