In the north of the Isle of Colonsay lies Kiloran Bay, a crescent-shaped beach. Colonsay House and its woodland gardens are home to one of Scotland’s finest rhododendron collections. Together with the Colonsay Heritage Trust Centre, the golf course at Machrins and the walking opportunities on Colonsay and Oronsay, these offer various ways to plan your trip: you can focus on the coast, garden culture, history or outdoor activities.
Beaches, trails and activities
The crescent-shaped beach of Kiloran Bay lies in the north of the Isle of Colonsay. There are plenty of walking opportunities on Colonsay and Oronsay. Colonsay is well suited to cycling, with roads that have comparatively little traffic and few steep or long climbs. An 18-hole golf course is located at Machrins on the west coast. The island therefore offers a range of activity ideas, from walking on both islands to cycling and golf.
Gardens and island history
Colonsay House and its woodland gardens are home to one of Scotland’s finest rhododendron collections. This gives the island a botanical focus alongside its coast and outdoor activities. The Colonsay Heritage Trust Centre offers a different cultural connection: it displays a continually expanding collection of artefacts and photographs, as well as special exhibitions. If you would like to include garden culture and history in your trip plans, you’ll find two distinct themes here.
Events and local activities
The Colonsay Festival of Spring takes place annually for two weeks in October. Depending on the edition, the programme includes dry-stone walling, historical and ornithological walks, foraging, cookery classes, preserving and food-preservation sessions, as well as craft workshops. Specific event details may vary from one edition to the next. Depending on the edition, foraging may also involve gathering ingredients for lunch.
A tour of the Colonsay Gin Distillery lasts approximately one hour and ends with a tasting of its products. It is available by prior arrangement only. Inflatable SUP equipment and wetsuits can also be hired on Colonsay. Availability may vary by season; check the rental service for your travel dates if you’re planning this activity.
Getting there from Oban
CalMac operates ferry services between Oban and Colonsay year-round. Sailing days and routes vary, so you should check the current timetable before travelling. Colonsay can also be reached by plane from Oban with Hebridean Air Services. This service does not operate daily and must be booked in advance. The ferry and air services therefore differ primarily in their operating conditions: check the current timetable for the ferry, and plan for the flight’s non-daily service and advance booking requirement.
Discover more destinations: Tarbert, Isle of Jura, Cairndow, Bruichladdich, Rothesay, Minard, Arrochar, Kilchoan
For the broader travel guide: Argyll and Bute.
