HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS




BREAKING NEWS:
The Isle of Coll wishes to see changes to the 2004 ferry schedule; there is to be a meeting on 11 December, at which neither they nor their representatives will be allowed to speak. As a result, they have had to content themselves with a written submission, the text of which can be accessed below.
Our Lifeline - The Isle of Coll’s Response to Caledonian MacBrayne’s Summer 2004 Timetable Proposal



COLONSAY DIARY

The school trip to Edinburgh was a huge success - they went to see Roald Dahl's "The Twits", visited the SeaWorld exhibition and sensibly ducked the Museum in favour of a session at the ice-rink. Seamus and Christine are back from China, Frank has gone south for the winter, Kevin and Christa are off to spend Christmas with Geaspar and Maghnus in Oz, and Colonsay will be welcoming many friends and relations for the Festive Season.

The new Petrol/Diesel filling station is up and running; it is very neat and unobtrusive and the landscaping has opened up rather a nice vista towards Scarba. It is possible that the community will shortly have complete control of its fossil fuel needs as CCDC has now been offered first refusal on the Calor Gas agency.



Heavy rain last weekend led to flooding at Loch Fada, and the reservoir at Loch an Sgoltaire is overflowing for the first time in months. Fortunately the rain was short-lived and the weather remains mild, sunny and mostly calm. A number of people were impressed by the rainfall last Saturday and wondered if it represented a truly wet day. Although it was the wettest day this year, at 21.4 mm it was by no means remarkable; 30 mm and more will occur every two years or so, and about 45 mm every ten years or so. For example, 46.7 mm was recorded in a single day in January 1992.

Radiant heating and a new radiator have been installed at the Parish Church, in good time for the Watchnight Service. Details will be posted up (11.30 p.m. on Christmas Eve) and, as ever, all are welcome at a service based upon the story of Christmas interspersed with all the favourite carols.

"Crumble Cottage" has been undergoing extensive reconstruction, and the external work is now nearing completion. Most of the work has been undertaken by George Brolly's brothers and their family construction business, with masonry work by Pat Gillespie. The use of Onduline for the roofing material was a very happy choice for this significant and historic building, since thatch is no longer a viable option.




It has now been confirmed that Colonsay is to receive Broadband facilities very soon. A special system is to be tailored, probably entailing one or more local wireless relays and including a "hotspot" for visitors with laptops. Cost is to be about £130 for the connection, followed by two months free service and thereafter a monthly charge of £25. It will be a boon to established businesses locally, and may well be the catalyst to attract more for the future. All arrangements are being made by agents of HIE, whose initiative in the matter is to be applauded. At least it is a start - we are told that in South Korea almost 70% of all households have Broadband already, and that the connection speeds are approaching six times the European norm.

The island's resident nurse, Marion McNeill, is departing to the mainland, and there seems to be no little difficulty in filling the post. The post has been advertised and a copy of that advertisement has been posted on the Colonsay website, accessible from the homepage - perhaps this could be the fulfilment of somebody's dream? Meantime, Dr. John Currie finds himself in an unenviable position at a very busy time of year - we have to hope that there is no interruption in the chain of temporary nursing cover which has been promised. Although Marion herself will be sadly missed, everyone wishes her well for the future and a leaving party was held for her in The Pantry, organised by clients and workers of the Social Services. A presentation was made to her at Colonsay Hotel by Keith Rutherford, on behalf of the community.



Jessie, Marion, Kate and Margaret, watched by Eleanor and Flora

EXPANDING HORIZONS

Hughie and Jenny McNeill decided some months ago to explore opportunities on the mainland, and their house is now on offer elsewhere on this site for holiday lets (Calcraig Cottage). They will be a great loss to the island, as will their three splendid children, but of course everyone wishes them the very best. The "Herald" ran a piece on the subject, and many people will have been struck by the irony of the situation, IaaO having just announced that its work here is complete and that Colonsay is to be expelled from its ranks. Bizarrely, the great and the good of IaaO are to hold a mammoth jamboree here in April, to celebrate their achievement - a shame that this family will not be here to enjoy it.

Hopefully "The Herald" will not mind a quotation from their piece by David Ross, Highland correspondent. 29 November 2003: (c) 2003 SMG Newspapers Ltd.

"He can trace his family tree back more than 250 years on Colonsay, but Hugh McNeill has had enough of island life.

