More Info ...
We have pulled together some information relating to the practicalities of life on Colonsay along with some useful sources and links to websites that provide more details about Colonsay, island life and how to there. Hopefully these will help you to plan your next visit.
FERRIES
https://www.calmac.co.uk/
Ferry Terminal - 01951 200308 (CALMAC Oban - 0800 066 5000)
Ferries run daily through the summer from Oban, with an alternative route to/from Port Askaig and Kennacraig on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In winter a reduced service runs, typically four days a week. Due to the remote location of Colonsay there are occasions when ferries can be disrupted by extremes of weather and other events. If you have any queries regarding sailings then please contact the Ferry Terminal at Scalasaig or CALMAC at the main port in Oban.
FLIGHTS
https://www.hebrideanair.co.uk/
Oban Airport - 0845 805 7465 Mon-Fri 0830-1630
The previously grass landing strip on Colonsay was upgraded to tarmac in 2006 and since then Hebridean Air Services have operated flights from Oban to Colonsay on Tuesdays and Thursdays (weather permitting) on a circuit including Islay. The service generally operates twice on these days and can be used for a (very) quick visit to Colonsay. The bright yellow twin engine BN2B aircraft is easy to spot as it crosses the island on take of or approach.
GENERAL STORE
http://www.colonsayshop.net/
Tel: 01951 200266
Opening: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Closes at 14:00 on Saturdays out with school holidays)
The self-titled “Best Wee Shop in the Herbides” prides itself on the large range of goods stocked and its excellent customer service. The store provides a Cottage Delivery Service, which aims to take the stress out of coming on holiday by doing your shopping for you. Orders placed in advance can be delivered to your cottage in advance of your arrival. The store stocks many wines, local Balnahard meat and everything from the basic milk and newspapers through fresh seafood to freshly baked bread and pastries.
Cards and cash accepted.
BREWERY
https://colonsaybrewery.co.uk/
Tel: 01951 200190
Opening: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 15:30 – 17:30
Colonsay is the smallest island in the world with its own brewery and it sits at the heart of the island community in the main settlement of Scalasaig. The beer, like island life is handled slowly and thoughtfully and is slow brewed to deliver maximum flavour and refreshment.
GIN
https://wildislandgin.com/
Tel: 01951 200190
The Brewery has recently started producing its own gin. Six native plants hand gathered on the island in Spring and Summer – lemon balm, wild water mint, meadowsweet, sea buckthorn, heather flowers and bog myrtle – provide the heart and soul of Wild Island Botanic Gin. The result is unique premium gin of the very highest quality. 2018: Sacred Tree Gin and the Distillers Cut available.
The shop will happily offer you tastings.
Also available are T shirts, fleeces, polo shirts, and glasses with the Wild Island Motif, plus Harris Tweed lampshades to make the most of the gin bottles once emptied!
Cash and cards accepted.
https://www/wildthymespirits.com/
Tel: 01951 200082
Wild Thyme Spirits began production of their handmade small batch Colonsay Gin in the summer of 2018. The Gin takes inspiration from a mixture of Celtic folklore and the natural beauty of the wild island.
BOOKSHOP
Tel: 01951 200232
The island bookshop at Scalasaig carries a large selection of books, specialising in titles with a Scottish and Hebridean flavour. There is also an antiquarian section for rarer sources. It is more than just a bookshop, also selling craft items, woollen items, cards and small gifts. The Bookshop is open in summer, Monday - Saturday 3 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. It can be accessed at other times by contacting Kevin and Christa Byrne at Homefield tel. 01951 200320. Contact Georgina, at home on 01951 200375, to discuss any special or unusual books.
Cash and cards accepted
PANTRY
http://www.thecolonsaypantry.co.uk/
Tel: 01951 200325
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 20:00
Sunday 15:00 – 20:00
The Pantry is a family run Business that has been in operation since 1988. Located 200 yards from the pier with amazing views looking out over the pier and onto the Jura Hills where you can sit back and relax & enjoy a wide selection of Coffees and Teas along with their amazing home baked cakes! Otherwise it sounds as though you or Lindsay have been baking, The former seems rather hard to believe!!!
Lunch Menu served from 12 Noon Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat During Winter
Dinner Served from 5pm with the freshest local produce.
