Excerpts from issue 48/14 24 April 2021
Jura's new ferry
Nicol MacKinnon has invested in a new, 14.3 metre catamaran with which to operate the Jura Passenger Ferry service between Jura and Tayvallich, commencing 26 April. Currently licensed to carry twelve passengers, it offers maximum stability with comfortable seating and heating inside, and outside with a full covered roof, providing clear visibility to observe wildlife and the beautiful scenery. The boat also features a full size toilet and disabled access throughout, and allows passengers to maintain social distancing while such restrictions remain in place.
jurapassengerferry.com
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In this week's issue:
Islay and Jura re-open for tourism on Monday 26 April, Government advises testing for those intending to travel to the isles, Georgie Crawford moves to Elixir, Plane crash on Jura, Kilarrow House update, The Huge Ball of Wool and other stories, New ferry for Jura, Islay Quilters update, Ardbeg to release Festival Scorch bottling, Perry Green heads to Nerabus, Malcolm Younger examines Islay's deer management, Deer Island Rum, IDI proposes new Isay distillery, Argyll and Bute's four constituency candidates lay out their wares, Tom Hunter's favourite bike ride to Portnahaven
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Jura's Deer Island Rum
Islay is well-known throughout the world for its single malt whiskies, the number of which has seemed to be increasing exponentially of late. And it's not just whisky that has laid claim to fame, with two gins from the west of Islay and the prospect of an Islay rum originating from the old 'Lemonade Factory' in Port Ellen.
However, it's not only Islay that features strongly in the drinks world, with a highly regarded single malt from Jura, and another fine gin from Lussa. And the latter two are about to be joined by 'Deer Island Rum'.
Duirach, Michael Walton and Charlotte Gillett, both see rum as being the next boom in the drinks industry.
Jura born Michael has always had an interest in the spirits industry, especially in rum, while Charlotte owns and has run an accountancy practice for the last ten years, and operated two other businesses during that time too.,br />
She told the Ileach, "I'm always keen for new business challenges. The drinks industry has commercially interested me for a while, and with Michael's love of rum and my love of business, it made sense for us to start a rum company.
"This was back in 2019 and even then we could see that rum was the next up-and-coming spirit. Two years later this is even clearer. Rum really seems to be about to boom like gin did between 2016 and 2018 - so we thought, why not give it a go?"
The first batch of 'Deer Island Rum' and their main base product, 'original recipe', will be a spiced rum, on top of which, they intend to run at least one limited edition batch each year.
Charlotte continued, "Our first batch will be available by the end of this month and we anticipate a second batch being produced in May."
Batch one will be called 'Corran', because the couple currently live at Corran House on Corran Sands alongside Michael's parents. Said Charlotte, "It feels like the only name we could go with."
Of course, the main information most will be eager to learn, is from where can the rum be purchased?
"We have a unit on Jura where we produce the rum and from where we will sell it. We can be found at Unit 3, adjacent to Jura fuel station (in Craighouse). We will also be selling via our website deerisland.co.uk"
Charlotte told us that prospective customers can sign up to a mailing list on the Deer Island website to receive notification of when the rum will be available to purchase.
But it seems that Michael and Charlotte's entrepreneurial spirit doesn't end there. A collaboration with Gemma MacLean at Spirited Soaps has already begun to develop rum scented soap, and Charlotte said that they're also working with Kirsty Richardson at the Island Bake-house on Jura to offer some rum inspired breads and baking.
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Georgie Crawford joins Elixir Distillers
Elixir Distillers, the company behind the proposed new distillery at Farkin, have announced the appointment of Georgie Crawford as distillery manager.
Having been with Diageo for 14 years, more recently as manager for Lagavulin and then the Port Ellen Distillery Revival project, Georgie will join Elixir Distillers this summer, when it is expected that building will begin at the distillery site on Islay's south coast.
Sukhinder Singh, co-founder of Elixir Distillers, said, "Having grown up on Islay, and attended school a stone's throw from our distillery site, Georgie's love for the island and all its distilleries is unrivalled. She not only shares our passion for Islay whisky, but also our vision for the future and I know that she will bring both exceptional expertise and a fresh approach to a new Islay distillery. We're genuinely excited to have her on board as we begin the creation of our distillery."
Georgie Crawford told the Ileach, "I have been friends with Sukhinder and Elixir Distillers' head blender, Oliver Chilton, for a long time and was always keen to hear about their plans for the new distillery build here on Islay. It is an honour to be asked to join their team and to help them take their ideas from plans to reality."
Georgie Crawford's exceptional career in scotch whisky began at The Vaults in Edinburgh, the home of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in 2002, before the likes of Talisker, Glen Ord and Teaninich beckoned. It was Lagavulin and the enviable role as manager that brought Georgie back to Islay and, in 2018, onto the revival of Port Ellen.
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ISLAY & THE COVID-19 VIRUS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Last updated Monday 03 May 2021
Prepared for the benefit of Islay residents, this downloadable PDF file offers general information along with details of the Islay Volunteer Network and the state of play with regard to local businesses and services. Please check this page regularly.
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The Huge Ball of Wool and other stories
We've always known that the folk of Jura are a talented bunch, but we now have a children's author in our midst! Jura resident, Anne McLeod started writing stories for her grandchildren in 2008, but it took her until 2020 to decide to put them into print. Anne said, "Giles had recorded a CD of my stories, but I finally decided to make them into a book for my grandchildren.
"Dr Moray Grigor sent the typed stories out to freelancers for me, to have the stories illustrated, and I selected a girl in India, Evangelin, to help me. She contacted me for details of my grandchildrenÕs hair and eye colour, and their ages when the stories were written, and then produced the illustrations for the book, which was finally completed with the help of Dr. Moray and Miles the publisher. I would like to thank all who have helped me, and those who have already bought the book."
The five stories in the book range from the title chapter, in which Marlou persuades her mother to teach her how to knit with wonderfully surprising results.
In 'The Little Duckling', Flynn is found riding her bike like the clappers to see the baby ducklings, while 'The Dream' brings an invite from the fairy queen for Erin and Eve to join the parade.
In 'The Little Pet', Anna acquires an unlikely pet and 'The Boat Sail' recounts adventures at the seaside.
These stories are well written and a joy to read, accompanied by the superb illustrations of Evangelin Sherly. It's more than well worth the cover price.
Anne's brightly coloured book of charming stories can be bought from Jura Stores, or directly from Anne, who is also happy to send the book out by post. The cost is £9.99 plus postage where necessary. You can contact Anne on 01496 820 225 or 07597 708 045.
Part of this article was first published in Jura Jottings.
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This is Islay
A new monthly podcast featuring individuals, personalities and features of Islay and Jura. Listen now at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay
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Still here
The Ileach, now in its 48th year, has weathered more than just a few economic downturns in its time, local, national and global. However, the current situation is unprecedented in our lifetimes.
We have every intention of continue to produce the newspaper for as long as is practical and possible. And just as in previous times of difficulty, we would appreciate your support in making this happen.
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Stay safe.
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