COLONSAY DIARY

Every picture....

A run of wild weather in early October led to very little damage or disruption, although on Monday 6th the ferry remained overnight and picked up the service almost on schedule next day. The ferry timetable for 2004 has novel features - the Friday ferry is an hour earlier, and the Wednesday ferry has a seasonal slant. In the shoulder periods, it is to follow the 2003 pattern, but in high summer it will allow Colonsay folk to spend 90 minutes ashore in Oban (full details are on our website under "Getting There" button). Andrew MacGregor has produced a version which includes mainland connections - it would not reproduce here, but he will happily provide copies on request.

Work on the new fuel pumps is going well, and the plans have been amended to further increase capacity, thus minimising the freight overheads. When the old tank was removed, it was discovered that there had been a leak in the delivery hose but, sadly, this was not felt to be sufficient to explain the losses encountered under the old "honesty" system. The losses have not been publicly quantified, but are believed to have been substantial. Perhaps evaporation was the problem, but tight security will surround the new operation, including the use of CCTV linked to a video-recorder.

Unconfirmed rumour suggests that tenants have come forward for both the new workshop units. Bruno and Laura and family have now flitted to their new house at Cnoc na Fad, and Laura's sister Pauline and her children have moved into Squint Street. The Butcher's new house at Parc Stroyan is wind and watertight, the "Alamo" (the new water tank at Abhain nan Totaichean) has been partially landscaped, and BT have erected a large number of new poles in connection with their new underground cabling(??).

The island fell victim to a powerful bug in the second half of October; symptoms seem to involve a heavy fever lasting two or three days, accompanied by loss of appetite and energy. Victims tended to comprise individuals of normally robust constitution, mostly males; goodness knows where it came from, but those who got it were far from pleased and it is to be hoped that the outbreak has now run its course.

It has been announced that Colonsay is to be ejected from Initiative at The Edge, on the grounds that all work has been completed and everything is hunky-dory now. Some of us remember that the original aim was to ensure joined-up thinking and an inclusive policy by public agencies active in this community… and all of us can confirm that it has never happened. Entertainingly, neither the relevant agencies nor the community itself were even consulted on the decision to throw us out!

Argyll & Bute Council have now allocated the funds required to establish an air-service linking Colonsay, Coll, Connel and Glasgow from 2005; it will probably be financially viable but at worst might cost as much per decade as Concorde used to cost taxpayers per day, and with considerably less sulphur dioxide. This service will bring outstanding benefits to us all and is warmly welcomed. Obviously it will be a boon to the Health Service, and also to those providing or enjoying professional or technical services - so that includes everybody. It will also be invaluable for business purposes - even in this digital age, very few businesses can operate in complete physical isolation from suppliers, customers and peer groups. Furthermore, taken over time, there will be few of us who do not avail of the service for some private purpose - perhaps a missed ferry, a relative or friend taken ill, the chance to attend a special event. Hooray, something for everyone…. and giving splendid scope for the Old Curmudgeons to get gurning in spades.

Hallowe'en saw no less than fifteen guizers in full regalia out and about in Colonsay - they looked pretty alarming, their song had a heart-stopping finale, and their jokes were simply dire. Q. "What's black, slimy, floats and shouts "Knickers!"?" A. "Crude oil!"

The Annual Young Farmers Dinner and Show was a great success, as ever; the organisers and all who participated deserve our hearty thanks for a magnificent contribution towards island life. The Editor was unable to attend, but Lucy Johnstone kindly supplied these pictures:

 

AIE INVESTMENT DECISIONS

Follow this link to see AIE approvals for business and enterprise, August 2003.

THE HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

This project has slowed somewhat. CCDevCo asked a sub-committee to investigate possible improvements and to report back (Andrew MacGregor (Vice-Chairman), Alex Howard (Board Member), Kevin Byrne (shareholder and Port Supervisor). The sub-committee is keen to promote a programme of improvements and a number of suggestions have already been made. These are summarised below and it may be that readers would like to make contributions of their own. Meantime, the sub-committee is hoping to gain by considering a number of highly successful projects which have already been completed, as at Carnlough, Ballycastle and Port Ellen.


Revenue earning, with immediate results:

1. Sale of diesel fuel.
Because you cannot buy fuel within 30 miles of Colonsay, this would attract a lot of pleasure craft. Such a facility would prove particularly attractive to Rigid Inflatable Boats, which involve low-impact, high-spending crews. The facility to be available at High Tide only, minimising staffing problems, maximising security and encouraging boats to spend a little time (and money) locally.

2. Short-term moorings at the Perch.
Crews need to feel that their boat is secure before they can relax to enjoy the island and its facilities. RIBs must not dry out, and should be free-floating to minimise abrasion etc. Crews must be able to get safely ashore close to the mooring. It is envisaged that (say) six moorings be provided, restricted to (say) 36hrs. use, possibly together with a suitable dinghy for use by RIBs. A landing pontoon would be provided at Eilean Dambh, from which a pathway would lead to the public road opposite the shop.

