COLONSAY DIARY
Alex has successfully renewed his Pilot's Licence and will be basing his 'plane at Colonsay; the island population had been swollen by almost 200 summer visitors by the end of June, and the weather has improved dramatically; the schoolchildren are on holiday at last, and rounded off their term with a trip to Islay (swimming, horse-riding etc.); computer classes are finished for the summer, but participants can continue to have assistance in their own home; the 2006 voyage to P.E.I. is still far from finalised, but a formal application to arrange a ship has now been submitted and Brian Wilson M.P. has been asked to lend support; the wild flowers in Colonsay just now have to be seen to be believed - even the marram grass is in flower just now:
BOATS - UP THE CREEK
A week of trials - "Wild Rose" developed a tricky problem with her water pump, "Sea Spray" needed new steering cable, "Heidi" got pranged by a pontoon and then "Lady Jayne" needed new exhaust hose. An expensive and very frustrating period for all concerned; "Lady Jayne" was still out of action on July 1st, but the replacement part is expected imminently.
Islanders Jasmin Brown and Morag Grant went to inspect "Columcille", a 38ft leather boat which retraced the journey of St. Columba to Iona from Derry.
FROM THE PAPERS:
No sooner had the Daily Telegraph declared Kiloran Bay a runner up in
its world's greatest beach awards than, on 14th June, it was publishing
a large feature all about Colonsay's corncrakes. Title of the article
was "Return of a dark ghost" and it was quite an upbeat piece about the
25 crexing males that were counted last year. - Roger Butler
Corra Bheinn 569m. - the companion to the Paps, this hill exhibits fascinating evidence of the most recent glaciation, 9,800 years ago.
PLANNING MATTERS
Not a scrap of additional information has yet come to light concerning the rumoured flood of objections to one specific proposed new house, but it can be confirmed that all applications are screened by the Community Council and that no application as yet has given cause for local concern. There is to be another meeting of CCC on July 7th - possibly more information will follow.
An official from Scottish Environmental Protection Agency was in Colonsay last week - he was made aware of the difficulties involved in using the internal combustion engine locally. There is every chance that this handy device may catch on, yet there is no facility for the disposal of used oil or filter cartridges etc. It is a legal requirement that such facilities be provided at every harbour in the UK and the matter is to be addressed. Meantime, SEPA wish to make it known that the coup at Bonaveh is licensed to receive old lead-acid batteries; this had not been widely known and there are small caches of abandoned batteries in various locations which can now be tidied up.
It is good to know that environmental matters can go hand-in-glove with planning arrangements; the new blockhouse built beside the mast at Scalasaig seems somewhat uncompromising -at first glance just a 12ft high slab of concrete. Closer scrutiny reveals an attention to detail - the doors have been tastefully outlined in brass, the walls have been painted green and the roof has been covered with a layer of peat and growing heather! All it needs for total authenticity is a couple of lochans on top and a closach.
TRIP TO CORRYVRECKAN & SCARBA
The expedition on 23 June went very well. Following the north Jura coast up to the Gulf, Eilean Mor was then circled in an unsuccessful attempt to see evidence of breeding Puffins. The party then continued through the Gulf and followed the Scarba coastline to a landing spot, below Kilmory Lodge.
On landing, everybody followed their own inclination - David Jardine made it right across to the western shoreline and his remarkable memories include a magnificent specimen of a juniper, with a bole more than a foot across, and growing to a height of thirty feet or more, beside a spectacular waterfall. Others made it to the summit, investigated the woodland or visited the Chapel of Kilmory. The Chapel really demands a return visit in early May - on this visit, nettles stood ten feet and more in height and the approach was through an area of extensive swamp, particularly rich in dramatic specimens of Gipsy Wort; gravestones were mostly of the eighteenth century, MacLaine, Campbell and MacLachlan being noted. On a future visit it would be good to transcribe these memorials.
