If You Discover One Place…

It only takes a couple of hours to reach Colonsay’s perfect beaches

It has to be Colonsay with this stunning photo feature

WITH its beaches of silver sand and miles of unspoiled moorland, you’d be forgiven for thinking Colonsay was part of the remote Outer Hebrides archipelago.

This island, however, lies much closer to the mainland and two hours from Oban by ferry. Between Islay and Mull, and measuring just 16km (10 miles) by three (two miles), Colonsay entrances a steady stream of holidaymakers while maintaining its secluded charm. The highest point, Carnan Eoin, measures just 143m (469ft).

Relatively sheltered from the Atlantic storms, the island is host to a remarkably diverse array of flora and fauna. Wild goats roam the craggy hills to the west, while one of the finest rhododendron collections in Scotland can be found at Colonsay House. Kiloran Bay is the island’s best beach, with miles of silver sand and exceptional views.

The resident population currently stands at around 135, but the island has been inhabited for thousands of years. In 1995 a Mesolithic midden pit of hundreds of thousands of burned hazelnut shells was found, and carbon-dated to 6000 BC.

Boasting a microbrewery, bookshop, and numerous holiday cottages as well as stunning scenery, Colonsay is an essential entry on the island bucket list. 