ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES UPDATE

In our last issue, readers of "The Corncrake" were kindly requested to identify the three or four locations which they think could most benefit from some sort of intervention, so that the Community Council can draw up a wish-list for attention. The response has been very encouraging - one or two eyesores seem to attract particular attention and one or two modest sites have already been have been smartened up.

The appeal continues, since changes in the season may alter our perceptions and priorities. Please identify those sites which are particularly untidy or unappealing, either through neglect or any other cause, also sites which are unexceptional but which would benefit from some attention.

This exercise is open to visitors and islanders alike - if there is anything that you regard as an environmental blot, this is your chance to help. Just send your contributions to The Editor and they will be noted. Individual responses will not be published or circulated, but will be used to develop a table of priorities. Once we have identified areas of particular concern or opportunity the Community Council will find ways to address them, hopefully during the coming winter.

COMING SOON - DANNSA

Dannsa is coming to Colonsay in June and will be performing in the Colonsay Village Hall on Monday 7th June, having had a workshop with the schoolchildren earlier in the day.

The enthusiastic, heartfelt response from previous years of performing in many small, vibrant Highland communities has inspired Dannsa to embark on their third tour. This will take in mainly the islands on the West coast.

Dannsa are the Highland based group of talented step-dancers Mats Melin, Frank McConnell, Caroline Reagh and Sandra Robertson. They will perform their own unique arrangements. Frank McConnell's brand new quadrilles add excitement to the programme which includes old Scotch reels, an original Waulking song piece, a Sword dance with an edge! and more. Dannsa are on tour with inspiring and passionate music played by Fin Moore on pipes, Gabe McVarish on fiddle and Liz Maclean, gaelic song. If your toes are tapping with this fantastic line-up there will be plenty opportunity for everyone to join in the dancing.

'The perfect blend of instrumental excellence, dance, song, and enthusiastic participation from stage to audience, gave this performance by Dannsa its matchless character.' (Fiona Ritchie, Birnam) The tour has been funded by the Scottish Arts Council, Hi-Arts, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig, Bord na Gaihlig and Dalwhinnie Distillery.

NOOKS & CRANNIES - Traigh nam Barc

Mr Donald "Gibbie" MacNeill has kindly drawn attention to these curious slabs, at the head of Traigh nam Barc. It is apparent that they are not lying naturally, being at right angles to the natural grain of the rock hereabouts. It reminds one of the story given by Murdoch McNeill, concerning an interment in the vicinity:
"A sword, rusty and almost mouldered away, was lying near the bones of the warrior who met his death at Traigh nam Barc, the local tradition in connection with it being, that a fight took place in the vicinity between natives and the Norsemen who landed from the galley at Port na Iubhraich. The leader of the latter was killed, amid his body encased in the stone coffin, which lay in the ground undistrubed for more than 600 years."

Little is known about that grave and it is perhaps possible that this is the site of it. Possibly some qualified individual will notice these lines and take a look at the spot when next in Colonsay.

COLONSAY DIARY

Lucy McNeill had a brilliant 40th Birthday Party in the Village Hall, with huge attendance from all over the mainland; the anonymous complainant has been identified to general satisfaction, but is to be left in shameful obscurity; the last two weeks have included calm but misty weather, which is unusual in May; David Johnston's kit has been erected at Glassard; Hydro are here in force, renewing the High Voltage distribution wires; filming for "Springtime in Colonsay" is at an advanced stage and details of the screening will be announced later; the WEDNESDAY ferry goes onto Summer mode after 19th May… check the timings; the old generator-station at Scalasaig has been sold and will be restored as house; and visitors are becoming more careful not to use the passing-places for parking:

LAST CHANCE REMINDER:
Alan Davis has completed the text of his book, which gives an account of everyone listed on the Colonsay War Memorials and also all those whose remains are known to have come ashore here. The work, complete with many photographs, will be published in small numbers and in two editions - a high quality "subscribers edition" and a more modest edition for the general public. All royalties will be gifted by Alan to the Poppy Appeal. Publication is planned for 20th July, to mark the 80th anniversary of the dedication of the War Memorial.

The "subscribers edition" will cost £15 and any remaining orders should be placed without delay so that all subscribers can be acknowledged within the book. Subscribers should send full details of their name and details as they will appear e.g. "Kevin and Christa Byrne, Homefield, Colonsay". This important project would have been impossible without such support - please send a post-dated cheque to House of Lochar or send details of your credit card - no charge will be raised until publication. Contact House of Lochar, Colonsay, Argyll PA61 7YR orders@houseoflochar.com
or email the Editor

WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY

Please note that there is also a Notice Board on the Homepage; anybody wishing to publicise any event or attraction is invited to send details to the Editor.

