The narrow strait between the northern tip of Jura and the island of Scarba has unusually violent tidal currents, including what is often called the third-largest whirlpool in the world. The Gaelic name, Coire Bhreacain, means something like "cauldron of the speckled seas".
You can see it from Jura by walking north from the end of the road along the track past Barnhill and then across rough ground to the coast — a full day's outing. The easier way is a boat trip from local harbours, timed to the tides. Orwell, his young son, a niece and a nephew nearly drowned here when the outboard motor fell off their boat.