End of the Drought
At long last, the incredible spell of good weather has met with a slight reverse.
The only serious rainfall this year has been 10.8mm on 27 January, 20.2mm on 31 January, 13.1mm on 11 February, 20.3mm on 18 February, 10.4mm on 26 February, 11.6mm on 28 February, 12.1mm on 1 March, 18.2 on 26 April, 10.2mm on 5 June and 15.7mm on 20 June.
Then on 9 August we had 18.7mm and, quite suddenly, the good weather was almost forgotten. Luckily enough there has only been a total of 14mm across the other eleven days so far in August, so all is not lost.
To be honest, quite a few people will have been pleased at the respite. The machair was badly burned, the wild flowers were beginning to struggle and the grass crops look a little less bulky than usual. A few days of uncharacteristic mist made things seem gloomy for a few days and the Barbecue at 5 Glassard has had to be postponed.
"Bairns' Bothers"
There was a full house for the recent production of "Bairns' Bothers" at the new Hall, the first play that has been staged in the new building. The play, on tour from Mull Theatre, was a translation by Bill Findlay from a French work, "Enfantillages" by Raymond Cousse and was a triumph for gifted and enthusiastic solo performer Alasdair McCrone.
The advance publicity suggested "A sort of "Jacques Tati meets Oor Wullie" in a life-enhancing tour-de-force", and was not far out. On a superficial level, the audience was invited to see the world through the eyes of a lively pre-adolescent boy and to try to fathom things out. No doubt there was a much deeper meaning, but most of us simply enjoyed the outstanding performance. Those without young children may have slightly relished the discomfiture of the rest - it seems that some of these typically French activities needed a bit of explanation afterwards.
It is to be hoped that there will be further visits by touring groups. Unfortunately the costs are higher than the achievable return on ticket sales, even with a capacity audience, and the community is most grateful to the "angel" who underwrote the cost of this production.
Construction News
No progress # 1 Glassard, but Hughie and Jenny's house is looking good and Andrew's is virtually wind-and-water tight. The new water treatment works is undergoing "snagging" and applications for the new job are about to be considered.
The Presbytery Property Convenor has inspected the church at Scalasaig with a view to arranging access for the disabled. It is a listed building, about five feet above the surrounding approaches and access must be no greater than one-in-twelve. Because the land falls way so steeply, a ramp on the saluting side would probably have to start near Glen Cottage, so another approach must be considered.
Farming News
The corncrakes and other nesting birds have enjoyed an undisturbed summer, since certain areas have been fenced off for their sole use and all harvesting was postponed until August. Now that the young birds can fend for themselves, silage making has commenced; nonetheless, wide strips are being left along all headlands and additional cover strips are being allowed to stand in the middle of the fields.
In case anybody missed our last issue, the news of Nigel and Rhona Grant's new website bears repetition. As was mentioned, they have made arrangements for their own selected lambs to be available for purchase by the retail customer - a specialist master butcher works to order and the vacuum-packed orders are despatched direct to your address. Full details of this excellent service are accessible from the Colonsay Homepage (button near the bottom), or from this link. Whilst you are on the homepage, take a look at the honey as well.
Freight Supremo Appointed
With a view to improving the service to both customers and suppliers, MacLennan Motors have appointed their own representative in Colonsay. Hitherto, CalMac staff have looked after their interests, but the enormous growth in traffic has coincided with ever-increasing demands for their services on the pier and in the office. As a result, freight arrivals in the island had become something of a "free-for-all" and it was proving impossible to maintain the paper-trail which is essential to establish proof of delivery and quality of service.
Under the new arrangements, Hughie McNeill has taken charge of the freight operation. The improved service should be to the advantage of everyone, but customers are urged to ensure that they do sign for all goods received. Certain carriers have already indicated that they will not service consignments for Colonsay unless MacLennans can guarantee to provide signed "proof of delivery" dockets. The co-operation of all islanders is essential.
The CalMac staff will work closely with Hughie to ensure the success of the new arrangements and are happy to take messages during office hours.