The party regrouped in mid-afternoon and by passing through Bealach Coin Ghlais ("The Grey Dogs") was able to complete the circumnavigation of Scarba. Although the wildlife was less than abundant, casual sightings included a Puffin, a Storm Petrel and a Minke Whale.
A Cross-marked slab within the chapel, Scarba
WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY
Mondays 6.00 - 7.15pm, Village Hall
RAQS SHARQI - EGYPTIAN DANCE
Raqs Sharqi is the traditional women's dance of Egypt. It originates in the gypsy dances of the Middle East and North Africa. In a contemporary form it is enjoyed by women all over the world.
Classes are suitable for women of all ages and fitness levels. Raqs Sharqi is great for increasing strength and flexibility and classes take place in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. Island residents, visitors and children - all are welcome!
Miki Perkins has studied Raqs Sharqi for five years. She taught regular classes in Australia and continues to enjoy sharing this unique dance form with others. Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Saturday 12th July Ceilidh run by Village Hall Committee in aid of Hall Funds
Live music from The Highfield Band
The Highfield Band was formed over 20 years ago by Paddy and Libby Shaw from Taynuilt in Argyll. They like to have a predominantly fiddle sound, which gives the music a tremendous lift and brightness of tone, and on occasions where only a small band is required, their usual line up is two fiddles, accordion with electronic bass and piano. Their influences are The Cavendish Band and John Ellis Highland Country Band. They have played for Dances and Balls all over the U.K., including the Royal Yacht Squadron, Isle of Wight They have also played for two Ex Pat Balls in Hong-Kong, and a Burns night in Bahrain . The band started out as a family band and although two of the family now have their own band, they still play with the Highfield Band whenever possible. They specialise in Reels, Jigs and ceilidh music.
"Tides" Seafood Shop - Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 1 - 5.30pm
Colonsay House Gardens - every Wednesday and Friday afternoon; refreshments are available
Boat Trips - daily, obtain brochure at Hotel, Pantry, Shop, P.O., Bookshop or Pier.
Note: On Mondays, the service to Port Askaig connects with the Kennacraig ferry.
Quiz in the Hotel every THURSDAY at 9.30 pm.
Evening Meals: 6pm - 9pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
5pm - 9.30pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Lunches served daily 12 - 2.30pm
Bar open: 12 - 2.30 and 6pm till late (from 5pm on Friday and Sunday).
The Pantry - Summer hours apply
Tel 01951 200235
Church Service
Please note that services in both the Baptist Church and the Church of Scotland are at the new time of 11.30hrs. Services are held every Sunday in July and August in both churches - see notices in the shop and hotel for further details.
CANCELLATION - 26 July 2003
We are sorry to intimate that ever-popular musicians "Follow that Camel" are NOT now coming to Colonsay Hall on the Saturday 26th July, 2003.
They have received an offer which affords great opportunities to certain of their members and Graham Fuge has sent agonised apologies for this disappointment. But there is no need to apologise - they have given us some great nights in the past, and we hope to have more in the future. Meantime, we wish them every success and look forward to details of a later visit.
CAROLINA SCOTS CELEBRATION:
November 28 - 30 at The Fair Barn, Pinehurst, North Carolina. A commemoration of the 1803 arrival of Daniel Kelly from the Isle of Skye, but a weekend of activity that will appeal to anybody who can make it to the venue. More information on www.carolinascots.com
TOPICAL LETTERS
For convenience of readers, letters now appear in two sections. Anything to do with current events appears here, and letters to do with the Magazine section or historical research etc. will appear at the end of the Magazine section.
This weeks Sunday Herald Magazine includes a six page fashion article featuring a model wearing an assortment of bikinis and other beachwear. As far as I can see the location of the "shoot" is not given but the glimpses of rock and sea could well be Hebridean. The image shown below is scan of the sign which appears over the doorway of the bathing beauty's so-called "surf shack". - Georgina Hobhouse
The Magazine Section
