Colonsay is a delightful little island which lies a few kilometres north of Islay. Colonsay itself is only 12km long but it is attached at low tide to the island of Oronsay which adds another 2km or so.

The land is generally fertile providing an agricultural economic base for the 100 or so inhabitants. The ferry port of Scalasaig is the main village on Colonsay with most of the remaining population divided between Kiloran and Kilchattan.

The jagged, rocky coastline provides endless hours of enjoyable exploration and there is also fishing and golf available on the island.

Oronsay is a haven of tranquillity accessible only at low tide by way of a sandy causeway known as 'The Strand'. Both these charming little islands will reward visitors with the holiday of a lifetime.

There have been people living on Colonsay for many thousands of years. Stone-age artefacts have been found in a cave on the island and there are many ruins and relics associated with religious practices, Celtic and pre-Christian.

The ceremonial grave of a Norse warrior, believed to be over 1000 years old, was found in the sand dunes of Kiloran Bay in the 19th century.

Between 1700 and 1900 Colonsay was owned by the MacNeill family and the story goes that while the original MacNeill was sailing to the island for the first time, with all his possessions and livestock, his wife gave birth on board the boat.

It was a stormy crossing and, fearing that his wife and child would not survive the cold he killed one of his cattle so that mother and baby could crawl inside the carcass and stay warm.

Colonsay and Oronsay are home to rabbits, seals, and all the usual sea-birds that you expect to find in the Hebrides.

When it comes to trees and flowers, however, Colonsay is outstanding. The woodlands include a wide variety of native trees as well as a surprising mixture of exotic species which were planted early in the 20th century.

The wild flowers of Colonsay are legendary for their beauty and diversity. More than 400 species have been recorded and the colours and fragrances which they exhibit in the summertime have to be experienced to be believed.

Why not come and visit the Colonsay website?

For details of accommodation on Colonsay, please visit Scottish Heartlands