Small Stone Pier - Craighouse
2 projects are proposed which will increase use of the small stone pier in Craighouse The JDT continue to pursue the moorings and pontoon project and IatE continue trying to secure a passenger ferry service. Both these projects will involve inviting users onto the pier. To this end, Ardfin Estate has offered to transfer ownership of the pier to the community through the Jura Development Trust. The Trust has received a grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to facilitate the transfer and both parties lawyers are currently working on the transfer. The Jura Development Trust will now be responsible for the pier and will have to raise the necessary insurance cover along with operation and maintenance costs.
Initiative at the Edge (IatE)
As with most projects, work on the Passenger Ferry has been a series of ups and downs. The real down was the rejection by Hi trans in January 2007 of our application for a subsidy. However encouraged by strong support from the community and considerable help from Argyll & Bute Council we pressed on and were able to run a feasibility trial in September 2007. This showed that the ferry was technically feasible, that it could link into the local and national bus network and, with over 200 passengers carried in just 3 weeks, showed that it could be financially viable. Our ambition now is to get a service running this year.

Work continued on the car park and we worked closely with other voluntary groups on the island to produce a Community Plan for Jura. Our regular beach cleans proved a great success, resulting in both clean beaches and funds for distribution to local good causes. Our status as an Initiative at the Edge area until April 2009 has now been confirmed and we look forward to making progress to meet the objectives of the Jura Community Plan.
Renewable Energy
The three islands network have continued to try and identify a site for a wind project on Islay but are now reduced to only three potential sites. We are looking to see if any sites exist on Jura but expect at best these to be very limited. HICEC continue to offer encouragement and financial support but we lack the resource to take potential hydro and biomass projects forward

Marquee
Due to many generous donations from local community groups and private donations from both on and off the island we were able to purchase a new marquee and trailer for the community.
Unfortunately, due to a design fault the marquee had to be returned to the manufacturers for repair so it missed its anticipated debut at the Music Festival; however we hope to get it up for a trial run at the earliest occasion in the spring. In addition we have just received confirmation of a grant from DIAGEO to help purchase some other items for the marquee including a generator and lights!
Thank you to all who donated towards this project and to the volunteers who have been involved in the project.
Japanese Knotweed and Mink
A number of local estates on the island have been experiencing difficulties with mink. SNH – Scottish Natural Heritage, through the Development Trust, were able to provide grant assistance for a project to eradicate mink along with Japanese Knotweed which are two of the top five nuisance species in Scotland. Louise Gregory, local SNH officer for Islay and Jura provided assistance in putting together a successful application allowing the Trust to purchase mink traps and a package for spraying the JKW. The estates have been keeping records of the mink trapped and we hope to see some improvement in the decline of JKW in the next growing season.
Jura Service Point
The Service Point continues to be well used by both locals and visitors to the island.
Internet use has increased this year – largely thanks no doubt to the Broadband connection. Internet use continues to be free to non business users.
We have a new passport camera and passport photographs can be taken during Service Point opening hours - 10am and 1pm Monday – Friday.
Deirdre Forsyth retired this year as our line manager and Alison Younger replaced her. Alison has visited the Service Point to offer her help and assistance in any way she can. We continue to be grateful for the role the Service Point fills for the community.

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