Snippets
CalMac carryings are well up for Colonsay, with 41 cars on the 11 August sailing; school re-opens next week; sorry to hear that Geoff has put his back out; we hear that the recent telephone disruptions led to one business receiving £600 in compensation; "Sula" is back in the water and can be available for local residents; Duncan and Margaret are fully re-established as custodians in Oransay, but James and his family are considering flitting to Islay; "Hebridean Princess" is due to berth at Colonsay on 19 August.
Nooks and Crannies: Taigh Bhoc Goibhre
Taigh Bhoc Goibhre is translated by Loder as "He-goat's Pen" but "The Billy-goat's House" might be just as good.
To find it, go from Machrins farm towards Scalasaig until you have passed the second of the two ninety-degree bends. You will notice a gully running off to your left (in fact their are two, and I think it is the second that you want). As you walk up the gully, away from the road and heading north, you will come to An Taigh Bhoc Goibhre on your righthand side, perhaps 50 metres from the road. It is a small, rectangular cave with a neat roof and entrance slab.
Back at the roadside, you may care to contemplate the gravel cairn that lies beside it. Is it a tiny raised beach? Does it cover a burial cist? Is it a wayside cairn where funerals used to pause? Any suggestions would be welcome: send a note to the Editor
Nature Notes:
Amidst the profusion of high summer activity, spare a glance for Devil's Bit Scabious, Marsh Lousewort, Red Bartsia, Knapweed and the delicate Harebell. Although dolphins have been less common close inshore, there have been hosts of gannets. Fishing folk have had plentiful supplies of mackerel, especially off Roc "George" at Glassard. There are plenty of Chiffchaffs in the gardens, but more detailed information on all our bird species can be found in an updated list, published in the magazine section of this issue.
What's On in Colonsay
There is a lot happening and it is best to look out for the notices at shop and elsewhere, but do not miss:
Brian MacNeill Concert in the New Hall, 12 August
Veronica Togneri - an exhibition of weaving at the Colonsay and Oronsay Heritage Trust gallery, Scalasaig.
An exhibition in "The Upper Room", featuring the oeuvre of a party of artists who were working in Colonsay earlier this year - details in shop.
An exhibition of work by Colonsay and Oransay artists is open before the arrival of each ferry, and is mounted in the Pier Waiting Room.
The Colonsay and Oronsay Heritage Trust is running a series of exhibitions in the Old Waiting Room, times as advertised (usually around boat time; going by past experience, these are absolutely first class and the schedule is as follows:
24th July - 3rd August Lucy McNeill Paintings
6th August - 1st September Veronica Togneri Weaving and Patchwork
3rd - 10th September Time & Place Heritage and Environment Exhibition
11th - 22nd September Kilchattan Primary School
Colonsay House Gardens are open to the public every Wednesday, and the woodland gardens are open every day.Light lunches are available on Wednesdays, with an emphasis on organic ingredients. Please note that fresh vegetables are available for sale.
There are regular BBQ's at the hotel - see notices for details.
Quiz night - every Wednesday at the hotel.
Religious Services each Sunday are at 11.00 in Church of Scotland and 12.00 in the Baptist Church. All are welcome.
The Magazine Section
Building a House in Colonsay
Chapter 5
Well, Don came back on the Sunday evening and work on the kit started in earnest on the Monday. Since then things have moved on a-pace. By the end of the week the outside walls were up, the first floor joists were in place and those inside walls that are part of the main structure were in. Only one slight snag with this was that somehow the chimney appears to be not quite where expected in relation to the timber-work. But a bit of cutting here and filling-in there will cure that. The good thing is that, if it had to happen, it is in the better direction.
