Colonsay

[JumbleDuck]

It's many, many years since I have been to Colonsay. When I went there was a very infrequent ferry service, staggeringly expensive petrol and a gnomic reference in the HIDB moorings leaflet to "a boarded section of the steamer pier, to which a small charge may be levied." We spend ages trying to work out whether this meant "to which a small boat may be attached" or "for which a small charge may be made" without coming to any conclusions.

So ... what's the island like these days? The "Scottish Anchorages" website suggests that it's a lot fancier than it was, but the entries there seem to be about 5 years out of date.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

It's many, many years since I have been to Colonsay. When I went there was a very infrequent ferry service, staggeringly expensive petrol and a gnomic reference in the HIDB moorings leaflet to "a boarded section of the steamer pier, to which a small charge may be levied." We spend ages trying to work out whether this meant "to which a small boat may be attached" or "for which a small charge may be made" without coming to any conclusions.

So ... what's the island like these days? The "Scottish Anchorages" website suggests that it's a lot fancier than it was, but the entries there seem to be about 5 years out of date.

I was there a couple of years ago. A boarded section of the pier you can tie up to, but only space for 1. No moorings when I was there. The pier is owned by calmac assets & if you can find the HM & if he can be bothered he'll take a tenner off you.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I was there a couple of years ago. A boarded section of the pier you can tie up to, but only space for 1. No moorings when I was there. The pier is owned by calmac assets & if you can find the HM & if he can be bothered he'll take a tenner off you.

That sounds just like 1988, or whenever it was I went. As I recall, the pier was a bit bouncy so we tried it, gave up and anchored nearby - then watched a succession of others do precisely the same.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Not good with any east in the wind, & there have been a lot of those recently, & more to come.

 

[NormanS]

I have found Colonsay to be a disappointing place. When we went ashore, I expected there to be some information about the place, and there was nothing. The guy in the shop was good, friendly and helpful, but the hotel wouldn't let us have a shower, in a surly manner, so you can guess how much of our money they got.

A far better anchorage down at Oronsay.

 

[Kelpie]

We were there about five years ago. Part of the pier is boarded in so you can lie against it- we fitted in just behind a Moody 36, in our 27ft boat.
We had only stopped in to get water, which we were told was not available because of an argument with Scottish Water over the lack of a non return valve on the supply.
Very swelly night, despite sacrificing some towels as chafe protection we ruined one of our lines.
Seemed an interesting wee place though, and the food at the hotel was good.

 

[Mark-1]

the hotel wouldn't let us have a shower, in a surly manner, so you can guess how much of our money they got.
.

On my one visit to Colonsay I had a similar reaction from Hotel guy to a request for a shower. In spite of an exaggerated show of reluctance he let me have a shower for £6, but he was so grumpy about it I'd have preferred he to have declined in a friendly way.

I really liked Colonsay though, it had a proper 'Para Handy' feel, which is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[MM5AHO]

Last stopped there in 2012. Here's the boards... Can maybe fit three boats like this, but very susceptible to swell. Other bays offer better shelter and anchorage.

 

[Minchsailor]

Beware of a rock in the middle of the harbour when manoeuvring.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thanks very much, everyone. I'm going to put it on the list for this year, as "desirable" rather than "essential". In other words, we'll go there if a convenient opportunity arrives, but without actually beating to windward.

 

[underdog]

Tied up on the pier in Colonsay 2012

On subsequent visits have anchored round the corner in the next bay as there has been no room on the pier

 

[ctva]

The bay just south of the pier is lovely with good holding and just a five minute tender tide back to the pier to land. Nice island to visit although we never ask for a shower. Oronsay is a much nicer option.

 

[biscuit]

Scalasaig isn't a very user friendly place for yachts in my limited experience. (I won't be back in a hurry), but we are
just back from Oronsay, a most beautiful and fascinating place, especially in this lovely weather, but little or no real shelter & you have to anchor a long way out. Referring to Colonsay/ Oronsay, Hamish Haswell Smith sums it up : "There are no good anchorages"

 

[SAMYL]

I tied up there quite a few years ago and there was a notice at the head of the pier, "Backpackers wait here for the next ferry".
Not very inviting.

 

[steve yates]

Was thwere with bethfran in 2016, hotel food was good, was a bit rolly. Discovered she had strong cleats after discovering Oban 14 and spending too long in the bar, before weaving back at closing time to find her hanging from her bow lines, oops Quick climb down the ladder to find a sharp knife soon sorted it.