2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the Jura Music Festival – where famous bands, talented locals, fun ceilidhs and incredible scenery come together for a classically Scottish weekend of music.
The Isle of Jura is one of the most spectacular islands of the Inner Hebrides. Wild and mountainous, it is well known for being the hideout of George Orwell, roaming deer and its famous whisky distillery. But come September, this peaceful island comes alive as visitors arrive for one of the most popular music festivals in Scotland.
With Papa Shandy & the Drams and The Laurettes set to take to the stage, this year’s Jura Music Festival is set to be the highlight of the autumn calendar.
The West Highlands and Islands Music Scene
The West Highlands and Islands prides itself as a destination for music enthusiasts and boasts homegrown talent including Capercaillie, Skerryvore and Skipinnish as well as an abundance of festivals throughout the year.
The Jura Music Festival is one of the final events, following a summer of family fun celebrations at the Mull Music Festival, Feis Ile, Tiree Music Festival and more.
The Jura Music Festival
27th – 29th September 2024
Jura is a small island with huge talent. Music is hugely important – a part of the islands culture that has been lovingly cherished from generation to generation. And so, in 1994 the Jura Music Festival was born to celebrate the islands love of music and to showcase the plethora of local talent. It has grown in these last 30 years from a one-day event with handwritten posters to one of the most popular festivals in Scotland.
In 2010, they featured a “cat cam” which was attached to Elvis, a friendly feline who called the local distillery home. Not only could festival goers delight as he wandered around the event, but followers at home could login and explore the festival with him in real time.
The Line-up
This year’s Jura Music Festival features a wonderful line-up of some of Scotland’s top-rated bands.
The Laurettes, a female Scottish duo who have been described as “Powerful Indie Folk Fusion band with a Celtic Rock twist”. Face the West, an electro-celtic band from Stornoway. Project Smok, an award winning progressive Scottish traditional band as well as ceilidhs, workshops and performances from Saltire Street Band; a New Orleans inspired contemporary brass band.
Inspiring the Future Generation
The Jura Music Festival’s Organising Committee is a charitable organization who, as well as organizing an excellent annual festival, are committed to their youth education programme.
Their main aim is to provide opportunities for young people to learn and improve their musical talents and they are proud to help local budding musicians with a small annual grant to allow them to follow their musical dreams.
In the last 30 years, they have helped a plethora of musicians who still live on the island and who you may just get to see perform during the festival.
How to get to the Jura Music Festival
Orwell once called the rugged Isle of Jura “an extremely un-get-atable place”. These days, with the help of The Jura Passenger Ferry, it can be accessed in just under an hour from the mainland. Departing from Tayvallich (a small village on the west coast) you can hop aboard the catamaran for a scenic journey to the island and even spot some wildlife along the way! Extra services are available over the festival weekend, but advanced booking is essential.
If you’re looking to make the most of your visit and really explore the island, why not consider taking your car? You can join the CalMac ferry from the mainland at Kennacraig, southwest of Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula, where it will depart towards Port Ellen on Islay. From there you can drive north of the island and take a final ferry from Port Askaig across to Jura.
Where to stay
After a day of soaking in the festival and (taking part in one of the many exuberant ceilidhs) you’ll need somewhere to rest and recharge.
The charming Jura Hotel is family run and includes a restaurant, bar and beer garden to enjoy with locals and visitors alike. An abundance of B&B’s and self-catering accommodation is also available on the island.
For those looking for something a bit more outdoorsy, camping facilities are available at the Jura Hotel, where they also have shower facilities. Or you may want to opt for the full wilderness experience with wild camping – but please familiarize yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before visiting!
Visiting the Isle of Jura
Jura is a remote Scottish island off the west coast that has a higher population of wild roaming deer (over 5,000) than people (just over 200), one village and one road. Despite being just an hour from the mainland, Jura is wild Scotland at its best – and the music festival is the perfect time to explore its beauty.
The 30-mile long, and seven-mile wide, island is the eighth largest in the Inner Hebrides, and only has a population of 212 locals.
A large part of the island is uninhabited, some parts only accessible by foot. Which is what drew George Orwell here, looking to escape London for some peace and quiet to write his controversial masterpiece “1984”.
September is a lovely time to visit the island during the festival – as you party your way through Autumn’s shorter days and (hopefully!) warm evenings.
Make the most of your visit with our top picks of things to do on Jura…
Whisky Distillery Tour
It has one of the smallest whisky distilleries in the world – The Jura Distillery. Dating back to 1810, it fell to ruin before it was rebuilt in 1963 and has been serving locals, and the rest of the world ever since.
The popular daily tour offers guests a behind-the-scenes look of the facilities. For whisky fanatics, you can also book a place on their exclusive tour which provides you with the chance to taste limited released whisky directly from one of the oldest casks.
Wildlife Spotting
Wildlife is plentiful on Jura as species in the air, land and sea thrive in the islands natural habitats.
With thousands of red deer inhabiting the island, you won’t have to look too far to see one of these majestic creatures. Synonymous with Scotland, they are Britain’s largest land mammals, and it is said that the island got its name from the Norse word for “deer”.
Living alongside the huge population of deer are wild goats – it is thought that around 500 of them call Jura home and can often be seen running along the shoreline in search of seaweed.
Jura is a birdwatchers paradise, with over 100 species to discover. Look to the skies for a glimpse at Golden and Sea Eagles, Buzzards and Owls, and on the west side of the island, sea birds such as Oystercatchers and Guillemots.
In the sea, otters, seals and dolphins delight visitors in the island’s serene bays.
Lussa Gin Distillery Tour
A scenic drive to the north of the island will bring you to Lussa Gin – a small distillery producing gin with local botanicals to capture the spirit and wilderness of the Isle of Jura.
They offer unmissable group and private tours where you can meet the owners and learn all about this unique gin that is produced and bottled on the island, before it is shipped off to be enjoyed all around the world.
Hillwalking
The Paps of Jura, one of the most iconic landmarks on the island, calls upon experienced hillwalkers to explore its challenging peaks.
Towering over the island, these three cone-shaped mountains can be seen for miles around – and even from our hotel on a clear day! Beinn an Oir, the “Mountain of Gold” stands tallest at 2575 ft. Beinn Shiantaidh, the “Holy Mountain” is 2477 ft and the smallest of the trio, Beinn a’ Chaolais, the “Mountain of the Kyle” is 2407 ft.
There is no set route, and it takes around 9-10 hours to complete all three, so experience is necessary. Although challenging, you will be rewarded with the most spectacular views.
Loch Melfort Hotel
Loch Melfort Hotel is ideally located as a relaxing way to start and finish your weekend at the Jura Music Festival. We are situated on the west coast by Oban, just a 40-minute drive away from Tayvallich where you can jump on The Jura Passenger Ferry for the short ride across to the island.
Join us at our award-winning 4-star country hotel and, on a clear day, you can even sneak a peek across to the beautiful Isle of Jura.