Monday then saw the heavy squad specially recruited (it seemed like all the Island's strong-arm men were there) to get the two purlin beams that run the full length of the house and support the roof trusses up and into position. These beams are about 36 feet long, 8 inches deep and 3 inches thick so they are no light weights. With Nigel's Matbro fork lift, a lot of grunting and heaving and a certain amount of gymnastics, swearing and cursing the job was done and putting up the roof trusses could start. Putting up the first truss showed that the kit builder and the truss builder hadn't talked together enough, but adding some 3" by 2" timber on top of the purlins sorted that problem out. When all the trusses and the gable ends were up it was time to start fitting the Velux windows into the roof. Here the next problem appeared. Someone at the kit supplier didn't read the spec properly and saw that the roof was to be covered with "Cambrian Slates". Now these are a proprietary type of roofing tile but he/she just saw "Slates" and so had sent the wrong type of flashings for the Velux units and didn't send any tile fixing battens for the roof.
Then the kitchen unit supplier tried to deliver the units to my old address near Glasgow. I don't know what the new people in the house thought but they did send them away. So that will be a delay of three weeks or so till the units can be delivered to Oban for transport out here. That will save us the problem of where to store them until needed, so no bad thing!
Apart from those boobs there have been the usual collection of minor problems but none of them have caused any hold-ups and have been solved as we go.
So now on the 12th we have the roof fully sarked, the windows fitted and the back and front doors hung. At last the house looks like a house, as the photo shows.
Letter from Colonsay, 1822
The following letter has been translated by Alastair Scouller from a very imperfect photocopy of the original. He asks that this be borne in mind, and would welcome sight of a better source. From memory, the original is in a collection at New Brunswick University, gifted by a descendant of the addressee. Further information will be welcomed.
Killechatan, Aprile 7, 1822
A Charaid Ghradhaich,
Beloved cousin,
Tha mi ga mheas 'na mhor throcair bho'n Tighearna gu bheil
I consider it a great mercy from the Lord that
An cothrom So air a bhuileachadh orm gu scriobhadh a t'ionnsuich mar
this opportunity has been granted me to write to you as
A dhiarr thu orm anns an litir a scriobh thu di 'mionnsuidh, ni thug mor
you asked me to in the letter you wrote to me, which gave me great
Thoilinntin dhomh le chluinntinn gu robh thu fein agus do theaghlach
pleasure to hear that you and your family
Maille ri do Chairdean nar Slainte - mar an ceudna, tha mi ro thaitneach
together with your cousins (friends) are in good health - also, I am very glad
Do'd Litir do bhri gu bheil mi tuigsin gu bheil thu a ginnseadh na
to have your letter because I understand that you are telling the
firinn mu thimchiol an aite, oir tha moran do Leitirichean a tighinn an so
truth about the place, for there are many letters coming here
Bho chuid do na chaich a-nunn, nach 'eil idir a' ginnseadh na firinn -
from some of those that went across, that do not tell the truth at all -
Oir tha cuid a tha ga mholladh gu h-anabarrach agus cuid eile a tha
for there are some that are praising it a great deal and others that are
Ga dhiteadh air an doigh cheadna, air chor is gu bheil iad a [mearachd?]
condemning it in the same way, to the extent that they are both [in error?]
araon. Fhuair mi air Nuaidheachd le Iain Mac Alastair [ruaidh?]
I got your news from [Red?] Alastair's son John [or, John MacAllister].
Bha e g'innseadh gu robh Sibh na air Slainte uile agus is ait leamsa
He was saying that you are all well, and I am glad
Sin a chluinntinn; - tha mi fiosrach gu bheil thu gabhail fadail
to hear that; - I am conscious that you are getting impatient
Achionn nach do Scriobh mise di t'ionnsuidh roimhe so: Ach dheith [dh'fheith]
because I have not written to you before now. But I waited
mi gus a nis dh'fheuchain am bitheadh ni air bith ùr agam ri /radh/ ruit --
until now to see whether there would be anything new to tell you
Mu thimchiol mo laimhe - cha 'neil mi comasach air obair air bith
about my hand - I am not able to do any kind of work
a dheanamh leatha fathast, oir ma ni air bith leatha, bithidh
with it yet, because if I do anything at all with it, it is
I fior dhraghail dhomh [.... ....] do thaobh mo Shlainte chorpora
really troublesome for me [.... ....] regarding my physical health
Cha'neil aobhar ghearain agam taing do'n Tighearna tha m'athair
I have no cause for complaint, thank the Lord; my father
a gleidheadh a Shlainte fathast ach tha e a dol air ais gu mor na
is still keeping his health, but he has declined a lot in
Spionnadh, agus na dhreach; tha fuachd a chas a cur moran dragh air
strength, and in his appearance; the coldness in his leg troubles him greatly
Anns an oidhche, tha e h'uile latha g'obair. Cha'n fhan e na thamh idir.
at night. He is working every day. He won't stay still at all.