Next year, with wife Jennifer and their three sons Calum, Craig and Daniel, he is heading for the mainland. They are not the first, and will not be the last. New figures published yesterday by the registrar general detail the scale of the depopulation of Scotland's islands over the past decade. In 2001, there were 3129 fewer people living on the 96 inhabited islands compared with 1991. Twice as many islands lost population as gained, fewer islanders got married, more grew older and lived alone, and 1000 left for the mainland.

Mr McNeill, 40, is planning to stand down as chairman of Colonsay community council in two weeks and leave the island where he has spent all his life. His brother, sister, and mother still live there, and Mrs McNeill was also originally from the island. She left when she was young, but came back. The McNeills know they will be statistically important in the census of 2011, but are determined to leave now.

Mr McNeill said: "Obviously I have mixed feelings, but we just thought it was time for a change. We are looking around for something, hopefully somewhere else in Argyll. There is not really anything much here for our three boys who are now seven, four, and the youngest, who is almost a year. "When I grew up, we didn't even have electricity, but now they have got the internet and know what's going on in the rest of the world. They know about Harry Potter, but they don't know about the £140 it will cost us on the ferry to take them to see the film."

Ironically, the population of Colonsay increased from 98 to 108 during the 1990s, although it was still below the 133 residents in 1981. Mr McNeill believes he can explain the rise. "The island is changing a lot. There are different people moving in, which is fine but it is just not the same. "We sat down and counted last night and there are 127 people on the island today, but apart from those children born recently, only 20-odd are Colonsay people. Of those below 60, there are only myself, and my brother and sister, who have never been away.

"Obviously, new people are welcome, but too many come and build a holiday house and decide that's it, they don't want any changes. For example, there was recent opposition to building a play-park for kids." "

[Whoops. The editor had noted the appalling state of the very expensive and beautifully equipped play-park at Ballygrant, suggesting this should be inspected by the Colonsay team before any commitment was made to a similar installation. The point being that such dereliction must surely sap local morale, and that it would cost very little to try to learn from the experience of that community. Sorry - KB]


FERRY SPECIAL OFFER

Cal-Mac have arranged a special Christmas Offer which permits two adults and a car to travel to Oban and back for just £60.00. This is a very welcome help at an expensive time of year (normal cost, using 6-journey booklets of tickets, would be £91.00). The special offer applies to journeys ex Colonsay on Friday 12th or 19th of December, returning ex Oban on Monday 15th or 22nd December.

The tickets are available from our local ticket office and staff will be very grateful if purchases could be made at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time.

NOOKS & CRANNIES - The Ouachitite Dyke

On July 8 1773, Thomas Pennant visited Colonsay and noted: "I met with no very remarkable fossils. Black talc the mica Lamallata martia is nigra of Cronsted, sect. 95, is found here, both in large detached flakes, and immersed in indurated clay."

This is perhaps the first published reference to a remarkable geological feature, evidently well-known and appreciated even at that early date unless Pennant himself was the first to notice it. At the time Pennant was making his way from Scalasaig to Kilchattan and in those days the main route led him to cross this very feature. Rather greater detail is given in "The Geology of Colonsay & Oronsay", Craig, Wright and Bailey (1911), pp. 43 - 48. The following is a brief extract:

"Two monchiquite dykes of Colonsay deserve special notice as they furnish petrographical material of exceptional interest. One of them occurs near Reasagbuie on the east coast, the other and more important has been traced for half a mile in a north-west direction across the hills east of Lower Kilchattan. Both are essentially of the same type and present a striking appearance in the field, as they contain large crystals of biotite and hornblende… The Kilchattan dyke has long been known in the island, and our attention was first drawn to it by Mr. Archibald Campbell.

"The dyke at Lower Kilchattan … contains no olivine and no pseudomorphs… It is also exceptionally rich in biotite; these features mark it as belonging to the ouachitites as defined by J.F.Williams. It contains also a considerable amount of decomposed nepheline, and consequently we may describe it as a nepheline ouachitite; the presence of nepheline in rocks of the monchiquite group … is by no means common.

