I slay is internationally famous for its birdlife, especially the rare chough, twite and corncrake. The moorlands hold birds of prey such as golden eagle, hen harrier, merlin, peregrine and short-eared owl. Both freshwater and sea lochs are the haunt of rare waders, geese, gannet, eider ducks and shag, while the ferry crossings may provide sightings of puffins, guillemots, divers, shearwaters, petrels and a chance of seeing whales or dolphins. Common and Atlantic grey seals can be seen along the coast and we may spot otters.The vegetation, too, is varied with coastal machair grasslands, woodland on the limestone, and peat bog - so important for malt whisky - on the poorer areas. Jura, by contrast, is one of the wildest of the Hebridean islands, with its west coast in particular being trackless and unspoilt. Abruptly changing and dramatic seascapes give way to a boggy interior inhabited by elusive red deer and soaring eagles.We will stay at the attractive 17th century Port Askaig Hotel on the shores of the Sound of Islay, where the Port Bar dates from the 16th century and carries a wide selection of Islay Malts and beers. This family-run highland inn offers easy access to Jura, Colonsay and the mainland.
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