These two anchorages are connected by a pleasant 30-minute stroll. From the slipway and pier at Ardlussa Bay walk up through the grounds of Ardlussa House (Victorian) with its wonderful meadow leading down to the sea. Of the seven estates on Jura this is the only one where the owners live all the year round. Hooray for the Fletchers! Estate owners who actually care about and contribute to the island (the owner of the Ardfin Estate and Jura House closed the gardens to the public, sold the cattle and laid off the man who looked after them who then lost his home and had to move to the mainland). The Fletchers used to edit the monthly 'Jura Jottings' and they do very good dinner (BYOB), bed and breakfast, and self-catering. In 2016 Claire Fletcher and a couple of friends started making Lussa Gin, available in the village shop and then all over Scotland and beyond, 7000 bottles a year and counting!
Then walk on through the early 19th century farm buildings, fork left, along the road through lovely deciduous trees and on towards Inverlussa and Lussa bay, the end of the road where the few cottages were built for the workers at the unsuccessful slate quarry. Shortly before getting there you pass a small burial ground where you will find the tombstone of Mary MacCrain, died 1856 at the age of 128, so it says. And surprise, surprise by the beach there is a table with a walkie-talkie to summon tea and homemade cakes — and a sign: 'Tea on the Beach'. Excellent lemon drizzle cake too! Long may this facility survive. But maybe not available every day at the moment, so best to phone ahead 01496 820053 (if you can get a signal). And I am not sure if it still exists. The beach itself is fine, but as so often in Jura it is rather grey sand.