Bha mo mhuime fior bhreoit anns an fhogharadh so chaidh seachad
My stepmother was really frail this autumn just past
Agus annsa Gheamhradh cuideachd. Cha robh duil again gu bitheadh i beo
and in the winter as well. We didn't think she would survive,
Ach bho chionn Seachduinn tha i 'g eiridh na huile latha; tha chuid
but for a week now she has been getting up every day; the rest
eile do'n chuideachd na Slainte. Taing don Tighearna air a shon --
of the company are well. Thank the Lord for it!
Feudaich thu innseadh do Nial mo bhrathair, gu do Phos Alastair (ni a
You may tell Neil my brother, that Alastair got married (something that
Chuireas moran iongantas air, nuair a chluinneas se e;- Phos e
will greatly surprise him, when he hears it). He married
Flora nic Phail, nighean Aonghais mhic Phail a bha ann am baillera-
Flora MacPhail, the daughter of Angus MacPhail who used to be in
-ominn mor - tha a nis ann an [Oransa ?] agus is ann an Sin a tha
Balerominmore - he is now in [Oronsay?] and that is where
Alastair cuideachd, a g'obair air Cairtearachd agus a' treabhadh nuair
Alastair is as well, working at cart-driving and ploughing when
A bhios e ri dheanamh. Ach bha e san tsamhradh so chaidh
there is any to be done. But this last summer he was
Annsa Chelp, Air chor is gu bheil e gle chosmhuil nach faic
at the kelp, so that it is quite likely that
Alastair agus Nial a cheile an drast............
Alastair and Neil will not see one another now.........
PAGE TWO
Oir is usadh do dhuine gun phosadh dol do'n aite Sin na do fhear posda.
for it is easier for an unmarried man to go there than for a married man.
Ach chuala mi an de gu do bhathadh Mr. McCribhain air aiseag Cholla,
But I heard yesterday that Mr McNiven [?] was drowned on the Coll ferry,
E fein agus Ceithir ghillean maille ris, Seadh an duine Sin a bha toirt
himself and four lads with him - yes, that man who was taking
Dhaoine nunn do America. - -{ Phos mar an ceudna Aonghas Brown
people over to America. -- Also, Angus Brown got married to
Agus Mairi nic Phaidean. -- {Phos Padraic Caimbeul agus Barabra
Mary MacFadyen. -- Peter Campbell and Barbara
nic Mhuirich. Seadh nighean Donuil mhic Nail an Killichatan.
Currie got married. Yes, the daughter of Donald McNeill [or, son of Neil] in Kilchattan.
Bha iad so agus Alastair a Posadh 'n aon latha, dlu air naoi seachduin [/...]
