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Isle of Jura

Barnhill

The remote farmhouse in the north of Jura where George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four, seen from the track.

Welcome

Barnhill is the farmhouse in the far north of Jura where George Orwell lived from 1946 and wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four.

It was hard to reach then, and it still is. Cars stop at the road end beyond Lealt, and from there it is four miles on foot along the same track Orwell used, about an hour and a half each way. The house comes into view from the track as you walk north. It is a private home and visitors cannot go up to it, so look from the track and leave it in peace. Strong walkers carry on to Kinuachdrachd, a mile further, and then to the Gulf of Corryvreckan at the island's tip.

Round the cornerCorryvreckan WhirlpoolA tidal whirlpool in the gulf between Jura and Scarba, reached by a seven-mile walk from the road end or by boat.1 min by roadSee itCorryvreckan Whirlpool
Before you go

There is nothing on the way: no shop, no shelter, no toilets.

Carry what you need, and keep to the track past the house.

Getting there
By Islay and the ferry from Port Askaig to Feolin, or in summer the passenger ferry from Tayvallich to Craighouse.
Start
The road end, about half a mile beyond Lealt.
Walk
Four miles each way on a rough track, about an hour and a half.
The house
Private. Seen from the track only.
Where it is

In the far north of Jura, beyond the road end.

Close byThe rest of Jura, near at hand.
  1. Lussa GinLussa GinA small gin distillery in the stables at Ardlussa in the north of Jura, making gin from botanicals grown and gathered on the island.7 miles29 min by road
  2. InverlussaInverlussaA hamlet by a sandy bay at the mouth of the Lussa River in the north-east of Jura, with tea on the beach in summer.9 miles33 min by road
  3. Loch TarbertLoch TarbertThe long sea loch that almost cuts Jura in two, reaching into the island's wild west coast.13 miles39 min by road
Directions
AttractionsCorryvreckan WhirlpoolA step away
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the house, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of the whitewashed cottage in low evening sun, its blue doors, lit lamps and teak chairs, smoke rising from the chimney.Fern Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Croggan
  • 19 miles from the road end
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on JuraAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

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Find out more

For further reading, before you go.