They were joined by farmer, distiller and architect Delme’ Evans. They thought about reopening the distillery to see if new people could be attracted to the island. In the 1950’s Robin Fletcher owner of Ardlussa Estate and Riley-Smith owner of Jura House and Ardfin Estate got together to see how they could solve a foreseeable jobs crisis on the island. It seemed as if whisky making on Jura had come to a permanent end. The roofs were later removed to avoid paying rates and the distillery became a ruin. In the early 1900’s the Fergusons seem to have been in dispute with the then Laird Colin Campbell and decided to quit the Jura distillery, dismantling and selling the machinery, which they had installed. It was leased to James Ferguson in 1875 and rebuilt in 1884 when it was producing 65,000 gallons per year.

The distillery was let out to many people over the years. The whisky produced then was a characteristic peaty malt whisky – not at all like the present day product.

Laird Archibald Campbell built the distillery in the early 1800’s near a cave where illegal distilling had been carried on possibly from the 1600’s.

More information Isle of Jura Superstition 1 Liter (Jura) Whisky