Holiday Highlights of Colonsay

thinking ahead ....

As we enjoy the glorious months of summer, most of the availably accommodation is already booked; apart from opportunities created by late cancellations and other happenstance (all of which appear on our availability page) there is not much more to be said.

On the other hand, it is never too soon to remember the very special attractions of late summer and autumn. This year will see the first ever Colonsay Folk Festival, 16 - 18 September; it will be first-class, but already accommodation is in limited supply - if you wish to support this excellent initiative, you really will need to secure your accommodation soon.

Otherwise, choose whatever dates you can manage. There are obvious seasonal attractions, such as the changing colours, the flowering heather, the pre-migration preparations of the birds - even the fact that the island is less busy, and that accommodation costs are much lower. The night-sky becomes much more exciting as summer fades to autumn, and displays of the Northern Lights are a good possibility.

One phenomenon to be aware of is Will o' the Wisp ("Jack o' Lantern"). The vast majority of people have never seen this, and it is almost entirely restricted to late September and early October - you must find a very dark night, calm and with a temperaure-inversion (as is so typical during trhe harvest season). Observe the bog below Sguid Brideig, or to the west of Bruthaich Achaidh nan Darrach in the very darkest hours between midnight and the pre-dawn and you may be rewarded by the remarkable sight of (quite literally) thousands of dancing flames hovering and burning just above the surface of the ground. It makes for a memorable sight ... perhaps once-in-a-lifetime unless you live somewhere like Colonsay.

Visitors might like to know that Kevin Byrne is running walking and minibus tours each week this year. He is leading a walk through Riasg Buidhe, Coille Mhor etc., every Saturday, starting from Glassard Gate at 10.30 a.m. It is fairly challenging, but if you are up for about 5 miles do come along.

ACCESS

The full service of summer sailings continues until October 18th and our new air-service will now start on June 17th. It will permit ready access for short breaks, with flights initially on two days per week. Exact details are given elsewhere - the cost from Oban (Connel) will be little more than £65 return, and the flight will be worthwhile even if it is just to see the scenery.

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