10 must-sees on Colonsay and Oronsay
May 15, 2017With so many things to see and do on the islands it can be difficult to choose just a few. Here we suggest 10 must-sees on Colonsay and Oronsay.
1
Kiloran Bay
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The wide sandy beach of Kiloran is a highlight of Colonsay. Take in the view of the whole of the beach and the Atlantic waves from the vantage point of the car park, before a stroll on the pristine sands.
2
An Dealbh Leisg
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“The Image of Sloth”, a 10th century carved cruciform stone image is found in the formal garden of Colonsay House.
3
Tobar Chaluim Chille
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St. Columba’s Well is an ancient well that was blessed by St Columba in the 6th century.
4
Riasg Buidhe
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Visit the ruins of a 19th century fishing village and the associated graveyard.
5
Oronsay Priory
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This important medieval Augustinian priory is reached via a two-mile “pilgrimage” across the sandy bed of the tidal Strand. (Check tide times carefully.)
6
Dun Éibhinn
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The Iron Age fort became one of the seats of the Lords of the Isles, the ancestral home of Clan McPhie.
7
Teampull a’ Ghlinne
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The Temple in the Glen is an atmospheric ruin of a 15th century chapel in Colonsay that was an outlier of the Augustinian priory of Oronsay.
8
Cliffs of the west coast
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Follow the track to Gortin in Kilchattan and then onwards across Leana Mhór, past Aoineadh an t-Sruth to reach the north side of Meall Lamalum. The cliffs are a great place to spot many seabirds.
9
Fingal’s Limpet Hammers
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A pair of standing stones, associated with the legendary Celtic giant Fingal, stand in a field just to the west of Loch Fada, at Lower Kilchattan. Just possible, they are all that remain of a stone circle.
10
The Parish Church
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The church is an attractive Georgian building in a commanding position at Scalasaig. It was built in 1802 and with a noteworthy combed wooden ceiling. Information leaflet within.