3. Longer-stay moorings at Loch Staoisnaig
Some visitors might wish to extend their stay, exploring Colonsay itself or possibly using it as base for cruising in the area. They would be encouraged to avail of (say) six moorings in Loch Staosnaig. Simple mooring rings might also be provided for their dinghies on the shore, plus a modest signpost leading to the track and onwards to the public road at the hotel (c. 400 metres).


Harbour improvements, long-term benefits:

The harbour was built in 1806 but never completed; work was finally abandoned in 1939, and to the present day less than 20% of the harbour can be used. Much of the rock had already been broken and stacked by 1939 and the remaining work could easily be completed within days by the use of modern equipment. The rock itself can be re-cycled by the use of gabion-cages, enabling unskilled persons to create giant building blocks (as at Easdale and elsewhere). Surfaces might well be blinded by a concrete finish, particularly on walkways; wooden pilings can be used as facings or in isolation to permit vessels to dry out. Note that the increasing popularity of Colonsay early retirement and second-homes has implications for harbour use, and the existing tourism sector shows a steady increase in trailer-craft. In order to protect these vital sectors, appropriate infrastructure must be provided.

1. Put a smooth concrete surface on the sloping rock surface beside the mole, so as to provide a drying berth for inspection, anti-fouling and for use in emergencies.
2. Complete the removal of rock from the basin, using it and the existing stacked rock as a resource to create new structures.
3. New structures to consist of a wall or quay to give access to the south side of the harbour, plus two right angled structures or "L" shapes running out from that quay to provide berthing for an additional six craft up to (say) 35ft.
4. Pontoon or floating-walkway running from Potter's Shed out to the seaward end of the (modern) launching slip in the inner harbour, to provide easy access to dinghies, row-boats etc.
5. Running -moorings or trots between (modern) launching slip in the inner harbour and the existing harbour wall, to accommodate (say) 8 boats up to 16ft.
6. Consider using pilings to permit bow-in berthing parallel with the knuckle, thus increasing capacity from three-and-a-half to perhaps seven boats of about 35ft.

NOOKS & CRANNIES: Rudha Choilich

Rudha Choilich, near the west end of Loch 'n Iar is opposite Mull Dubh, and beside the deepest part of all Loch Fada (about 25 feet, according to Murdoch McNeill). The reference is to the white-heads which are so often to be seen on the water at that point, obviously reminiscent of a coxcomb. Oddly enough, whilst "Coilich" means both "cock" and "rapids" etc., the Scots Gaelic word for "coxcomb" is given as "cirean" or "sgeamhanach".

Incidentally, the dictionary gives Irish as "Cailech" and Welsh "ceiliog"; followers of trivia will instantly recognise the latter as "Kellog" and remember the logo on their cornflake packets. As luck would have it, our photograph shows the spot in mirror-calm conditions.

TELEVISION CARDS

The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers reports that as a result of negotiations between MP David Stewart (member for Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber) with Andrew McIntosh, Minister for Media & Heritage at Westminster the following statement was issued:

"I have been told those people who currently have a non-subscription satellite viewing card and who wish to continue receiving the commercially funded public service channels without paying a subscription to Sky or another pay TV broadcaster will be able to get a new card.

They will be offered the opportunity to buy a viewing card for around £20. These I believe will last for at least two years."

"Although there is to be a charge, I hope constituents will see this as a compromise and a better solution than having to pay a large amount to Sky or not being able to access programmes."

Viewers should respond to the on-screen message but refuse all attempts to be persuaded to subscribe to any other deal. Unless of course they fancy an additional dose of sport, pop-music, repeats and pornography.

WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY

Sunday 2 November: Flora McNeill's 85th birthday - many happy returns from one and all!

Tuesday 11 November: Golden Wedding anniversary of Walter and Ena Williams

Boat Trips - private hire only in winter. Call 01951 200320

 
Pictures by Colin Woolf

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 in each church on a regular basis throughout the winter - see notices in the shop and hotel for further details.

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

Clan Macfie will be holding its 15th International Gathering and 9th Clan Parliament in Inverness from 6th to 11th September 2005. This will be followed immediately by a Clan visit to the historic homeland the Islands of Colonsay and Oronsay.
Dates for the Colonsay visit are (subject to CalMac timetables in 2005) arrive on Sunday 11th September, depart on Wednesday 14th September or later should members so wish.
All Clan members have been notified that they are individually responsible for arranging their own accommodation reservations and payments.
Further details from: Clan Macfie Secretariat Email: macfie@austarnet.com.au
Clan Macfie Home Page address: http://www.orishanet.com/clanmacfie/

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.

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From Gregory McNeill:

don't forget that Colonsay has already taken it's place in the world of weblogs as can be seen at

http://www.bryanbell.com/manilasThemes/Colonsay

pip pip

[I did have a look, but could not make head nor tail of it… perhaps readers can explain? - Editor]

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Hi Kevin
Here is the picture taken at our wedding last month, as promised.