They and Alastair were married the same day, close on nine weeks
Do ùine anis. -- Bha 'n ge(a)mhradh so chaidh seachad, anabarach Stoirm/eal
ago now. -- This past winter was very stormy
Againne air feadh na rioghachd so, Bha soithichean air am bristeadh
for us throughout this country. There were vessels wrecked
Ann a moran a dhaithibh, bha ti deug air an cuir air tir ann loch na daile
in many places. There were thirteen driven aground in Loch Indaal
An aon oidhche. -- Bha brig air a bristeadh ann an eilean na ron
the same night. -- There was a brig wrecked on Eilean nan Ron
An Orasa mu dha uair dheug do oidhche air 16/th Febr. 1822. bha na daoine
in Oronsay around twelve o'clock at night on 16 February 1822. The people
Air bord gu ochd uairean sa mhaidin Agus an Sin Smuaintich
were on board until eight o'clock in the morning, and then
An Caiptin gu Snamhadh e gu tir agus ghabh e ball caol agus
the captain thought he would swim ashore and he took a thin rope and
ghabh e sios le toiseach an t'shoithich do'n fhairge agus am ball na
went down by the bow of the vessel into the sea with the rope
Bhail [?] aig, shnamh e gu caolas doahain bha gabhail seachad o thir
[slung around him?], he swam to a deep channel that came out from the land
Agus b'ann air a tharruing a bha aige a ' snamh, ni nuair aranaig se e
and he was dragging it as he swam, which when he reached it
Air do'n t'sruth greim fhaotuin air bhuail e fuidh e , chunnaic iad e,
and the current got a hold of him it [pulled him under ?], they saw him [it?]
Dol mu'n cuairt, agus tharuing iad am ball agus thanuig e leo falamh [?]
going round, and they pulled the rope and it came in empty[?]
Cha 'n fhac iad Sealladh dheth tuillidh, beagan na dhèigh Sin thanaig
They got no further sight of him. Shortly after that
Daoine bho thighean oransa agus bann le h'eiginn a chaidh iad dhionnsuidh
people came from the Oronsay houses, and with difficulty they made their way towards
An t'shoithich agus thug iad aisde na daoine. Agus air dhoibh dol
the vessel and got the people out of her. And when they had got
Air tur leig an Suppercargo bha aca e fein air ghluinibh air
ashore their super-cargo [passenger] went down on his knees on
Na creagan agus rinn e Urnuigh ris an Tighearna a nochdadh a thaing-
the rocks and prayed to the Lord to show his gratitude
--ealachd do'n tighearna arson gu do Shaor Se e o ghabhadh na f....[fairge?]
to the Lord for releasing him from the peril of the [sea?]
Be an luchd bha aca eudaichean bhan, agus fhear, agus iaran, agus
The cargo they had was women's and men's clothing, and iron [tools?], and
Creadh, no mar is fearr a thuigeas thu, Soithichean Creàdha --
clay [ware], or as you will understand better, china dishes.
Cha do Shabhaladh ach [aon...han?] bata beag, do'n luchd.....
All that was saved from the [cargo?] was [one small boat's ...] (or, one small ... boat)
Bha mise f...... ....... Tha e ri bhi ga Ropadh a maireach
I was [..... .....] It [presumably, the crop] is to be tied with ropes tomorrow
Ann an Kiloran. -- Tha an taite so fior ghann air a bhliadhna
in Kiloran. This place is really short [of food] this year.
So bha foghara anabarach fliuch agus stoirmeil, agus bha a
The autumn was very wet and stormy, and the
Samhradh cho tioram agus gu do Chaoinich am fear anns a'n talam/h
summer so dry that the hay dried in the ground
Saor o aitean a bha fior fhliuch. Ach ge do tha 'n duthich so mar sin
apart from places that were really wet. But although this area is like that
C/h/aneil an rioghachd mar sin, no na heilinibh mun cuairt dith. --
the country [as a whole] is not, nor the islands round about it.
Cha robh biadh ni bu phailte o cheann moran ùine na tha e an drast!
Food was not more plentiful for a long time than it is at present!
Air feadh na rioghachd so, Cha'neil a mhin 's fearr os cionn Pund sasanach am
Throughout this country, the best meal is not above a pound sterling a
Bolla, agus tha nithibh eile do reir sin; -- Tha mi bronach a son Chatrio...
boll, and other things are similar. I am sad for Catriona,
Nighean Nail, thaobh mar a thachair dhith leis an fhuachd san
Neil's daughter, because of what happened to her with the cold.