"The fine dark matrix of the rock is full of minute scales of black mica, and there are also rounded white spots or "ocelli" and vesicles filled with calcite and analcite. The most striking peculiarity of the rock, however, is the presence of large black phenocrysts of biotite, augite and hornblende, which makes it a typical "lamprophyre". Some of the hornblende crystals are 1.5 inches in diameter, and the augite and biotite are not much smaller. The black mica is easily distinguished by its perfect cleavage and the six-sided outlines of its crystals, which have their angles slightly rounded by corrosion."

The writer can confirm that it is a very remarkable rock, having seen a specimen; but must admit that he had some trouble in identifying it in the field. The dyke starts some 50 - 100 metres to the northeast of Druimhaugh Cottage (as named on the map), Brian and Margaret Smith's house, and runs towards the southeast; it is about one metre wide at that point, but surface water has obscured it with various deposits. It crosses the old footpath before you reach the Giant's Grave, and passes between the Fionn Loch and the Dubh Loch, parallel with the latter and slightly closer to it than to the midway line. I am told by Brian Smith that it crosses the footpath very close to the low waterfall on the southeast side (actually 20 metres before you reach the waterfall, marked by a stake with green tape).

Once you have found it, it is quite good fun to trace its route. Note that samples should not be taken of this or any other geological curiosity, especially when it is mildly radio-active as is reputed in this case. It is a great misfortune that this dyke has been defaced in many places by the crude assaults of souvenir-hunters.



The Dubh Loch, beyond the dyke

WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY

There will be plenty of activity in the coming weeks - details are not available in time for this issue of "The Corncrake" but everything will be clearly advertised by notices at the Shop, Pantry and Hotel.

A "Noticeboard" has been added to the Colonsay homepage; it is the ideal place to advertise events and information, even articles for sale. After Kevin returns (January 4th d.v.) anybody wishing to use the Noticeboard should supply him with the details. There is no charge for this service.

Watchnight Service
Start the Festival in the spirit of Christmas! Gather 11.30 pm in the Parish Church at Scalasaig; all are welcome for a very traditional and oecumenical service including plenty of Carols.

Church Service
Please note that Sunday services in both the Baptist Church and the Church of Scotland are held at 11.30hrs. Services are held in each church on a regular basis throughout the winter but are NOT held every week - see notices in the shop and hotel for further details.

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.

Hi Kevin

I've been off last week, in case you havn't been informed, the site is live now and ready for your blog.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/islandblogging

regards
Mike

ISLAND BLOGGING
www.bbc.co.uk/islandblogging


Because Kevin, Christa and Peggy will be away over Christmas and New Year, this issue of "The Corncrake" has appeared a little early. We are sorry to miss the island festivities this time and look forward to future jollifications - we wish everyone all health and every happiness at Christmas and in the coming year.



Kilchattan Primary School exploring a late neolithic midden, at Uamh Shiorruidh ("Endless Cave"). As usual whenever a Gaelic root is suspected, OED defines "eerie" as being of "obscure origin".


The Magazine Section


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THE MILLER'S FUNERAL

It is hoped that this account of a high-Victorian funeral in Colonsay will be of general interest, not least because of the insights given into contemporary mores. It may also be of interest to family historians, dealing as it does with an important local family. Sir John's concern for the bereaved family is quite avuncular and readers wishing to know more about Miss Hester McNeill could do worse than to refer to "Summer in the Hebrides" by Mrs. Murray. Any further information that descendants can furnish will be very welcome.

The letter was presented to the Scottish Record office by Miss M.G.McNeill, daughter of "Johnnie", whose eldest brother George figures largely in the letter.

Miss McNeill described the author as Alexander McNeill, the son of "Alexander" McNeill who was "factor" of Colonsay. There seems to be some confusion here, as the funeral described appears to be that of the miller, John McNeill, from the house known today as Torr an Tuirc.

The 1851 census gives that family, still resident at the old mill in Kiloran, as John McNeill, Miller, 48 yrs, born Kilmartin, together with his wife Hester 46 yrs., and children Archd. 17 yrs., Donald 14 yrs., John 12 yrs., Catherine 10 yrs., Alexander 8 yrs., and Hester 5 yrs. John's wife and children were all born in Colonsay, except for Hester, the youngest, born at Kilmichael Glassary. Interestingly, their household includes 75 year old Isabella Gillies, "fostermother", with no place of birth given. It seems possible that this is an error, and that it was Isabella who hailed from "Kilmichel"; if so, John, having been born in Kilmartin, might well have been fostered by her. Isabella was also shown in the household at Kiloran in 1841.