COLONSAY HOUSE AND CAFE
http://www.colonsayholidays.co.uk/eating-and-drinking/
Tel: 01951 200211
The Colonsay House private gardens and cafe are open from April to September on Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 5pm and on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm. In October, the gardens and cafe are open on Wednesdays from 2 - 4.30pm for afternoon teas. There is a large sunny terrace overlooking the garden as well as an indoor seating area. Delicious soup, filled bread rolls, savoury tart of the day served with our own organic salad leaves, teas and coffee, home-baked cakes and ice creams are available. Postcards and souvenirs are also for sale.
https://www.calmac.co.uk/
Ferry Terminal - 01951 200308 (CALMAC Oban - 0800 066 5000)
Ferries run daily through the summer from Oban, with an alternative route to/from Port Askaig and Kennacraig on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In winter a reduced service runs, typically four days a week. Due to the remote location of Colonsay there are occasions when ferries can be disrupted by extremes of weather and other events. If you have any queries regarding sailings then please contact the Ferry Terminal at Scalasaig or CALMAC at the main port in Oban.
FLIGHTS
https://www.hebrideanair.co.uk/
Oban Airport - 0845 805 7465 Mon-Fri 0830-1630
The previously grass landing strip on Colonsay was upgraded to tarmac in 2006 and since then Hebridean Air Services have operated flights from Oban to Colonsay on Tuesdays and Thursdays (weather permitting) on a circuit including Islay. The service generally operates twice on these days and can be used for a (very) quick visit to Colonsay. The bright yellow twin engine BN2B aircraft is easy to spot as it crosses the island on take of or approach.
GENERAL STORE
http://www.colonsayshop.net/
Tel: 01951 200266
Opening: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Closes at 14:00 on Saturdays out with school holidays)
The self-titled “Best Wee Shop in the Herbides” prides itself on the large range of goods stocked and its excellent customer service. The store provides a Cottage Delivery Service, which aims to take the stress out of coming on holiday by doing your shopping for you. Orders placed in advance can be delivered to your cottage in advance of your arrival. The store stocks many wines, local Balnahard meat and everything from the basic milk and newspapers through fresh seafood to freshly baked bread and pastries.
Cards and cash accepted.
BREWERY
https://colonsaybrewery.co.uk/
Tel: 01951 200190
Opening: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 15:30 – 17:30
Colonsay is the smallest island in the world with its own brewery and it sits at the heart of the island community in the main settlement of Scalasaig. The beer, like island life is handled slowly and thoughtfully and is slow brewed to deliver maximum flavour and refreshment.
GIN
https://wildislandgin.com/
Tel: 01951 200190
The Brewery has recently started producing its own gin. Six native plants hand gathered on the island in Spring and Summer – lemon balm, wild water mint, meadowsweet, sea buckthorn, heather flowers and bog myrtle – provide the heart and soul of Wild Island Botanic Gin. The result is unique premium gin of the very highest quality. 2018: Sacred Tree Gin and the Distillers Cut available.
The shop will happily offer you tastings.
Also available are T shirts, fleeces, polo shirts, and glasses with the Wild Island Motif, plus Harris Tweed lampshades to make the most of the gin bottles once emptied!
Cash and cards accepted.
https://www/wildthymespirits.com/
Tel: 01951 200082
Wild Thyme Spirits began production of their handmade small batch Colonsay Gin in the summer of 2018. The Gin takes inspiration from a mixture of Celtic folklore and the natural beauty of the wild island.
BOOKSHOP
Tel: 01951 200232
The island bookshop at Scalasaig carries a large selection of books, specialising in titles with a Scottish and Hebridean flavour. There is also an antiquarian section for rarer sources. It is more than just a bookshop, also selling craft items, woollen items, cards and small gifts. The Bookshop is open in summer, Monday - Saturday 3 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. It can be accessed at other times by contacting Kevin and Christa Byrne at Homefield tel. 01951 200320. Contact Georgina, at home on 01951 200375, to discuss any special or unusual books.
Cash and cards accepted
PANTRY
http://www.thecolonsaypantry.co.uk/
Tel: 01951 200325
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 20:00
Sunday 15:00 – 20:00
The Pantry is a family run Business that has been in operation since 1988. Located 200 yards from the pier with amazing views looking out over the pier and onto the Jura Hills where you can sit back and relax & enjoy a wide selection of Coffees and Teas along with their amazing home baked cakes! Otherwise it sounds as though you or Lindsay have been baking, The former seems rather hard to believe!!!
Lunch Menu served from 12 Noon Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat During Winter
Dinner Served from 5pm with the freshest local produce.
COLONSAY HOUSE AND CAFE
http://www.colonsayholidays.co.uk/eating-and-drinking/
Tel: 01951 200211
The Colonsay House private gardens and cafe are open from April to September on Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 5pm and on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm. In October, the gardens and cafe are open on Wednesdays from 2 - 4.30pm for afternoon teas. There is a large sunny terrace overlooking the garden as well as an indoor seating area. Delicious soup, filled bread rolls, savoury tart of the day served with our own organic salad leaves, teas and coffee, home-baked cakes and ice creams are available. Postcards and souvenirs are also for sale.
