RetreatBothan Jura Retreat
Knockrome, Isle of Jura, PA60 7XZ
Our story · An acre of bog, a ruin, and a lot of years
We built it.
The Isle of Jura, in Scotland's Hebrides, is one of Europe's last great wildernesses, battered by Atlantic storms, warmed by the Gulf Stream, with 250 people, 5,000 deer and one road. Orwell came here to write 1984. Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty came here to burn a million pounds. We came here to reset our lives. Repurposing our skills and experience in communication and exploring things that make us feel alive - cold water, foraging, wild fermentation, creating and making, fresh air, hills, caves and waterfalls - we have spent the years since 2017 reclaiming an acre of bog in the small crofting settlement of Knockrome and building a space for relaxation and for exploration. A place that is now Bothan Jura Retreat.
An acre of bog, and a ruin
In 2017, due to ill health, we were forced to reconsider the way we lived our lives. With great enthusiasm and blissful ignorance we bought an acre of boggy ground with an old ruin.
Draining the land, renovating the cottage
We drained the land and renovated the cottage.
The Universe threw in a pandemic
Lockdowns, homeschooling and a monumental hike in the price of materials. We built, we made mistakes, we learnt, we made more mistakes, we laughed and cried but kept on at it!
A home of our own
Eleven months of building and we moved into our own home.
The huts, then the shed
We designed and built two huts for guests and a communal shed space for retreats - structural insulated panels, four days each.
First guests
The first guests arrived. We have made many friends along the way, some who have stayed and made Jura their home now too.
A retreat, and a community
The retreat space is developing - meditation, yoga and workshops in the shed. We and our two children are privileged to live here among the eagles and seals, the otters and deer and the wonderful community of Jura.
The whole story
In 2017, with two small children, due to ill health we were forced to reconsider the way we lived our lives. We made the decision to put health and time at the forefront for our family. Taking a step away from the corporate world, in search of some calm and stability, and with great enthusiasm and blissful ignorance we ironically stumbled head first into one of the most stressful and complicated periods of our lives! We bought an acre of boggy ground with an old ruin, we drained the land, renovated the cottage, built a home for ourselves, designed and built two huts for guests and a communal shed space for retreats. The Universe threw in a pandemic with lockdowns, homeschooling and a monumental hike in the price of materials! We built, we made mistakes, we learnt, we made more mistakes, we laughed and cried but kept on at it!
It was somewhat relentless but now we've done it! With help. A lot of help! We have made many friends along the way, some who have stayed and made Jura their home now too. We can't thank everyone enough. We and our two children are privileged to live here among the eagles and seals, the otters and deer and the wonderful community of Jura.
Now we hope
you will come.