Colonsay

Tomorrow, well today as you are reading this, I am off on a great adventure.

We are going to Colonsay. We confess that we weren’t quite sure where Colonsay was. It’s more south than you’d think, and much further out.

Two and a half hours on a ferry, and a 3 hour drive to get to the ferry. Those of you who live in big countries may scoff, but it’s a long way for us. We shall need to stop for supplies, coffee and cake, at least twice on the way, before we get chips on the ferry.

Colonsay, from the Norse for “Columba’s isle”, is a gem of the Hebrides. Like most of the islands, its beauty is totally unspoiled, the scenery is incredible, the beaches are amazing- all golden sand and azure blue sea.

And no doubt huge winds with constant rain coming at you horizontally. I say that with no proof as I’ve never been there, but I’ve been fooled before.

I’m taking my woolly scarf.

The island is eight miles by three miles and it sits south of Mull and just west of Jura. That’s nearly the title of a geographically confusing film- Krakatoa, west of Jura. Anyway, the highest point of the island is 450 feet. The main centre of cohabitation is Scalasaig

The island has a population of 120 residents. 120 residents and they have a very successful book festival!

The weather on the mainland today has been sunny but cold. The forecast for tomorrow and the weekend is not good. I might take 2 scarves.

I think this is the view from the hotel. I will check it out for you and report back.

I hope to take pictures of the golden beaches and the dramatic cliffs. The highlight is a place called Kiloran Bay, the place of the sweeping sands and azure water.

The wildlife, birdlife in particular, is pretty spectacular; corncrakes and golden eagles are also on my list to photograph.

The machair of the island (a machair is a fertile low-lying grassy plain found on part of the northwestern coastlines of Ireland and Scotland, particularly the Outer Hebrides.) is sandy grassland with many colourful wildflowers in the summer. And I am led to believe that seal are easy to photograph as they lie on the sand, posing.

Colonsay even has its own wee island that is only accessible at low tide - Oronsay. As we are there for 2 days, and we have the car, we should be able to access it. The remains of a 14^th century priory are situated on the island.

The book festival is held in the village hall, and it attracts international writers like Alexander McCall Smith, James Robertson, Liz Lochhead and some bloke called Ian Rankin. The events are all in  the small intimate venue, so let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to go if given the chance!

As the wee blurb says ‘The Colonsay Book Festival is more than just a literary event—it's a celebration of community, creativity, and the timeless joy of storytelling.’

Me? I’ll going exploring, looking for the lighthouse- which should be easy to see. Even with both my scarves on.

This is the west coast, with Colonsay sitting out there, minding its own business.

More next week!