A chaill i pairt do na casan; [air chor is gu bheil mi tuigsinn, gu bheil e
She lost part of her feet. [ Copy not clear: so that I can understand that it is
fior dheuch... do dhuine ... ... ... an fhuachd a th'ann. Ach daoine
a real trial for someone... ... ... the cold. But people
A fhuair an ... fearuinn ma stoc agus ma bhar aon nuair, mar tha ]
who got their ... land concerning stock and a crop once, as ]
Sibhse a nis [bi?] thu ùine fhada ann. faodaich sibhse tighinn beo air
you now have, you [will be] there for a long time. You can live on
Cinneas an fearain fein. tha cosnadh air dol air ais ann an sin agus
the produce of the land itself. Employment has declined there and
Ann an so cuideachd; is doilich leam Callum oir tha mi cluinntinn
here as well. I am sorry for Calum, because I hear
Gu bheil e cosmhuil gu caill e a fearan sin a tha iad .... ...
that it is likely that he will lose that land that they ... ...
[San lagh do ... ... Cha'neil ]moran fiudhair agamsa /dol/ do'n aite
[Copy not clear: ?in the law to ... ] I do not have much hope of going over there
Sin do [bhrigh gu bheil ?] mo lamh ... arson obair ....
[Copy not clear: because my hand is ... (not fit?) for work ...]
PAGE THREE
Cha bhiodh e ach neamh chosmhuil dhomhsa, nuair a tha daoine laidir
It would be merely unlikely for me, when strong,
Coingeis toileach tighinn dhachaidh agus air fagail, Ach cha'n e sin uile e,
independent, happy people are coming home and have left. But that is not all;
Oir na am bithinnsa coingeis cha tilleadh sin mi, chaneil /mi/ a deanamh
because if I were independent I would not return there. I am not doing
Ni air bith do thaobh mi laimhe, ach tha duil agam gu bi Sgoil
anything at all on account of my hand, but I hope that I will be
Ghailic ri fhaotuin agam gu goirid, air neo sgoil bheurla. Scriobhaich
able to get a Gaelic school shortly, or an English (language) school. I will write
Mi gu goirid a dh'ionnsuidh Nail mo bhrathair agus cluinnidh thu
shortly to my brother Neil and you will hear
[Anuair ?] sin ciod is cor dhomhsa nis fearr nas urrain mi innseadh
then how I am getting on, better than I can tell
Dhuit an drast. Tha m'athair a cur a bheannachd do tionnsaidh
you at present. My father sends greetings to you
Agus do theaghlaich maille ri do chairdean uille gu harraid mor
and your family together with all your friends, especially
Bhan. Tha mo mhuime labhairt air an doigh cheudna ---
Fair Morag. My stepmother is speaking in the same terms.
Tha i bronach o chuala i mu bhas Ghilleaspuig Bhlue -----
She is sad since she heard of Archibald Blue's death.
Siad na daoine mu dheireadh a fhuair bas ann an so Nial Mac
The last people to die here were Neil Galbraith
A bhreatanaich agus bean Nail Mhic a ghobhan anns an Riasgbhui [dhe]
and the wife of Neil Smith in Riasg Buidhe.
Tha Donnchadh ban a cur a bheannachd gu tionnsuidh, chaneil e tighinn
Fair Duncan sends greetings to you; he is not getting
Air aghaidh na Shlainte eidir, - Cha'neil aon duine 'n coslas bais 'n so
on very well in health at all. There is not a single person who looks like dying here
N' drast - Tha do Chairdean uile na Slainte co fada 's is aithne
at present. All your relations (friends) are well as far as
Dhomhsa; - bu mhiann leam a nis mo ghuth a chaochladh agus
I am aware. Now I would like to change my tone and
Sinn a labhairt mu thim [chioll] nithe feumal oir tha mi cluinntin
for us to talk about useful things, for I hear
Gu bheil thu gabhail Speis [do ?] Ughdar na Slainte Shiorruidh
that you have regard for the Author of Eternal Salvation.
Continues in English, in a markedly different tone (possibly copied from a tract?).
.... ....
.... ....
