The Isle of Colonsay
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Colonsay (Scottish Gaelic: Colbhasa) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, located north of Islay and south of Mull. The ancestral home of Clan Macfie and the Colonsay branch of Clan MacNeil, it is in the council area of Argyll and Bute and has an area of 4,074 hectares (15.7 sq mi). It measures 8 miles (13 km) in length and reaches 3 miles (4.8 km) at its widest point. The island's population is around 120 , but this can increase dramatically during the summer holiday season.
Caledonian MacBrayne ferries sail to Colonsay from Oban and, on some days, from Kennacraig via Port Askaig on Islay. In 2006 the former grass airstrip was upgraded and provided with a hard surface in readiness for the introduction of a scheduled air service. Hebridean Air Services operates from Oban Airport and Islay Airport to Colonsay Airport. |
Beaches
Kiloran
There is a parking area at the south end of the beach and more parking on the grass over the cattle grid at the start of the Balnahard track. There is a gate below the car park that gives the easiest route to the beach down a slope over grass and smooth rock. You will have to cross a burn below the slope, so wellies or barefeet are best. There are sometimes stepping stones but this depends on when holidaying children last dammed the burn. At low tide you can walk either direction along the bay. To the left (south) is rockier with a stone arch not too far away. The main beach goes right (north) for about a mile with a feature dead whale at the far end. There are sometimes cattle/sheep on the sand but it is usually very quiet. Kiloran sunsets can be stunning as a backdrop to an evening amble and the beach is often deserted from early evening. There are caves across the small inlet beyond the northern end of the beach which are quite easily accessible, although at high tide you might need to scramble or cross a fence to get there.
There is a parking area at the south end of the beach and more parking on the grass over the cattle grid at the start of the Balnahard track. There is a gate below the car park that gives the easiest route to the beach down a slope over grass and smooth rock. You will have to cross a burn below the slope, so wellies or barefeet are best. There are sometimes stepping stones but this depends on when holidaying children last dammed the burn. At low tide you can walk either direction along the bay. To the left (south) is rockier with a stone arch not too far away. The main beach goes right (north) for about a mile with a feature dead whale at the far end. There are sometimes cattle/sheep on the sand but it is usually very quiet. Kiloran sunsets can be stunning as a backdrop to an evening amble and the beach is often deserted from early evening. There are caves across the small inlet beyond the northern end of the beach which are quite easily accessible, although at high tide you might need to scramble or cross a fence to get there.
Balnahard
Balnahard is a straightforward four(ish) mile there and back again along a farm track ending across the machair to the beach. Parking is best achieved at the start of the farm track on the grass beyond the cattle grid with the stone gate posts. There are potentially cattle/sheep about but they tend to ignore walkers if left alone. There are also wild goats at the north end of the island which can often be seen doing a bit of cliff based acrobatics. If you peel off the farm track just after the steep hill with concrete patches where the power lines leave the track then you will find the short foot(sheep)path to the highest peak on the island which can give fantastic views of Islay, Jura, Mull and even Ireland on a clear day. You can get a good sense of the scale of the island from the trig point at the top. Retrace your steps back to the farm track to carry on to Balnahard passing the stone whale artwork on the way. The Balnahard track ends at a small but newish farm shed. Head right (east) from there across the machair to the beach. A quick dip is an excellent reward for tired walkers who are feelling brave, but be warned, the water on the east coast tends to be a tad colder than the west. The return trip is simply back along the same track.
Balnahard is a straightforward four(ish) mile there and back again along a farm track ending across the machair to the beach. Parking is best achieved at the start of the farm track on the grass beyond the cattle grid with the stone gate posts. There are potentially cattle/sheep about but they tend to ignore walkers if left alone. There are also wild goats at the north end of the island which can often be seen doing a bit of cliff based acrobatics. If you peel off the farm track just after the steep hill with concrete patches where the power lines leave the track then you will find the short foot(sheep)path to the highest peak on the island which can give fantastic views of Islay, Jura, Mull and even Ireland on a clear day. You can get a good sense of the scale of the island from the trig point at the top. Retrace your steps back to the farm track to carry on to Balnahard passing the stone whale artwork on the way. The Balnahard track ends at a small but newish farm shed. Head right (east) from there across the machair to the beach. A quick dip is an excellent reward for tired walkers who are feelling brave, but be warned, the water on the east coast tends to be a tad colder than the west. The return trip is simply back along the same track.
