Guided Walks & Tours in Colonsay and Oransay

IN 2012, RSPB WILL PROVIDE A SERIES OF GUIDED WALKS IN COLONSAY & ORANSAY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, LED BY AN EXPERIENCED ORNITHOLOGIST.

YOU WILL FIND DETAILS IN NOTICES AT SHOP, PANTRY, HOTEL Etc.

TAILOR-MADE BOAT TRIPS BY HIGH-SPEED RIB

Cameron & Struan Smith operate Coastal Connection with fast charter boats operating all year round... if you have something special in mind, give them a call on 01631 565833 or 07919 615210

HIDDEN COLONSAY, 2012

Every Saturday by arrangement

Kevin Byrne runs an energetic walking tour each week, normally on Saturday. This will be the fifth year in a series of ten, d.v. The first year covered the ground from Glassard to Port Cheann a' Gharraidh on the east coast, and the second year covered the whole of Balnahard, up the west coast and down the east as far as Port Cheann a' Gharraidh. Year three was a tour of Colonsay's Central Massif and last year there was a figure-of-eight tour of both Balerominmor and Baleromindubh. If you missed any of those trips and can get a few friends to join you, Kevin would be delighted to arrange catch-up trips - but time is a great problem so please give as much notice as possible.

In 2012, it is time to start visiting Oransay... but because of tides, the Oransay trip will be only on certain Saturdays (by the way, I did promise that we would bring no dogs on those days). For example, on May 19th, July 21st and August 4th we will visit part of Garvard plus Oransay; in 2013 there will be some additional Oransay visits.... because of the limited number of dates, you might like to firm up in advance by email or call 01951 200320 after you reach Colonsay.

On the remaining Saturdays in 2012, we will concentrate on Garvard, including the important Bronze Age agricultural features, the sites associated with St. Columba and the anchorites of the Strand etc. A very nice walk, particularly rich in wildlife. Trip starts at 10.30 from Garvard cattle-grid but parking is a problem - the minibus can collect you at the Pantry at 10.15, or opposite Baleromindubh entrance at 10.25.

Kevin Byrne's local knowledge will be helpful - there are many small features of the landscape which are easily overlooked. As mentioned above, this is the fifth year of this series of walks - it is intended to choose a different area of Colonsay each year - if we all live long enough, we can see it all.

The trip is not intended to be competitive, but participants should be reasonably fit. As well as your lunch, please remember to bring chocolate and a bottle of water. Children will need to be reasonably independent - perhaps 12 yrs. or more; and although well-behaved dogs are very welcome, you may need to be able to lift them across the odd fence.

Cost is £12 per adult, £10 students, £7.50 per child under 16yrs. - ideally there should be a minimum return of £60.00 to make the project viable, but in fact we often go with just one or two persons. In any event, please contact Kevin Byrne in advance on 01951 200320. There is no particular upper limit - sometimes it might reach 10 or 12 persons.

Payment by cheque or credit card is very acceptable. Telephone 01951 200320 to book.

byrne@colonsay.org.uk

Minibus Tours of Colonsay 2012

Every Tuesday by arrangement

Why not take a brief guided minibus tour of the island to get your bearings? Kevin Byrne has lived in Colonsay since 1978 and will outline the major features of interest in geology, wildlife, archaeology, history and island life - more to the point, he will be very happy to tailor the trip to suit your interests. Kevin is particularly interested in topography and social history (genealogy, emigration, agriculture etc.).

A tour is possible almost every Tuesday, 11.30hrs - 13.00hrs

Tour starts and finishes at Colonsay Hotel car-park or by arrangement elsewhere.

Cost is £12.50 per adult, £10.00 students, £7.50 per child under 16yrs.

Minimum fee £40.00, maximum of 14 persons. Please reserve on 01951 200320

Payment by cheque or credit card is very acceptable. Telephone 01951 200320 to book.

byrne@colonsay.org.uk

Every Wednesday

This one is a little different as it is mainly to suit day-visitors

Ferry arrives Colonsay 11.25 hrs from Kennacraig and Port Askaig

On arrival, passengers have 50 minutes to explore the harbour area, or to visit the island shop, Post Office or Pantry (all within 150 metres of Bus Stop).

Guided Tour departs Pier 12.15hrs, via Colonsay House Gardens , Kiloran Bay , Port Mór Bookshop, Machrins, Hotel, Pantry finishes at Pier 12.45hrs

Passengers may alight at any point, for uplift on second run, timetabled below

Collection service starts at Kiloran Bay 15.45hrs, via Colonsay House Gardens 15.50hrs, Port Mor Bookshop 15.55hrs, Machrins 16.00hrs, can drop passengers at Hotel or Pantry for refreshments, finishes at Pier 16.15hrs.

Ferry departs Colonsay at 18.05hrs for return to Port Askaig and Kennacraig

The tour includes an outline commentary on the general history and wildlife of Colonsay but can readily be varied to meet specific interests.

TOUR COSTS £8.50 per adult, £4.00 per child 5 - 15 yrs. inc.

Maximum of 14 persons. Please reserve on 01951 200320

Payment by cheque or credit card is very acceptable.

byrne@colonsay.org.uk

TAILOR-MADE TOURS

Kevin Byrne may also be able to assist with a special tour, whether on foot or by minibus, tailored to your own specific requirements. Cost is likely to be about £25.00 an hour on foot or £50.00 an hour if using the minibus.

Telephone 01951 200320 for further details.

byrne@colonsay.org.uk