In 1861, the nuclear family still lived in the 5 roomed mill at Kiloran, but only the girls remained, Catherine plus her husband, Murdoch McNeill, a rabbit catcher, and Hester (whose poem on leaving the mill was published in "Summer in the Hebrides"). "Kate" and "Hessie" are mentioned frequently in the letter, and Murdoch took George and Alexander fishing. By 1881, Murdoch McNeill had risen to become the gamekeeper and by 1891 he is listed as Estate Manager, so that his position permitted him to provide adequately for John's daughter Catherine. Murdoch retained that position in 1901, and it may have led to Miss McNeill's confusion as to the factor.

In 1871, John McNeill is 66 yrs old, operating the new mill and living now at 4 roomed "Torinturc" with 64 yr old wife Hester, also grandson John McNeill, 9 years, and one domestic servant, 28 yr old Christina McDougall. It seems that both John and his wife Hester were born around 1805, when the future "Sir" John McNeill was about ten years old and when his 38 year old father, "The Old Laird", had just obtained title to the island and was at the height of his success. "Haster" was baptised on 23 February 1806, daughter of Donald Currie and Cathrine Darrach. She married John McNeill on August 26 1833.

Sir John McNeill (1795 - 1883) was a doctor who had entered the service of the East India Company, was attached later to the British legation in Persia, was appointed British Minister at Teheran in 1836 and received a GCB for his service in that post. In 1855 he was sent to the Crimea with Sir A.M. Tulloch to investigate the shortcomings of the commissariat. In 1870 he married, as his third wife, Lady Emma Campbell, daughter of the 7th Duke of Argyll.

When the letter was written, Alexander's brother Donald was the innkeeper at Scalasaig, assisted by his sister Hester; and in addition his niece, Hester, is shown in the same household at 5 yrs. in the 1871 census. The other brother, John, who became the miller, married Flora MacPhee; both died before their two sons Donald and Archibald Alexander were killed in the Great War, serving in the Scots Guards. Torr an Tuirc was built for the miller and remained in the unbroken occupation of his family until very recently.

Lachlain McCaig was a 42 yr old road inspector, born in Islay, living with his Colonsay-born wife and nine children at Kiloran.

Colonsay Tuesday 27 July 1875

My dearest Eliza,

The "Dunara" will be in this afternoon and I have put off writing till near the time so that I could give you the latest intelligence. I trust first of all that this will find yourself stronger and better than when we left, that you have got a little rest and that Baby is keeping good and sleeping well at night - after all your hard work and being up at night too, nursing so kindly and affectionately the departed, you have much need of rest, which we all hope you have got. I sent a telegram with "Dunara" before coming ashore at Scalasaig to go by Bunessan which I hope you got, saying that none of us were sick coming and that George slept all the night. We had a beautiful passage - never had better - and the steamboat so roomy and comfortable. Hessie went to bed to Lady's cabin after 11 o/c at night, George was for being up on deck and down in the saloon till after 11 too. After that he slept on the cushion beside me in the cabin, and shortly after that I took off his boots, jacket and collar and got him comfortably to one of the beds in the large cabin, and I got myself the bed right above George's and was taking an occasional look down to see if he was keeping straight. I lifted him once, and wakened him in fine trim when we were near Colonsay - he was quite proud to see where he slept all the night in the steamboat. I got him washed and was quite fresh at 6 o/c when we arrived.

Donald and John and many more were waiting our arrival - I felt myself quite unable to face them when I saw them coming on board as I could not then have spoken to them; people at that time in the morning were waiting to receive the remains from all parts of Colonsay. Kate was down on the pier waiting for the boat - my poor mother came down to the Inn the night before to be waiting down too - she did not go down to the boat but waited alone up at the house [i.e. Inn] till the remains came on the cart, and then she came out and caught hold of the coffin with both hands and resting upon her arms. She cried there for a time and got half exhausted and satisfied too; I took her inside again.

Shortly after we arrived with the remains, we and all the people started for Father's - Mother, Kate, Hessie and George in the machine - we were up about 9 o/c in the morning by [way of] Killoran [i.e. over Bruthach a' Bheannain]. The funeral was arranged to be from Father's own house about 2 o/c and except two or three men and some women, everybody went home to come back again in the afternoon. We got the remains into the room and mother got sitting at the head of the coffin and just got a relief weeping there for a considerable time. The morning and forenoon was wet, but it began to clear up about 1 o/c - about that time great many were gathered about the house, men women and children and before 2 o/c, without asking an individual, there was not a grown-up person in Colonsay who was well but was there - except two or three which works of necessity prevented from coming.

