JURA, an island on the W. coast of Scotland, one of the inner Hebrides, 5 miles W. of the Mull of Cantire, between N. Lat. 55. 52. and 56. 9., and W. Long. 5. 43. and 6. 8. It is bounded N. by the Gulf of Corrievellan, E. by Jura Sound, S. and S.W. by Islay Sound, and W. by the Atlantic Ocean. The island is 23 miles in length from N.E. to S.W., by 6 miles in average breadth, and contains an area of about 156 square miles. A chain of rugged hills traverses its whole extent, interrupted only by Tarbert Loch, an arm of the sea, which stretches into the island for about 6 miles, nearly separating it into parts. Jura differs much in aspect from its sister isle, Islay, although belonging to the same geological formation. The soil is inferior and the minerals unimportant. Some good slate is quarried, and a very fine sand found on the western shore is used for making glass. Here, oats, turnips, and potatoes form the chief crops, the first being raised for the distilleries here and in Islay. Jura belongs to the parish of Jura and Colonsay. In 1851 there were 200 inhabited houses, and a population of 1064. See HEBRIDES.