Exciting news as Jura establishes independent tourism marketing and embraces a bright future for island hospitality

The new year brings significant developments for tourism on Jura. Following a community meeting in December with Councillor Dougie McFadzean – attended by island businesses, Jura Community Council, and Jura Development Trust – we’re establishing our own independent tourism organisation to market and promote our remarkable island.

A Community Decision

Over 40 tourism businesses and services across Jura are now working together under our island’s own destination marketing banner. From accommodation providers and activity operators to our distilleries, working estates, hospitality venues, artists, and makers – we’re building something that reflects Jura’s unique character and serves our community’s vision for sustainable tourism.

The initiative has strong community backing from Jura Community Council, Jura Development Trust, island businesses, and local councillors – along with partnership support from VisitScotland and AITC. It’s a collaborative effort that reflects both community priorities and regional tourism cooperation.

What Independent Tourism Development Means

Having our own tourism identity means we can:

• Market Jura authentically – Promoting what makes our island special, from wildlife and wilderness to whisky heritage and warm welcome
• Pursue appropriate opportunities – Accessing funding and partnerships suited to our island’s scale and priorities
• Build direct relationships – Working with VisitScotland, Argyll & Bute Council, Wild About Argyll, Holiday West Highland, and regional partners
• Keep community at the heart – Ensuring tourism development benefits residents and visitors alike, protecting what we value while sharing what we love

The Groundwork Is Already Done

The good news? Much of this work is already underway. This website – isleofjura.scot – has been quietly building Jura’s online presence for the past year, and now receives over 4,500 visits monthly from people planning trips to our island.

We’ve established partnerships with key players including Wild About Argyll (whose excellent regional marketing reaches 80,000+ visitors), Holiday West Highland magazine (distributed across ferry routes and accommodation), and direct links from VisitScotland’s Jura pages.

The infrastructure works. Now we’re formalising the organisation behind it.

Structure and Partnerships

We’re establishing the tourism group as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in early 2026. This structure provides proper governance, transparent reporting, and community accountability while keeping our focus where it belongs – on Jura’s benefit.

Key partnerships in place:

✅ Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC) – We’ve joined this influential regional body, and AITC CEO Cathy Craig will visit Jura in February to meet with businesses and discuss collaboration opportunities.

✅ Argyll & Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) – Supporting our CIC setup and ensuring we’re structured properly from the start.

✅ VisitScotland – Regional Director David Adams McGilp has offered ongoing support and strategic advice as we develop.

✅ Argyll & Bute Council – Councillor Dougie McFadzean champions Jura’s tourism development and has committed to helping however he can.

What Comes Next

Immediate priorities for 2026:

Tourism Steering Group – We’re forming a representative group to guide development, ensuring different sectors across the island have voice and input. Interested in being involved? Get in touch.

AITC Visit (February) – Cathy Craig’s face-to-face meeting with Jura businesses will help shape how we work together regionally and what support AITC can provide.

AITC Tourism Summit (19 March, Dunoon) – We strongly encourage Jura tourism businesses to attend this important regional gathering. Network, learn, represent our island. Book here.

Professional Marketing Capacity – We’re exploring funding options to develop high-quality photography, marketing materials, and visitor resources that showcase Jura professionally.

Community Engagement – Your input matters. How should tourism development serve Jura? What concerns or opportunities do you see? We want to hear from everyone – businesses and residents alike.

Please join our Jura Tourism Group on Facebook to stay up to date.  www.facebook.com/groups/juratourismgroup/

How You Can Support This Work

Tourism marketing requires resources. While we’ve built isleofjura.scot through volunteer effort and personal investment, growing our professional capacity needs community support.

We’re establishing a community fundraising initiative where businesses and individuals can contribute to Jura’s tourism development:

For Tourism Businesses:

Voluntary annual contributions:

🌱 £50/year (small businesses)
🌿 £100/year (established)
🌳 £250+ (larger operations)

Suggested turnover guide:

• £50/year: <£25k turnover
• £100/year: £25-100k turnover
• £250+/year: £100k+ turnover

You can make a bank transfer directly to Jura Development Trust ref. Jura Tourism Project.  Please let us know who to invoice and we’ll get that to you.

Account name: Isle of Jura Development Trust
Account number: 00119659
Sort code: 83-16-20

For Everyone:

Any amount welcome – every contribution helps fund:

• Professional photography and video content
• Marketing campaigns and promotional materials
• Visitor information resources
• Partnership memberships (like AITC)
• Website improvements and digital marketing

All funds:
✅ Go to Jura Development Trust (marked “Jura Tourism Project”)
✅ Ring-fenced exclusively for tourism development
✅ Used for tangible assets and marketing (NOT wages/admin)
✅ Transparently reported in JDT annual accounts
✅ Entirely voluntary – free business listings regardless of contribution

Learn more about the Tourism Project →
Where to contribute →

A Vision for Jura Tourism

This is an opportunity to shape tourism on our terms:

• Balancing visitor welcome with community wellbeing
• Protecting our environment while sharing its extraordinary beauty
• Ensuring tourism development serves Jura’s future, not just visitor numbers
• Maintaining what makes Jura special – authenticity, wilderness, genuine island life

We’re not trying to be the next Instagram hotspot. We’re showcasing what Jura genuinely offers: space, nature, whisky heritage, craft businesses, warm hospitality, and the rare experience of a real Scottish island still living its own life.

Get Involved {#get-involved}

Tourism businesses:
Join the steering group, share your expertise, list your business (free), participate in collaborative marketing.
Email: info@isleofjura.scot
Jura Tourism Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/juratourismgroup/

Community members:
Share your thoughts on how tourism can benefit everyone, what concerns you, what opportunities you see.
Email: info@isleofjura.scot
In person: Speak to any JDT director or JCC member

Everyone:
Follow our progress, spread the word, support if you can.
Visit: Tourism Project page

Please share our Digital Visitor Guide with your guests, friends and family

2026 is Jura’s year to build something remarkable. With community backing, collaborative spirit, and genuine passion for our island, we can create tourism development that works for everyone.

Watch this space – exciting things ahead! 🌊

– The isleofjura.scot team