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A white lighthouse on its rock in a rough Sound of Jura.
Isle of Jura

Skervuile Lighthouse

A white Stevenson lighthouse of 1865 on a reef in the Sound of Jura, seen from the road north of Craighouse.

Welcome

Skervuile Lighthouse stands by itself on a rocky reef far out in the Sound of Jura, a white stone tower with a black lantern and nothing around it but water.

It was built in 1865 by the engineers David and Thomas Stevenson, south-east of the entrance to Lowlandman's Bay, and has run without keepers since 1945. Its light flashes white every fifteen seconds and carries nine nautical miles. It cannot be visited. From the island's road north of Craighouse it appears and disappears between the headlands, small and bright against the mainland hills on the far shore, and on a rough day the sea breaks white around its foot.

A short drive awayBothan Jura Wild SaunaA wood-fired sauna in a converted horsebox that moves round Jura's shore, with the sea to cool off in.9 min by roadSee itBothan Jura Wild Sauna
Before you go

The lighthouse is out at sea and is looked at from the shore.

Stop only where there is room to pull off the single-track road, and bring binoculars.

Getting there
By Islay and the ferry from Port Askaig to Feolin, or in summer the passenger ferry from Tayvallich to Craighouse.
Where
On a reef in the Sound of Jura, south-east of Lowlandman's Bay.
Seeing it
From the road north of Craighouse. It cannot be visited.
Where it is

In the Sound of Jura, off the east coast.

Close byThe rest of Jura, near at hand.
  1. Corran SandsCorran SandsA long sweep of pale sand at the head of Small Isles Bay near Craighouse, sheltered, shallow and under the Paps of Jura.4 miles13 min by road
  2. Orange and black rigid inflatable boat crossing calm water below distant hillsJura Boat ToursSee beautiful Jura from the water with a bespoke boat tour around the coast4 miles13 min by road
  3. CraighouseCraighouseJura's one village, strung along Small Isles Bay, with the distillery, the hotel, the shop and the pier.6 miles16 min by road
  4. Loch TarbertLoch TarbertThe long sea loch that almost cuts Jura in two, reaching into the island's wild west coast.11 miles23 min by road
  5. Paps of JuraPaps of JuraThe three steep quartzite mountains of southern Jura, the highest 785 metres, climbed by rough routes with no fixed path.17 miles39 min by road
Directions
ActivityBothan Jura Wild Sauna2.3 miles
The Paps of Jura over moorland and water.AttractionsIsle of Jura4.2 miles
The Jura Community Shop, a timber building with a red telephone box beside it in Craighouse.ShoppingJura Community Shop6.3 miles
Tables and chairs in the wood-panelled room at the Antlers in Craighouse.ShoppingThe Antlers6.3 miles
The Jura Hotel's restaurant with its tables laid under a painted ceiling.RestaurantsThe Jura Hotel Restaurant6.3 miles
ToursJura Guided6.3 miles
Shelves of Jura whisky bottles in the distillery shop.AttractionsIsle of Jura Distillery6.3 miles
Rows of Deer Island rum bottles with turquoise caps.AttractionsDeer Island Distillery6.4 miles
Tartan and tweed pieces made at Camella Crafts, folded on a table.ShoppingCamella Crafts6.4 miles
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