Argyll - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 88

Uisken (Mull)

1

COLONSAY

Firth
of Lorn

0 2

Balnahard

miles

Kiloran
Bay

Colonsay
House

Kiloran

Beinn
Bhreac
(456ft)

Kilchattan

Beinn nan
Gudairean
(446ft)

Colonsay

Scalasaig

The Strand

N

Oronsay

Port Askaig & Bunnahabhainn

Beinn Bhreac
The island's west coast forms a sharp escarpment, quite at odds with the gentle
undulating landscape that characterizes the rest of the island. Due west of Colonsay
House around Beinn Bhreac (456ft), the cliffs are at their most spectacular, and in
their lower reaches provide a home to hundreds of seabirds, among them kittiwake,
cormorant and guillemot in spring and early summer.

Isle of Oronsay
While on Colonsay, it's worth taking a day out to visit the Isle of Oronsay , half a
mile to the south, with its ruined Augustinian priory. The two islands are separated
by “The Strand”, a stretch of tidal mudflats, 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. The 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 The Strand to the priory (Wellington boots are a
good option).