Things to do in Argyllshire

The Corrievreckan Whirlpool in the Gulf of Corryvreckan between the islands of Jura and Scarba is the third largest whirlpool in the world and one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the Scottish coast, a permanent whirlpool created by the interaction of the tidal streams of the North Atlantic with the irregular seabed topography of the narrow gulf in a turbulence of standing waves, overfalls and rotating water that can be heard several kilometres away in strong conditions and is considered unnavigable even for experienced seamen. The whirlpool is generated by the interaction of the strong tidal streams flowing between the Atlantic and the Firth of Lorne with a submerged pinnacle of rock approximately 29 metres below the surface in the centre of the gulf, around which the water rotates in a vortex of considerable force. At its most active, during spring tides with westerly gales, the surface disturbance can extend across the full width of the gulf and the roar of the water can be heard at considerable distance. The name Corryvreckan derives from the Gaelic Coire Bhreacain, meaning cauldron of the plaid. George Orwell nearly drowned in the Corryvreckan in 1947 while he was writing Nineteen Eighty-Four on Jura, his small boat being overturned in the whirlpool before he and his companions were rescued. The whirlpool can be viewed from the northern coast of Jura and boat trips from various points on the mainland and islands approach the gulf at safe distances.