314 ' FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



Whether Buchanan's derivation of the name Jura, from 

 the Gothic word Deira, a stag, be correct, we do not pretend 

 to say, but certain it is that in none of the Hebrides (in 

 proportion to the extent) are deer to be found in such 

 numbers. This island is about thirty miles in length, and 

 five in breadth, and, with the exception of a few patches 'of 

 arable land on the east coast, consists of one mountainous 

 range extending throughout its whole length. By much 

 the most lofty of this range are the Paps of Jura, which are 

 situated towards the southern end of it. They are four in 

 number, and rise from the sea on the western side, which is 

 rugged and precipitous, and the resort of eagles and birds 

 of prey of all sorts. The form of these hills is perfectly 

 conical, and their elevation so abrupt, that for a considerable 

 way from their tops no verdure is to be seen ; in fact, they 

 consist chiefly of masses of loose stone. Their height is 

 about 2,500 feet above the level of the sea, which washes 

 their base. The view from the top of these hills is very 

 extensive, for, when the atmosphere is clear, the Isle of 

 Man, and the Isle of Skye are both visible. This island is 

 surrounded by strong tides ; on the south is the rapid 

 stream of the Sound of Islay ; and on the north the famous 

 whirlpool of Corrivrechan. The island belongs to two 

 proprietors, Mr. Colin Campbell of Jura, and Captain 

 MacNeill the younger, of Colonsay, whose brother has 

 favoured me with a relation of the mode of deer-coursing 

 practised in Jura, and already recounted in these pages. 

 The stock consists almost entirely of sheep. The number of 

 deer are estimated at about five hundred. They have the 

 whole range of the island, and thus wander from one end 

 of it to the other. As there are but few inhabitants 

 (scarcely a thousand souls), they are seldom disturbed, and 

 have of late years greatly increased. 



From the contiguity of the sea, snow seldom lies for 

 any length of time on these islands ; and as the deer often 

 frequent the shore, and are excessively fond of the sea 

 ware, on which they feed even in summer, they are never 

 altogether deprived of food, and are, consequently, much 

 better able to endure the rigours of winter than those in a 

 more inland situation. 



