Winter Colonsay Times available here...

10 must-sees on Colonsay and Oronsay

May 15, 2017

With 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
(NR 396980)

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
(NR 395968)

“The Image of Sloth”, a 10th century carved cruciform stone image is found in the formal garden of Colonsay House.

3 Tobar Chaluim Chille
(NR 404986)

St. Columba’s Well is an ancient well that was blessed by St Columba in the 6th century.

4 Riasg Buidhe
(NR405954)

Visit the ruins of a 19th century fishing village and the associated graveyard. 

5 Oronsay Priory
(NR 349889l)

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
(NR 382943)

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
(NR374917)

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
(NR370970)

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
(NR 367949)

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
(NR 389940)

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.