" Kiloran Bay "

Date : Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May 2006.

Occasion : Our last two days on the island.

Location : Colonsay on the Scottish west coast.

On holiday with : Ann and the two dogs.

Weather : Cold and windy to start but clearing nicely.

The Colonsay Hotel

 

Following our short visit here earlier in the week, we returned to Kiloran in order to walk over to

Balnahard Bay via the summit of Carnan Eoin, the islands's highest point with the grand height of 400 ft (143meters).

We walked across the dunes and left the Balnahard track below in order to climb to the summit.

In the distance was the coastline of Mull

In the foreground is a large open air artwork of a whale made of local stone. Passers-by were invited to add a stone to the design if they wanted to.

   
Dogs and water - a magnetic combination.
A cold and windy trig point on the summit.

Balnahard bay was reached after an interesting walk over the heather and the rough terrain.

The bay is on the top of the north western part of the island and looks up the Forth of Lorn towards distant Oban.

Another photo of this delightful sandy bay.

Across the sound are the Paps of Jura, topped by a layer of low cloud.

An artistic one for a change ?

My rucksack adds colour, and old wooded boat keel provides texture to the sandy scene.

Who put that dog there ?

Thrift or Sea Pink overlooking the top part of the bay.

Myself throwing a stick for Harry.

Bethan in a world of her own again - so what's new ?

Rabbit city.

The best smells in the area are here - if you are a dog.

The map shows an old Chapel ruin,

but the old fence fails to keep the grazing sheep away.

The small grey stone next to the middle fencepost above is in fact an old cross

We took the farm track back rather than the direct line over the high ground we used on the way over.

Colonsay is also famous for its banks of pebbles, raised beaches from a time of different sea level.

In the distance is Kiloran Headland but the grey stones ahead are the stone whale we saw earlier.

Twin flukes form his tail.

A circular grass area forms the eye of his large head.

The whole sculpture must be about 600 ft long.

The sunshine adds a sparkle to the water as we return to the bay.

Traigh Bahn (translated as the white,or blonde beach) with Carnan Eoin, the highest point of the island behind.

Sun, sea, sand and rocks. A beautiful Hebridean combination of colours

   
The river flowing through the rocks.
Colours on the sea.

A fuller panorama on this sunny afternoon.

Back to the village now and the sky has cleared

so we get a clear view of the Paps of Jura on the island opposite.

The jetty with a blue sea around it and a Trinity House helicopter above.

He was flying over to do maintenance on the small lighthouse on the headland behind.

On Sunday we tried to catch up with some of the other highlights the island has to offer.

The grounds of Colonsay House, the big mansion on the island, are open to visitors two days a week,

but the wider grounds and woods are open at any time. The Rhododendrons and Azaleas are in full bloom at present.

   
The ornamental lake and an Eucalyptus Tree behind
A fine Primular (candelabra) in the woodland.

Loch Fada

a series of three lakes that cross the northern part of the island has a fly fishing boat on it today.

After lunch we returned to the west coast and to an old coastguard look out overlooking Tobar Fuar Bay.

It was kept in remarkably good condition with glazing and a comfortable seat outside.

The view from the lookout.

Out there, beyond the one lighthouse, is America !

Down on the beach now as the Oystercatchers circle and call.

Ripples on the water from the breeze fails to distract from the crystal clear water.

Dun Gallain, another promontory fort

probably the same vintage as Dun Eibhinn visited yesterday.

Ann on Dun Gallain

The view south of Turnigil headland in the foreground,

Oronsay with the darker hill in the middle , and Jura in the far distance.

The back road is home to many of the croft houses. This one is actually the base for a local publishing company

who are responsible for publishing a big range of books by Scottish authors, and books on the islands, especially Colonsay and its neighbours.

   
A well maintained old croft house.
Ferry Suppers - must be time to be packing our bags :o(

After another fine meal at the hotel we made our way to the jetty

to catch the Sunday evening boat to Oban. The island has virtually a daily service from either Kennacraig or Oban.

10.30 pm and back to the mainland, and the evening skies of Oban,

after an excellent few days on the island.

 

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with a Canon IXUS 400 Digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . . pre booked accommodation near Oban, to save looking for one at this hour of the night.

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