Camping, Caravans & Motorhomes

If you wish to caravan or camp in Colonsay or Oronsay with the support of a motor vehicle, you must make prior arrangements, because you will need to have some agreed site or stance. This is very important - it is not possible to just turn up and settle for any spot that happens to take your fancy.

"Wild camping" (i.e. backpacking etc.) is rather different but because of the scenic beauty and small size of the island it is important to select a suitable location that will result in minimal impact occuring. This will enhance your stay and help in everyone's enjoyment of the island - ideally contact Colonsay or Oronsay Estate to seek their advice. Location should be at least 100 metres from any path, track or enclosure and there are important environmental guidelines to be observed. Here is an official government-sponsored site with very useful links and advice: Wild camping

Reverting to caravans, trailer tents, organised groups etc.: Although there are no officially-approved campsites or overnight stances in Colonsay or Oronsay, it is sometimes possible to make arrangements with the owner or occupier of a suitable site. It is best to make such arrangements well in advance, because there are no car-parks, lay-by areas or odd bits of vacant ground that lend themselves to ad hoc occupation.

Youth groups and educational or scientific parties might consider an approach to Colonsay Estate. Private individuals need to make their own arrangements - unfortunately no potential host has given permission for their contact details to be published here. There are only a few people who can help and they can only facilitate one or two such tents or vans at a time.

As soon as the stance has been arranged, space should be reserved on the ferry if there is a caravan or motor-home involved, identifying the agreed overnight stance. Please note that caravans and motor-homes can ONLY book ferry space through the Colonsay Office of Caledonian MacBrayne: Tel 01951 200308 (out of hours, try 01951 200320). Even if a reservation is accepted in error through another office, any such reservation will be invalid. If you want to bring a caravan or motor-home to Colonsay, you MUST reserve your ferry space through the COLONSAY office.

There is of course no restriction on the use of motor-homes for vehicular purposes, but all such vehicles must always be booked onto the ferry through the Colonsay office, identifying the address to be used for overnight accommodation.

N.B. Heavily subsidised fares for motor-homes etc. are provided by the Scottish Government to Coll, Tiree, Harris and Lewis and other destinations, where stances and special facilities are to be provided. There are no such subsidies on routes to Islay, Colonsay or Mull.