"MacPhie-Bagging"

A "MacPhie" is defined as an eminence in excess of 300ft in height, and is Colonsay's equivalent to a Munro, only smaller. The aim is to climb all the peaks on Colonsay and Oransay that exceed 300ft (91.46m), in the course of one connected walk. The journey has to start and finish with any point below High Water mark, and the "MacPhies" can be tackled in any order. There are 22 peaks in the Official List, and the distance is about 20 miles. A map of the MacPhies may help plan your day (hover over it an left-click your mouse to enlarge). And here is a description by someone who accepted the challenge a few years ago: MacPhie Bagging.

Although there is no competitive element in terms of speed, details of your favoured route and time may be of interest to other people. For example, Eric Brown took 6hrs 44mins on 11 July 1996 (Route:4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,3,2,1).

More recently, on May 2 2002, Jethro Lennox managed the remarkable time of 3 hours 56 minutes and 44 seconds, having started at the Strand and finishing at Kiloran Bay .

Location, Height and O.S. Reference for each MacPhie:

Beinn Orasa 93m 351893

Beinn Eibhne 98m 378904

Cnoc an t-Samhlaidh 93m 383926

Cnoc a' Raon a'Bhuilg 120m 372942

Beinn nan Caorach 126m 366941

Carn Mor 134m 373947

Binnean Riabhach 117m 364964

Cnoc Mull-araich 100m 370965

A' Bheinn Bhreach 139m 375972

A' Bheinn a Tuath 120m 381971

Beinn Uragaig 120m 385976

Beinn a' Sgoltaire 125m 392975

A' Bheinn Bheag 109m 406986

Carn an Eoin 143m 409985

A' Bheinn Bhreac 122m 414287

A' Mhaol Bhuidhe 100m 417983

Cnoc Mor Charraig nan Darach 92m 413973

Dun Dubh, a' Phairc Gharbh 104m 407972

Beinn nam Fitheach 105m 407967

Carn nan Caorach 110m 392948

Beinn nan Gudairean 136m 388950

Carn na Cainnle 116m 381945