Guided Tours & Walks in Colonsay and Oransay

Minibus Tours of Colonsay 2008

Every Tuesday

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.).

There is a tour almost every Tuesday, 11.30hrs - 13.00hrs

Tour starts and finishes at Colonsay Hotel car-park.

Cost is £10 per adult, £7.50 per child under 16yrs.

Maximum of 15 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 £7.50 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

HIDDEN COLONSAY, 2008

Every Saturday

An energetic walking tour is available each week, normally on Saturday. This will follow a cross-country route and will require sensible footwear and clothing - and you will need to bring a packed lunch.In 2008 the route will start at Glassard, passing Riasg Buidhe, Creag na Teasaiche ("Fever Rock") and the Fever Village, Cnoc na Faire, Port Olmsa and A' Choille Mhór. A picnic lunch will probably be taken at Corr Dhùnan, after which participants will decide between a shortcut via Loch nan Clach or the longer way via Dùnan nan Nighean or even A' Choille Bheag - either way, the trip finishes at An Crosan (start of the track to Balnahard), where the minibus will be waiting to return the party to Glassard.

Kevin Byrne will lead the party and his local knowledge will be helpful - there are many small features of the landscape which are easily overlooked. Depending upon fate, 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.

The trip starts at Glassard Gate at 10.30hrs. on Saturday and we should normally be back there for 15.00hrs

Cost is £10 per adult, £5.00 per child under 16yrs. - unfortunately there has to be a minimum return of £60.00 to make the project viable, so please contact Kevin Byrne in advance on 01951 200320. Once we know that there is enough interest for any given day, there is no particular upper limit - perhaps we might hope for 10 or 12 persons?

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

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