Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
scape and is famous for its outstanding collection of hybrid rhododendrons and unusual
trees. There's a cafe in the formal walled garden beside the house.
There are good sandy beaches at several points around the coast, but
Kiloran Bay
in
the northwest, a scimitar-shaped strand of dark golden sand, is outstanding. If there are
too many people here for you, walk the 3 miles north to beautiful
Balnahard Bay
, access-
ible only on foot, bike or by boat; on the way, it's an easy climb to
Carnan Eoin
(143m),
the highest point on the island.
Back at Scalasaig, the
Colonsay Brewery
(
01951-200190;
www.colonsaybrewery.co.uk
;
Scalasaig; 3.30-5.30pm Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun)
offers
you the chance to have a look at how it produces its hand-crafted ales - the Colonsay IPA
is a grand pint.
Kevin & Christa Byrne
(
01951-200320; byrne@colonsay.org.uk)
offer two-hour
minibus tours of the island (adult/child £12.50/7.50) on Tuesdays. There's also a regular
'Hidden Colonsay' walking tour (adult/child £12/7.50) every Saturday in summer; book-
ing essential.
You can hire bikes from
Archie McCon-nell
(
01951-200355;
www.colonsaycottage.co.uk
;
Colnatarun Cottage, Kilchattan; per day £7.50)
- book in
advance and he can deliver to aerodrome or ferry pier.
Sleeping & Eating
Short-stay accommodation on Colonsay is limited and should be booked before coming to
the island.
Wild camping
is allowed (no cars or campercans), as long as you abide by the
provisions of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (
Click here
)
. See
www.colonsay.org.uk
for
self-catering
accommodation listings.
HOTEL
Colonsay Hotel££
(
01951-200316;
www.colonsayestate.co.uk
; s/d from £70/100; )
This wonderfully
laid-back hotel is set in an atmospheric old inn dating from 1750, a short walk uphill from
the ferry pier. The stylish
restaurant
(mains £11 to £20, open daily for breakfast, lunch
and dinner) offers down-to-earth cooking using local produce as much as possible, from
Colonsay oysters and lobsters to herbs and salad leaves from the Colonsay House gardens.
The bar is a convivial melting pot of locals, guests, hikers, cyclists and visiting
yachties.
Backpackers Lodge£
HOSTEL