My Dr. Sr. your friend & Most humble Servt
Malcolm Mun
(Translation by Alastair M. Scouller, Colonsay, 27.8.97)
Editor's note: This letter gives a great deal of information. As everone knows, china from the wrecked ship is still being washed ashore (the blue and white is reputedly lucky, and waveworn scraps may be found in small bowlfulls in many a Colonsay home).
The weddings took place on 26 January 1822, and we can clarify Barbra Currie's unsullied origins: the parochial record shows her "christianing" on 12 September 1800, the daughter of Donald Currie and Anabella Currie. From the letter, we now know that her father's father was called Neil.
The Munns were based at Port Mor, and were famous weavers. Some of their equipment is in a museum collection at Glasgow, but members of the family carried their craft into the New World. A later member of the family (married to Barbara Campbell of Homefield) was injured whilst felling a tree in Bruce County and became a tailor.
Mr. MacNiven operated from Tobermory and was an emigration agent, acting for reputedly clean and comfortable ships. I have been unable to confirm this drowning incident, although possibly it took place and affected a father or brother of Archibald MacNiven, who was still going strong in the late 1830's. One unhappy customer was an anonymous poet, quoted in "The Emigrant Experience" (MacDonell, Toronto 1982):
Muinntir Uidhist 'rinn an eucoir
Uile gu leir 'n uair a ghluais iad;
Thug iad an cuid do Mhac Naoimhein
Gus an cur a thir an fhuachda...
The people of Uist made a mistake,
all of them, when they moved;
they gave their possessions to MacNiven,
to bring them out to the land of cold...
Any reader with further information about the above, or with access to other early letters, is invited to get in touch with the Editor
Colonsay's Early Emigrants
Once again the updated version of this article has had to be held over, but will include a few additional references.
The author has been away at a family reunion in Wexford and is struggling to catch up. An unfortunate keystroke on his return rendered over 130 emails as "read"; some had been on the long finger awaiting a chance for a considered reply and they are no longer identifiable. If you are awaiting a response, please feel free to write again, as it may take many months for your message to resurface otherwise.
Work has now started on a simple register of identified individuals, giving the date of emigration and other salient details, which will be listed on a webpage accessible from "The Corncrake". A facility will be provided whereby any reader will be able to associate his or her own contact details with any given individual in whom they are interested. It is hoped that it will enable researchers to contact one another readily.
New Birdlist by D. Jardine
Checklist & Status
Checklist & Status
This checklist gives details of the whole range of species that have confirmed records for Colonsay and Oronsay since 1975. In total 192 species have been noted during this period and species are being added annually as more birdwatchers visit the islands.
Please pass on details of your records which show a change in the status of any species to the Argyll County Bird recorder or email them to the author @ dcjardine@FreeUK.co.uk.
Key to Abundance and Status
Abundance Status
No of birds per year
Abundant > 10,000 A Breeder B
Common 1001 – 10,000 C Previously Bred HB
Well Represented 101 – 1000 WR Passage Migrant P
Uncommon 11 – 100 UC Winter Visitor WV