It fortunately cleared up then and the little hill on the Kilchattan side of the house was quite covered with the people sitting there and the house inside full - but more of women. The Minister read and prayed outside and inside very fervently and appropriately. McFadyen, the missionary, was there too. Sir John came shortly after 2 o/c in his carriage and with some of his male servants, and listened to the prayer inside. It was a very sorrowful day to us, having lost, and [being] just about to perform the last ceremony over the remains of a very affectionate Father, but if there was anything to comfort us it was to see the respect which all the people - and they were there at 85 yrs of age, 83, 82, 80 etc. - wished to pay to his remains.

It was the saddest of our days, and in a sense the proudest too, and I trust that God will strengthen us and that the lesson thus imparted will never be effaced from our minds, but that we will try to live so that our latter days may be like his. According to the custom, all got Bread and Cheese and refreshments, and between 3 and 4 we started for Kilchattan, the burying place. In Colonsay, women go to the churchyard too, and mother would not stay at home. The machine went with her. Kate, Hessie and George walking after the remains, then Donald, John, myself etc., then all the people, and Sir John following up in his carriage.

I never saw so many at any time of the Colonsay men together - there would be 100 grown-up men, besides women and children. Mother got herself again relieved by crying over the grave when committing Dust to Dust, and just to have got such tears away I think has since strengthened her and done her good. The grave was not near ready when we arrived - they were digging away, but all remained, Sir John himself included, till the coffin was covered and the ground levelled up and stone laid over it as before. The people got all refreshment again; I thanked them all myself in a word for their kindness in attending, and then set our faces home. Thus ended the last tribute of respect to the remains of the departed.

My mother has been well though not very strong since, but wonderfully well considering, and working away; she does not expect to be very long after him and hopes they may meet again. She asked me to thank you for her, from the bottom of her heart, for your kindness to late Father, which she experienced herself she says, at your hands last year - also for the dresses etc., which they all wonder how you managed to make in such a short time and which they had (mother, Kate and Hessie) the great satisfaction of having on and wearing when paying the last respect at the grave on the funeral day. Mother, although [i.e. "even if"] she would never put it on again, said she would wear it at the funeral. They all, and everything, fits beautifully and well - Hessie's tunic did not come, it was left out we expect for putting on coming and was omitted to put in again, but she has been wearing the dress, Sunday and all, without it.

Now I may begin to give other particulars - Sir John and Lady Emma have been very kind - Sir John the day he came was telling Kate that he did not think Father was so ill when he wrote to me (this was before they heard of his death) telling that he only made the remarks [i.e. general topics] and telling her the words he said to me in the letter about him, and as if he wished he had said more. Lady Emma and himself were over seeing Mother the day before we came - Lady Emma catching mother affectionately with both her hands all the time, and when leaving her, put both arms around her and kissed her. Sir John himself, the tears came down his cheeks, and turned round from mother after asking her some questions about Father. He wished her not to come to Scalasaig at all, that he was afraid it would be too much for her - and thought also the funeral should be from Scalasaig too, seeing the house [i.e, the inn] was so much larger - that upsetting everything up at Mother's would be just too much for her. However, she preferred the other way - he would go himself to the funeral even if it had continued raining and wished all his servants who could leave their work to go. He told Donald at the funeral he had great respect for Mother too - that John, whom he considered deserved it and suitable, would get the place same as my Father had it - House, garden, ground, mill and [work] shop - for no rent, and that besides he would pay him like any other person for [all the] work done for him this [fashion], and that mother would not require to be removed [i.e. move house].

This is very kind of him. Donald thanked him for the compliment he was paying the remains of our late Father; I thanked him for attending too before he went away. He said to me that seeing it was to happen, he was so pleased to be in Colonsay at the time and to have got the opportunity of attending my Father's Funeral - he made himself so nice and agreeable all that day. Donald and John of course thanked him for so promptly saying he would give the place without even asking it to Mother and John same as Father had it. He said Father had failings, like us all, himself included, but that he always liked and respected him, and that he had great respect for Mother too - that she has been in the place for so long a time, and brought up her family so respectably and never at any time could anyone say a word against her, and that he would like her to be comfortable.

