Last weekend the garden was open for the first time and it will be open again on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th June from 1-4pm. The house has just over an acre of walled garden cultivated by three generations, an orchard and several atmospheric woodland walks looking out to sea. Cream teas will be served dependent on weather and donations will be asked for on the day.

With a predominantly southerly aspect, over 10 miles of coastline and a climate that is cushioned by the Gulf Stream, Ardfin extends to about 11,595 acres and is an estate which is described by the inhabitants of Jura as the most significant on the island. Occupying the majority of the southern part of the island, and rising to an elevation of over 1,500 feet above sea level, the views from most parts of the estate to nearby Islay, the Mull of Kintyre and (on a clear day) Northern Ireland are one of its outstanding features.”

The nice thing about a sale is that you get a good overview of the estate including detailed information of Jura House and the other outbuildings which is otherwise not so easy to get. The PDF brochure shows some nice interior images of Jura House including floorplans and some really nice images.

Views from the Ardfin Estate

One of the interesting features of the sale is that there it includes seven uninhabited islands: “Each of these is uninhabited with the exception of Castle Island, south of Ardfin Farm, which includes the ruined remains of Claig Castle – a one time stronghold of Clan MacDonald. There are no manmade structures or development of the islands. Off the east coast of the estate, and situated in the bay which faces the settlements of Craighouse and Keils, are four small islands, the English names of which are Flat Island, Rabbit Island, Little Rabbit Island and Goat Island. Lying off the southern coast of the estate on the edge of the Sound of Islay are three more islands called Brosdale, Castle and Green Islands. With no more practical use than being a very pleasant place for a picnic and for grazing by deer, which periodically swim out to them, the islands are a haven for nesting sea and shoreline birds including oyster catchers, ringed plovers, eider and shellduck, and various species of gull. Common seals and otters are also a frequent sight on and around these islands.”

For more information check out this link or read all about the estate in the PDF brochure

Crofting communities on Jura were in decline for many years, with steady depopulation of the crofting townships of Knockrome and Keills. Ardfin estate manager Willie MacDonald told Ratter that when he initially arrived on Jura the population of the island had been around 250, but that there had been a steady decline to a low of 165. There has however been a resurgence in recent years – the population is back up to slightly over 200 and Willie looks forward to the day when it is back up to 250 again. Ratter sees ‘getting bums in beds’ as a central aim of the Crofters Commission saying: ‘The Crofters Commission has a responsibility to ensure the best possible occupancy of crofts. It is the Commission’s role to provide the help and support needed to make that happen, but also to work on solving abuses of the crofting system, particularly absenteeism and/or neglect.’

Local area Commissioner Cllr Robin Currie said that the creation of two crofts near Port Charlotte on Islay had been a success, and that he was hoping that more new crofts could be created on Islay. Asked why landowners would wish to allow crofts to be created on their land he replied: ‘There are a number of significant benefits that can accrue from creating crofting communities. There is the obvious financial incentive – crofts have a value and incoming tenants expect to pay a significant sum prior to entry. The ongoing annual rents are usually relatively modest, but there can be significant planning gains for an area that follows the creation of crofts, via non-crofting housing for example.’

Other aspects of modern crofting which can reassure landlords include the fact that it is now possible for landowners to opt out of the ‘right to buy’ and ‘rights of assignment’ which can protect their long term interests. ‘The most significant
benefit however’, says Ratter, ‘is the desire of a landowner to do the right thing for the community. You are fortunate on Islay and Jura in having some very progressive landowners who want to do something positive, to really make a contribution
to the lives of people. This has been the main motivation of the Riley-Smiths of Ardfin on Jura, and look at this remarkable new abattoir built by Dunlossit Estate here on Islay. I would venture to suggest that community benefit has been a significant driver in the decision making process that built this fantastic new facility… It is projects like this that really demonstrate a landlord’s commitment – and it is to be commended. When you see projects like this coming to fruition you realise that crofting has a great future in these parts.’

This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.

The Crofters Commission has approved the proposal by Ardfin Estate to create six new crofts on the Island of Jura. Drew Ratter, Chairman of the Commission, said, ‘This is just what the island needs, to build on its regeneration. These will be the first new crofts to be created on the island under the Crofting Reform Act, and it’s heartening to see such a positive outcome with six crofts extending to 2.70 hectares each being created to encourage young people to stay on the island.’ The new crofts will be located within walking distance of Craighouse, Jura’s main village. The landlord, Ardfin Estate, intends to impose the exclusion of the ‘right to buy’ option from the croft’s tenancy agreements. There are nine houses on Ardfin Estate, but none on the new croft land. Access to the new crofts will be directly from the main road. The crofts will have access to water and power supplies via connection to the main lines and pipes running into Craighouse. There will be no Common Grazing land for the new crofts.From the date the Commission issue their decision, there is a 42 day period for appeals to the Land Court. The next step will be for the Landlord/Estate to advertise and to select tenants to propose to the Commission for each croft.

Factor for the Ardfin Estate, William MacDonald, said: ‘Jura has over the last few years has seen the population on the island rise to over 200 from 175. Ardfin Estate wants to build on this success by creating six new crofts, providing opportunities for young people to have accommodation and establish new businesses and helping to secure the island for future generations.’ ‘We have already seen several of the older crofters in the township of Knockrome give up parts of their crofts, enabling young people to have ground of their own and to build affordable housing so they can remain on the island. The Estate aims to achieve the same result with the creation of these new crofts’. Area Commissioner, Robin Currie, said, ‘Ardfin Estate is to be congratulated on creating the new crofts on Jura. I see the creation of those crofts as being a major catalyst in retaining and attracting young families to Jura. This in turn will benefit the local services and boost the economically active population of Jura, which are the primary aims of the Initiative at the Edge partnership which operates on the island.’