We would like to thank Diane and yourself, and everyone who participated in making our week special. We very much enjoyed staying at Machrins, and hope to come back next year. Our thanks again, and we hope to see you all again soon

Helen & Robbie Meldrum

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Hi Kevin & Christa

I've just had an interesting ring recovery for a bird from Colonsay which might be helpful for the Corncrake.

It was a Common Sandpiper chick ringed on the beach at Port Mor on 17 June 1999 - it was only a few days old. On 14 April it was captured at Salobrar de Campos in Southern Mallorca in the Balearics. I presume that it was migrating north from wintering grounds in Africa. This site is 1970km from Colonsay...a great journey for what was a ball of fluff when the ring was fitted. Apparently this is only the 9th British recovery from Spain and the first from the Balearics.

Hope you are all well
Regards
David Jardine

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From Susan Taylor:

Dear Kevin -
Just a short note to ask if you could pass on my thanks to everyone on Colonsay. I am very grateful to everyone for all the cardsand phone calls but, most of all after my recent visit to the island, all the love, care and concern shown to me by everyone.

Nick, Derek and I chose so well when we decided to build our home in Colonsay and I still intend to return as much as I can. This was confirmed to me on my recent visit with my sister-in-law, Yvonne. I still hope to retire to the island, as Nick wanted us to do.

Thank you for your kind comments in "The Corncrake" and I hope that you will be able to publish my thanks. Such kind people have been a great help to me at this terrible time and I am so pleased that I was able to return to the Island and find the peace and reassurance I was looking for -
Best wishes, Susan Taylor

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I really enjoyed reading The Corncrake. It reminds me of our wonderful trip to Colonsay in 1996,it was only for a week but it has never left me. We stayed at Pondside,walked all over, and met some great people.

Can't wait to return
Campbell Mcphee

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The Magazine Section

Instructions are supplied, but two hints may help:
1. When using phrases, enclose them in quotation marks. For example, [lifting stone] will get you every instance of [lifting] or [stone] but ["lifting stone"] will get you what you want.
2. When you see the results, they may seem unlikely. This is because many documents (e.g. each issue of The Corncrake) are in reality just one single "page", covering many unrelated topics. No problem! Open the page, then go to the "Find (on this page)" option at the top of your screen, on a drop-down menu presented by the second button from the left. Type in the word you seek and hey-presto, it is highlighted for you. Note that you must give the page time to load (an issue of The Corncrake takes up to a minute), also that there may be more than one example on the page, so use the "Find (on this page)" function again to check that you have not missed anything.

"AFTER THE ICE" by Steven Mithen

Colonsay residents will remember Steven Mithen, whose extensive researches in Colonsay revealed the extraordinary Mesolithic settlement at Loch Staosnaig, dated to barely 1,000 years after the retreat of the glaciers. It will be remembered that he and his team produced fascinating educational material, gave valuable lectures and guided tours, and (rather annoyingly) de-bunked The Giant's Grave.

His latest publication is entitled "After the Ice - A Global Human History 20,000 - 5000 BC" and is of a work of astounding breadth and ambition. As the name suggests, it reviews exactly what was going on in the period following the Last Glacial Maximum, continent by continent. For continuity, he has a time-travelling "Everyman" in the Decameron tradition; this ploy can be rather awkward, but after the first chapter or two it proves to be very successful and enables the author to add the light and shade which is essential to his purpose.

At first, one might fear that a work of this nature would be highly technical, or else dumbed-down to the level of a BBC production; such fears would prove unfounded. Anyone who reads this book will find it thought-provoking and this reviewer freely admits that it proved mightily informative. It is bang up-to-date, reveals much anthropological and sociological detail, and is highly readable. Highlights include Chapter 22 and a reference to the "tiny settlement of Scalasaig, with its single shop and luxurious hotel…", also Chapter 17 and the effects of global warming. It would be wrong to spoil the story, but the author refers to temperature changes such as we may experience in our lifetime… it is hard to imagine "more than 17,000 cubic kilometres of sediment" which was dumped within hours along the east coast of Scotland.

This brief chapter is extraordinarily impressive, as is his final one. Steven Mithin chooses to close his work with a quotation from John Lubbock, 1865; hopefully he will not mind it being repeated here: "Even in our own time we may hope to see some improvement, but the unselfish mind will find its highest gratification in the belief that, whatever may be the case with ourselves, our descendants will understand many things which are hidden from us now, will better appreciate the beautiful world in which we live, avoid much of the suffering to which we are subject, enjoy many blessings of which we are not yet worthy, and escape many of the temptations which we deplore, but cannot wholly resist."

Write the details on a bit of paper and poke it up the chimney, or order now from Colonsay Bookshop. Published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson, ISBN 0 297 64318 5, £25.00 (10% discount to island residents).

"The Giant's Grave"

Regulars