Tag: Colonsay

myhighlands.de recommends Islay’s neighbour Colonsay (in German)

Colonsay Excursions

Something for the German speakers today (or those who can get by with the YouTube automatic translation subtitles): Stephan Goldmann of myhighlands.de has published his latest podcast where he talks about what he calls his “Retreat Islands”, lesser visited islands with fewer tourist attractions than their better known and more touristy counterparts. Places where he can retreat from the busier places. One of them, the third one to be precise, is Islay’s neighbour Colonsay:

Meine drei liebsten schottischen Inseln, auf die ich mich gerne zurückziehe

Of course in German, but on Stephan’s website you’ll also find information about Islay and Jura. Not to forget Gigha as well as (to be expected from this podcast) Colonsay.

Stunning videos of Islay, Jura and Colonsay from an inflatable and a drone

Islay on Video

The attribute “stunning” I often feel is overused and through that sadly devalued. But when I watched Donny Wilcox’s videos from Islay, Jura and Colonsay this evening I couldn’t think of anything else but “stunning” several times. Some really amazing views and different perspectives, views I’ve never seen that way before. Let’s start with Islay and Colonsay:

The Gurnard at Sea in 2023 Part Four ..Islay and Colonsay

Now let’s rewind to Donny’s arrival on Jura, his base for his time in the area:

The Gurnard at Sea in 2023 Part Three ..The Jura Area

And to close some more of Donny’s time on Jura, exploring Loch Tarbert:

The Gurnard at Sea in 2023 Part Five ..Loch Tarbert, Jura

I hope you enjoyed Donny’s videos as much as I did, the great views from the air, the sea and the land. Many thanks to Donny for sharing your adventures!

Nice walking on Islay (and Jura and Colonsay) video

Islay on Video

While we don’t know when, if it’s going to be this year or next year, at some point we will be able to go walking in the beautiful wide open spaces of Islay, Jura and Colonsay again. Until then we have to watch videos like this, showing walking on mainly Islay, but also Jura and Colonsay, in all weathers, from beautiful sunshine to pouring rain:

There are many ways to walk on Islay: you can go on organised walking holidays like in this video with About Argyll, you can come for the Islay walking week or you can go just for yourself whenever you want and wherever you want.

Islay’s neighbour Colonsay with a drone, revisited

Colonsay Excursions

How about another visit to Islay’s neighbour Colonsay this Saturday evening? A few years ago I shared Jonas Igel’s Colonsay by drone video, tonight is the turn of Tom Englander’s version. Nice views of a sunny Kiloran Bay, but also a few other places:

Colonsay with a drone, by Tom Englander

I hope you enjoyed the views!

Bike tricks on Colonsay

Colonsay Excursions

I’m not sure if Danny MacAskill has been to Colonsay (he has visited Islay with his bike), but I do know that someone who might one day follow in his bike tracks has. Here’s a short video of Calum showing off his skills on the beach, on the rocks, on the hills and other places on Colonsay:

Calum showing his bike skills on Colonsay

I hope you enjoyed the video, I thought it was nicely done.

Start preparing for the Walk Islay walking week 2018

Islay EventsIf I counted correctly the 16th Islay walking week will be taking place in just over two months. Starting on the 8th of April 2018 there will be 6 days of walks on Islay, Jura and Colonsay. The detailed programme will be published soon, as of writing this you can find an overview of the planned walks on the Walk Islay page.

Picture of a group of walkers near a loch (lake), a large flock of geese flying above
Walking on the Oa during an Islay walking week a few years ago

Some of the walks which caught my eye:

  • Walk 2 – Beinn Dubh and Sgorr nam Faoileann – the rarely visited eastern peaks of Islay
  • Walk 5 – Across the sea to Colonsay for a circular walk to the Arandora Star memorial and Pig’s Paradise
  • Walk 8 – Across the Sound to Jura and over the hills to Craighouse with a ride back!

Which walks caught your eye and will make you reach for your walking boots?

Cottage and ferry are booked, I’m looking forward to be back on Islay walking in the beautiful landscape. Hoping to meet many old and new friends during the walks and elsewhere!

Across Islay’s neighbour Colonsay with a drone

Colonsay ExcursionsThe first excursion to one of Islay’s neighbours since relaunching the blog and I think I’ve got a real treat for you. Jonas Igel takes us on a beautiful sightseeing tour around Colonsay with his drone, sharing some really amazing views from a two week stay: