The Jura Passenger Ferry started its summer timetable on Thursday 5 April 2012. The service runs between Craighouse on the Isle of Jura and Tayvallich on the west coast of mainland Argyll. Transport Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council are funding the service following a surge of public support for the Ferry when full funding wasn’t available last year. The Ferry runs every day except Wednesday until 24 September this year, starting again in spring 2013.

Visitors to the island this summer, including those coming to this weekend’s story-telling festival Tip of the Tongue, and the Isle of Jura Music Festival in September, can arrive at the heart of the island in less than an hour, under half the time other routes take.

As well as making Jura easily accessible from the mainland in under an hour the service allows islanders to make day visits to Lochgilphead, Oban and Glasgow, for business, social and hospital visits.

A day visit from the mainland gives around 7 hours on Jura. With heritage sites from the Mesolithic onward, the Isle of Jura Distillery, a choice of places to eat and our pub all just a short hop from the arrival point in Craighouse the time is likely to fly by. For the energetic it is more than enough time to bag a Pap or two or three.

Transport Minister, Keith Brown announcing the funding said “Jura is one of the gems of our many wonderful islands, and we are delighted to help with the necessary support which will ensure local communities continue to feel all of the benefits that increased tourism and footfall on the island will bring.”

The Ferry service is run by Jura Development Trust and operated by Nicol MacKinnon, to book just call 07768 450000. You can find the timetable at www.jurapassengerferry.com