JURA is the name of one of the Hebrides, or Western Islands of Scotland, which lies to the north-east of the island of Islay. It is about 26 English miles long, and in some parts eight miles broad, but its average breadth is only about four and a half miles. Hence it contains about 117 square miles, or 58,500 Scotch, or 74,888 English acres.
Jura is principally composed of large rugged crags. The ridges of mountains occupy the middle of the island, ex tending along its whole length,and rising higher and higher to the south-west, till they terminate in four similar peak ed mountains, called the Paps of Jura, two of which stand close to each other on the western part of the island, and are seen at a great distance. The highest of these peaks, called Beinn an oir, or the golden mountain," rises 2340 feet above the level of the sea, according to Dr. Walker. According to Sir Joseph Banks, the second highest, or Beinn Shianta, the enchanted mountain," is 2420 feet high, and it is 60 feet lower than the former. The other two, which are much lower, are called Beinn a chaolais, the near the land," and Corro-bheinn, or '• the rug ged mountain." Beinn-an-oir is composed of large stones, covered with mosses at its base, while the stones above are bare and unconnected, so as to give it the appearance of a great cairn. The prospect from the summit is grand and extensive, and has been fully described by Pennant and by Mr. Macdonald. The Isle of the Isle of Sky are seen at the same time, though the distance is about 220 miles.
To the north of Jura, in the sound between it and Scar ba, lies the famous whirlpool of Corrybhreaccain, from Bhreaccain, a son of the king of Denmark, who perished amid its waves. The straight is about a mile broad, and
the whirlpool is on the Scarba side. When the flood has entered the sound, the sea appears in great commotion at the place of the whirlpool. It boils and foams, and rolls away in successive whirls. At the fourth hour of the flood, the commotion reaches its maximum, and throws up, with dreadful ebullitions, every thing from the bottom. The roar of the waves is often heard at the distance of six or Seven miles. At this time it is generally fatal to approach the gull; but from the middle of the fifth hour to the sixth of the flood, and in neap tides from the fourth till the sixth, the commotion gradually subsides, and the smallest boat may pass in safety. After the return of the ebb, however, the same phenomena are repeated, increasing and diminish ing at corresponding times, till the commotions again subside at the approach of the lowest ebb.
The only village on the island is called Jura. It is si tuated on the east coast, and is inhabited by fishermen. There is a safe harbour, called the Harhour of the small Isles, within six miles of the Sound of Islay ; and several miles to the northward, there is a roadstead called Low lanclman's Bay.
Jura contains several barrows and castellx ; and near the Harbour of the small Isles is a considerable encampment, with a triple line of defence, and regular bastions towards the land. The population or Jura in 1811 was 1157. See Pennant's Tour to the Hebrides ; NIaedanald's Account of the Hebrides ; and Jameson's Mineralogy of the Scottish Isles.