He was yesterday again to John speaking very kindly of Mother - I have not been speaking to him since the funeral day - but he asked several times for me that day before I saw him; I was upstairs putting his good clothes on George for going to the funeral when he arrived - George came beside us some time after, when we were speaking, and looked so smart and bright - Sir John turned round, smiling, and saying "Whose boy is that? - Is that your boy?". I told him it was. He was dressed himself in full mournings, blacks, white tie and weepers [black crepe hat-band], and getting finer looking every day. I never saw him looking so well and so fresh, and never anywhere did I see any old gentleman at all near him in such fine looks - hair, face and person are so extraordinary fine - Lachlan McCaig says just now something superhuman.

George is quite in his element, never before anything like it; he says he will stay with grandmama and to tell mama and Johnnie to come too - he is a treat to them all and I am so pleased we brought him. He breaks up any feeling [i.e. despair], only they are all so sorry that Johnnie did not come.

Murdoch, George and myself were fishing in Donald's boat on the loch at Father's Saturday evening - George caught 2 trout on the rods he had, and neither of us was lucky in getting one. He got them himself to eat for tea after he went home and is for fishing ever since. When he caught the first fish he was for going off to Myrtle Park [i.e. Alexander's Glasgow home, Crosshill] at once to let John and Mama see it. He came to Scalasaig yesterday - I was down looking out the spot for the monument with Lachlan - poor George in the evening got very badly with the toothache and we could not have gone back but stayed all night. He is better again today and in such trim with Uncle Donald, Cousin Hessie etc., going about, down to the pier etc. etc. and thinks Colonsay a different world - asking if this is the "Happy Land"?

*** Since writing the foregoing, the "Columba" with Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Ladies Florence, Mary and Constance have come and are away up to Killoran - the "Columba" is off again, to Oban, and is to come back on Thursday. She will be away with despatches - the "Dunara" is coming too, so I must close. The Packet has not come yet from Islay and there is no letters from Glasgow. I expect to be with you not before Wednesday next unless I hear of something to take me before that away - I will be sorry to take George away too, everything is so entertaining and new to him - trout fish in the burn near shop where John works, the mill and John's shop, the little fish in water at the harbour, drives in the machine etc. etc. and he is very fond of Cousin Johnnie.

You must overlook all errors of omission and commission in this long letter - I expect you heard from Ardifour [Elizabeth Campbell's own place of origin]. Send my love as I have no time now to write; remember me also the the McMillans very kindly too - I think I will be greatly the better of my stay here myself, I am going to take it so easy and eat plenty; I wish you were here too, and that we could stay a month with Mother. She and all the rest of them are sorry you are not here - take a run over to the office occasionally, there will be a cheque from Wm. Warner & Co. arriving on the 1st August, keep it till I come. George is just saying that you are to come in his big steamboat. My warmest love to yourself, Johnnie and Emma and Alice - from Alexander.

Note, superscription across the first page:
"I forgot to bring mourning paper with me - goodbye now my dearest - your devoted husband, Alexander."




Website to explore: Emigration to Canada


A reader has kindly supplied a link to a posting on the Island Register (Prince Edward Island], where one can read one of Prof. John Sheet's essays on Colonsay emigration. From that point, readers might be inspired to explore other areas of the Island Register, one of the most useful of on-line resources for Colonsay researchers. Many thanks to Hayden McAfee for the following reference:



http://www.islandregister.com/colonsay-selkirk.html

Slightly less conventional for "The Corncrake" but interesting nonetheless is a 20 page essay concerning the Temple of Solomon, including ground plan. Perhaps it might appeal to anyone who gets a jumbo Lego set from Santa:



http://www.templemount.org/solomon.html

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Corncrake is published to keep all our friends in touch with life on the island. Contributions are invited and welcomed.
Fortnightly editions will carry details of coming events, special offers etc. Please send letters and proposals for specific articles to
the Editor
Brief genealogical and related queries are also welcome from Colbhasachs overseas, as are obituaries and family traditions relating to Colonsay emigrants.
This publication will hopefully develop to reflect the interests of the readership so please feel free to make your contribution. The magazine section needs articles on flora, fauna, geology, fishing, crofting etc.