Cable Bay
Park at the Strand and walk back up the road to the farm track signed for Balerominmore. You will pass a fenced off standing stone which marks the site of an old church and the execution of the clan chief of the McPhee's (I think). The farm track takes you past the farmhouse then becomes a sandy footpath that goes past a larger and strangely unsatisfying bay before arriving at cable bay (where the power used to arrive on the island). This is a sheltered and much more satisfying bay with very soft sand that squeaks if you walk on it barefoot when it's warm from the sun. From here you can skirt the coast to the right (south) down to the strand (seals) and back round to your car passed the hangman's rock high up on the cliff to the right at the bottom end of the island.
Park at the Strand and walk back up the road to the farm track signed for Balerominmore. You will pass a fenced off standing stone which marks the site of an old church and the execution of the clan chief of the McPhee's (I think). The farm track takes you past the farmhouse then becomes a sandy footpath that goes past a larger and strangely unsatisfying bay before arriving at cable bay (where the power used to arrive on the island). This is a sheltered and much more satisfying bay with very soft sand that squeaks if you walk on it barefoot when it's warm from the sun. From here you can skirt the coast to the right (south) down to the strand (seals) and back round to your car passed the hangman's rock high up on the cliff to the right at the bottom end of the island.
Ardskenish
From the golf club parking (a square of rough concrete and a bench where the southern loop of the main road arrives at the west coast, follow the track or the coast to the western end of the runway. From there a sometimes boggy track leads south towards the south west corner of the island and the two beaches at Ardskenish. We normally do there and back again but you could extend this to cross the dunes to the Strand between Colonsay and Oransay or even loop north back up the road from the Strand to the recycling centre junction then west to the golf course again.
From the golf club parking (a square of rough concrete and a bench where the southern loop of the main road arrives at the west coast, follow the track or the coast to the western end of the runway. From there a sometimes boggy track leads south towards the south west corner of the island and the two beaches at Ardskenish. We normally do there and back again but you could extend this to cross the dunes to the Strand between Colonsay and Oransay or even loop north back up the road from the Strand to the recycling centre junction then west to the golf course again.
Walking
The MacPhies
Bagging Scotland’s Munros is known to be a formidable challenge, however, there is an alternative achievement that only a select few have under their belts. The MacPhies are defined as those peaks over 300ft on the islands of Colonsay and Oronsay.There are 22 which can be collected in one walk of around 20 miles, putting the challenge within the grasp of those preapred for a good day's tramp through the best that the Hebrides have to offer.
With no official route or order you are free to create your own schedule and spread the task out over anything from the sub four hour time of one superhuman to the more achievable, let's do it over a fortnight of the more laid back bagger.
Bagging Scotland’s Munros is known to be a formidable challenge, however, there is an alternative achievement that only a select few have under their belts. The MacPhies are defined as those peaks over 300ft on the islands of Colonsay and Oronsay.There are 22 which can be collected in one walk of around 20 miles, putting the challenge within the grasp of those preapred for a good day's tramp through the best that the Hebrides have to offer.
With no official route or order you are free to create your own schedule and spread the task out over anything from the sub four hour time of one superhuman to the more achievable, let's do it over a fortnight of the more laid back bagger.
The Strand and Oronsay
https://www.southernhebrides.com/isle-of-oronsay-and-oronsay-priory/
The Isle of Oronsay, locally sometimes referred to as Oransay, lies south of Colonsay and is privately owned by an American family. There is an agricultural agreement with the RSPB who are responsible for the wildlife management and the running of the farm. The “Big House” where the owners live when visiting, is located next to the Farm and the Oronsay Priory. There are only a few resident people on Oronsay and their lives are “ruled by the tides” as Oronsay can only be reached at low tide crossing the Strand.
The Strand is a sand and mud flat area, which almost dries up at low tide, and divides Colonsay from Oronsay. There used to be a standing cross halfway between the two islands: a so-called Sanctuary Cross for those escaping the law on Colonsay. The fugitive could claim sanctuary of the Priory if they reached the cross before being caught. It has been replaced by a cross shaped arrangements of stones. To the east from The Strand, between Oronsay and Colonsay, is a beautiful beach and dune area with great views towards Jura and Islay.