Rare 1-10 R Vagrant V
Extremely Rare < 1 ER
Red-throated Diver U B
Black-throated Diver R P
Great Northern Diver U WV
Little Grebe U B
Red-necked Grebe ER V
Slavonian Grebe R WV
Fulmar C B
Great Shearwater ER V
Sooty Shearwater U P
Manx Shearwater WR P
Storm Petrel U PM
Leach’s Petrel ER V
Gannet C P
Cormorant U WV
Shag WR B
Grey Heron U B
Mute Swan ER P
Whooper Swan U WV
Pink-footed Goose R WV
White-fronted Goose WR WV
Greylag Goose WR B
Snow Goose ER P
Canada Goose U B
Barnacle Goose WR WV
Brent Goose R P
Shelduck U B
Wigeon U WV
Gadwall ER WV
Teal WR B
Mallard WR B
Pintail R WV
Garganey ER V
Shoveler R HB
Pochard U WV
Tufted Duck U B
Scaup R WV
Eider WR B
Long-tailed Duck R WV
Common Scoter R WV
Goldeneye U WV
Smew ER V
Red-breasted Merganser U B
Goosander R WV
Honey Buzzard ER V
White-tailed Eagle R WV
Hen Harrier U WV
Sparrowhawk U B
Buzzard WR B
Golden Eagle R B
Osprey ER P
Kestrel R HB
Merlin U HB
Peregrine U B
Red Grouse R HB
Red-legged Partridge R HB
Quail ER V
Pheasant WR B
Water Rail R B
Spotted Crake ER V
Corncrake U B
Moorhen R HB
Coot R HB
Oystercatcher WR B
Ringed Plover WR B
Killdeer ER V
Dotterel ER V
American Golden Plover ER V
Golden Plover WR WV
Grey Plover R P
Lapwing WR B
Knot R P
Sanderling U WV
Little Stint ER P
Curlew Sandpiper ER P
Purple Sandpiper R WV
Dunlin WR B
Ruff ER P
Jack Snipe R WV
Snipe WR B
Woodcock U B
Black-tailed Godwit U P
Bar-tailed Godwit U WV
Whimbrel U P
Curlew WR WV
Redshank WR B
Greenshank U WV
Green Sandpiper ER P
Wood Sandpiper ER P
Common Sandpiper WR B
Turnstone U WV
Grey Phalarope ER P
Pomarine Skua ER P
Arctic Skua U P
Great Skua R P
Little Gull ER V
Sabine’s Gull ER V
Black-headed Gull U B
Common Gull WR B
Lesser Black-backed Gull WR B
Herring Gull C B
Iceland Gull R WV
Glaucous Gull ER WV
Great Black-backed Gull WR B
Kittiwake A B
Sandwich Tern R P
Common Tern U B
Arctic Tern WR B
Little Tern R B
Black Tern ER V
Guillemot A B
Razorbill C B
Black Guillemot WR B
Little Auk R WV
Puffin R P
Rock Dove WR B
Stock Dove ER V
Woodpigeon U B
Collared Dove U B
Turtle Dove ER B
Cuckoo U B
Barn Owl ER WV
Tawny Owl ER V
Long-eared Owl R B
Short-eared Owl ER V
Swift R P
Great Spotted Woodpecker ER HB
Skylark C B
Sand Martin R P
Swallow U B
House Martin R HB
Tree Pipit ER P
Meadow Pipit A B
Rock Pipit WR B
Yellow Wagtail ER P
Grey Wagtail R WV
Pied Wagtail WR B
Waxwing ER WV
Dipper R P
Wren C B
Dunnock WR B
Robin C B
Redstart ER P
Whinchat U B
Stonechat WR B
Wheatear WR B
Ring Ouzel ER P
Blackbird WR B
Fieldfare WR WV
Song Thrush C B
Redwing WR WV
Mistle Thrush U B
Grasshopper Warbler R B
Sedge Warbler U B
Reed Warbler ER V
Lesser Whitethroat ER V
Whitethroat U B
Garden Warbler R HB
Blackcap R B
Wood Warbler R HB
Chiffchaff U B
Willow Warbler C B
Goldcrest WR B
Spotted Flycatcher U B
Pied Flycatcher ER P
Long-tailed Tit ER V
Coal Tit WR B
Blue Tit WR B
Great Tit U B
Treecreeper U B
Chough U B
Jackdaw WR B
Rook R WV
Hooded Crow U B
Raven U B
Starling C B
House Sparrow WR B
Chaffinch WR B
Brambling ER WV
Greenfinch U B
Goldfinch R P
Siskin U P
Linnet WR B
Twite WR B
Redpoll U B
Common Crossbill R P
Bullfinch R HB
Scarlet Rosefinch ER V
Snow Bunting R WV
Yellowhammer R HB
Reed Bunting U B
Red-headed Bunting ER V
Corn Bunting ER V
Website to explore:
Clan Macfie is always of interest to Colonsay folk, and we receive many requests for contact details. Visit the Clan MacFie Home Page at http://www.orishanet.com/clanmacfie/ for further information.
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