Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Isle of Oronsay
Whilst on Colonsay, it's worth taking a day out to visit
the
ORONSAY
, half a mile to
the south, with its ruined Augustinian priory. he two islands are separated by “he
Strand”, a stretch of tidal mud flats, which act as a causeway for two hours either
side of low tide (check locally for timings); you can drive over to the island at low
tide, though most people park their cars and walk across. Legends (and etymology)
link saints Columba and Oran with Colonsay and Oronsay, although the ruins only
date back to the fourteenth century. You can, nevertheless, still make out the
original church and tiny cloisters, abandoned since the Reformation and now
roofless. he highlight, though, is the
Oronsay Cross
, a superb example of late
medieval artistry from Iona which, along with thirty or so beautifully carved
grave slabs, can be found in the restored side chapel. It takes about an hour to walk
from the tip of Colonsay across he Strand to the priory (Wellington boots are a
good idea).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
6
ISLE OF COLONSAY AND AROUND
By plane
Hebridean Air (
T
01631 524568,
W
hebrideanair.co.uk) operates scheduled flights to and
from Oban (Tues & Thurs 2 daily; Sat & Sun during school
termtime 1 daily; 25min), as well as Islay (Tues & Thurs 1
daily; 20min).
By ferry
CalMac ferries run from Oban and once a week
from Kennacraig via Islay, when a day-trip is possible,
giving you around six hours on the island. Ferries also make
the trip from Port Askaig on Islay.
Destinations
Kennacraig (Wed 1 daily; 3hr 40min); Oban
(daily except Tues & Sat; 2hr 15min); Port Askaig (Wed 1
daily; 1hr 10min).
GETTING AROUND AND INFORMATION
By minibus
There's no public transport, but a minibus
meets the Wednesday ferry and takes folk on a tour of
the island.
Bike rental
Archie McConnel (
T
01951 200355) rents bikes.
Website
There is no tourist o
ce, but the website,
W
colonsay.org.uk, is a useful resource.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
There are a couple of modern
B&Bs
to choose from, though most visitors rent
self-catering accommodation
, the
majority of which is run by the estate. Note that self-catering cottages tend to be booked from Friday to Friday, because of
the ferries.
Wild camping
is, of course, an option.
Backpacker's Lodge
Overlooking Loch Fada about two
miles from the ferry terminal
T
01951 200312,
W
colonsayestate.co.uk.
The
Colonsay Estate's very
comfortable hostel consists of the house itself (a former
gamekeepers lodge), with lounge and real fire, and a bothy
with three cabins, each sleeping two people and with a
shower blo
ck ou
tside. T
here
's a well-equipped dining bothy
too.
Dorms
£20
; cabin
£15
The Colonsay
Scalasaig
T
01951 200316,
W
thecolonsay.com.
A cosy eighteenth-century inn at
heart, and a short stroll from the pier, the island's only hotel
has transformed itself into a really stylish, comfortable
place to stay; it also has a good restaurant, serves very
decent bar snacks and acts as the isl
and's
social centre.
Daily noon-2.30pm & Sun 6-10pm.
£100
The Pantry
Above the pier in Scalasaig
T
01951 200325.
Offers both light refreshments (tea, coffee and cake)
alongside substantial and scrumptious home-cooking
(smoked haddock scramble with chips costs £9.75);
Wednesday evening is a designated seafood night, but in any
case, you must phone ahead for evening meals on any night
after 8pm.
Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 3-8pm.
Mid-Argyll
MID-ARGYLL
loosely describes the central wedge of land south of Oban and north of
Kintyre. he highlights of this gently undulating scenery lie along the sharply indented
and remote western coastline. Closest to Oban are the melancholy former slate mining
settlements of Seil, Easdale and Luing, known collectively as the
Slate Islands
. Further
south, the rich Bronze Age and Neolithic remains in the
Kilmartin
Glen
comprise one
of the most important prehistoric sites in Scotland. Separating Kilmartin Glen from