When the tide is favourable you can easily cross The Strand, although good footwear, or barefoot, is advised as there are always areas where a few to sometimes 10cm of water resides. At the end of the official road, at the north end of The Strand, is a small parking area where you can leave your bike or vehicle. Make sure when you do this to check the tides at The Post Office in Scalasaig. They can give you the exact times when the tides go out and come back in, allowing you to make the trip and return safely on Colonsay with dry(ish) feet. Please note that there are no facilities for tourists/visitors on Oronsay and there is also, usually, no mobile phone reception, so make sure to check tides before you go!
Oronsay is a nature reserve so please treat this nature reserve with care and respect.
https://www.southernhebrides.com/isle-of-oronsay-and-oronsay-priory/
The Isle of Oronsay, locally sometimes referred to as Oransay, lies south of Colonsay and is privately owned by an American family. There is an agricultural agreement with the RSPB who are responsible for the wildlife management and the running of the farm. The “Big House” where the owners live when visiting, is located next to the Farm and the Oronsay Priory. There are only a few resident people on Oronsay and their lives are “ruled by the tides” as Oronsay can only be reached at low tide crossing the Strand.
The Strand is a sand and mud flat area, which almost dries up at low tide, and divides Colonsay from Oronsay. There used to be a standing cross halfway between the two islands: a so-called Sanctuary Cross for those escaping the law on Colonsay. The fugitive could claim sanctuary of the Priory if they reached the cross before being caught. It has been replaced by a cross shaped arrangements of stones. To the east from The Strand, between Oronsay and Colonsay, is a beautiful beach and dune area with great views towards Jura and Islay.
When the tide is favourable you can easily cross The Strand, although good footwear, or barefoot, is advised as there are always areas where a few to sometimes 10cm of water resides. At the end of the official road, at the north end of The Strand, is a small parking area where you can leave your bike or vehicle. Make sure when you do this to check the tides at The Post Office in Scalasaig. They can give you the exact times when the tides go out and come back in, allowing you to make the trip and return safely on Colonsay with dry(ish) feet. Please note that there are no facilities for tourists/visitors on Oronsay and there is also, usually, no mobile phone reception, so make sure to check tides before you go!
Oronsay is a nature reserve so please treat this nature reserve with care and respect.
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The Abandoned Village
There is space to park in a wide passing place opposite the track to the Council yard at the high point of the road from Scalasaig to Kiloran. If you walk up this track and follow the footpath round the yard fence to the left then the track continues more or less west, passing a deserted farmhouse and then on to the abandoned fishing village of Riasg Buidhe, which was inhabited until around 1920 when the last occupants were moved to Glassard at Scalasaig. There are still small areas of field and garden discernible along with various other features of the settlement. Below the village there is a natural harbour where a deep channel in the rock allowed the villagers boats to approach the shore and unload. |
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Wildlife
Colonsay is a great place to spot a host of wild birdlife, from the soaring Eagles that visit from Mull to the elusive Corncrake that you will almost certainly hear but not see. A wide variety of sea birds can be found on the nesting cliffs of the west coast including Arctic Terns and Manx Shearwater. The island also has it's own herd of wild goats that are said to be the descendants of castaways from a wrecked ship. There are plenty of opportunities to watch seals all around the island and these curious creatures are quite likely to spend some time watching you back. As with all the wildlife on the island please try to enjoy from a respectful distance without causing distress or disturbance.
Golf
The Island boasts its own 18 hole course at Machrins on the west coast of the island which offers an abundance of character and a round never to be forgotten. The course sits on the machair at Machrins by the Airport on the perfect soil that underpins only the best Scottish links courses. Magnificent panoramas are guaranteed from every green, along with the occasional woolly hazard.
Colonsay hosts its own open championship in August every year and is open to anyone willing to take on the challenge.
The cost of a round is £10 per person or you can become an annual member for £60. Green Fees can be paid in the Hotel or Estate Office and there is also an honesty box for fees at the bench by the parking at the first tee.
Colonsay hosts its own open championship in August every year and is open to anyone willing to take on the challenge.
The cost of a round is £10 per person or you can become an annual member for £60. Green Fees can be paid in the Hotel or Estate Office and there is also an honesty box for fees at the bench by the parking at the first tee.