Harbour Development Proposals - public meeting 9.15am Tuesday 18th May at the Pier

Monday 7 June - Dannsa will perform in the Village Hall
June 10th - European election, voting at the Hall
June 12th - "Follow that Camel!", dancing to brilliant live music
July 5th - Community Council meeting at Village Hall
July 6th - Pedie and Jen MacNeill in concert
July 10th - Ceilidh in aid of Poppy Appeal
July 13th - Pedie and Jen MacNeill in concert
July 17th - Hall Committee's Ceilidh
July 20th - Pedie and Jen in concert
July 27th - Pedie and Jen in concert
July 31st - Hall Committee's Ceilidh
August 2nd - Community Council meeting at Village Hall
August 3rd - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 7th - The Visitors' Ceilidh, in aid of Hall funds
August 10th - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 12th - Development ompany's Ceilidh
August 17th - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 21st - Golf Club Ceilidh
August 24th - Pedie and Jen in concert
August 31st - Pedie and Jen in concert

Badminton on every Tuesday and Thursday

Football on Wednesdays

Dental Visit: 6 - 8 July Call 01688 302105 to book appointment

Colonsay House & Gardens, open each Wednesday 12 - 5pm. Light lunches and Afternoon Teas. Also Fridays, 3 - 5pm Afternoon Teas

Lobster and Crab: Freshly caught, telephone Bill Lawson 01951 200315

Village Hall for rent: Ceilidhean, dances etc. £50; private parties £75; weddings £100

The Pantry Restaurant:
Sunday 2.30 - 8pm
Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm

The Village Stores
Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm; 2pm - 5.30pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

CHURCH SERVICES: Weekly Services are held each Sunday at 11.30 a.m. The Church of Scotland and the Baptist Church work closely together and frequently hold joint services - please see notice at Shop for details of venue. All are welcome and our visitors are cordially invited to join the island congregation. Immediate schedule is:
16th May Freda Marshall, at Church of Scotland
23rd May John McAlpine, at Baptist Church
30th May John McAlpine, at Church of Scotland
6th June Ray Chiholm and Joan McDowell, at Baptist Church
13th June Mike Rattenbury, at Church of Scotland

BOAT TRIPS: Daily boat trips operate throughout the season; details are elsewhere on this site, also comprehensive brochures are available at Hotel, Shop, Pantry, Bookshop etc.
Note: On most Saturdays, an all-day guided trip to the top of the Paps of Jura (2,570ft)
June 23rd ... special evening trip (weather permitting) to see dawn of Midsummer from the summit
IONA ... All day trip to Iona, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21
Colonsay Boat Hire

STOKES MEMORIALS will be in Colonsay in May or June to work at the graveyard. Telephone 01369 702162 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

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.
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DEATH OF SIR JOHN M'NEILL, V.C.

The following report was published in "The Oban Times", Saturday June 4, 1904

"A soldier of distinguished gallantry passes from among us with the death of Major-General Sir John Carstairs M'Neill V.C., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., whose military career included hard fighting in all parts of the world. Sir John indeed had a record of hard work and brave deeds of which any warrior might be proud. The deceased officer had been in failing health for about a year, but his illness did not take a serious turn till a month ago. He passed away late on Wednesday night last week [25 May 1904] at his residence at St. James' Palace, London, in the presence of his three brothers.During his last days he had been visited by the King, who spent some time with him.

Sir John McNeill, who was born on March 30, 1831, was the eldest son of the late Captain Alexander McNeill of Colonsay, and a nephew of the late Lord Colonsay. He was educated at St. Andrews and at the Military College, Addiscombe, and entered the Bengal Army in 1850. Shortly after the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny he was apppointed Aide-de-Camp to Sir Edward Lugard, with whom he took part in the siege and capture of Lucknow. Twice in the course of the campaign he earned mention in despatches. He bore a leading part in a somewhat romantic episode which followed the fall of Lucknow.

As brevet-major, Sir John served as Aide-de-Camp to Sir Duncan Cameron in New Zealand during the Maori war of 1864-5, and here again he found opportunities for the display of the dauntless courage he possessed. Not only was he five times mentioned in despatches, but he won the distinction which every soldier covets and prizes far above all others. The act of cool daring which gained him the Victoria Cross is told as follows: - On March 31, 1864, he was sent by his general to a post called Ta Awamutu, his escort consisting of Privates Vosper and Gibson, of the Colonial Defence Force. On his return he had passed, by about a mile, a post called Owapu, occupied by a detachment of the 40th Regiment, when he perceived that the road was blocked by a body of Maoris. Major M'Neill drew up his little party, and sending Trooper Gibson back to Owapu to bring up troops, waited with his other orderly, Vosper, to observe the enemy. Suddenly from some fern close at hand some fifty Maoris, up to that time unobserved, burst forth and made for the Major and his companion. Evidently there was nothing to be done but to make the best of their way to the nearest post. They therefore at once turned round and set spurs to their horses. In the act of turning, however, Vosper's horse fell, throwing his rider. The man's fate appeared sealed, for the foe were close at hand. Luckily his superior officer and comrade was staunch, and he not finding Vosper at his side looked to see what had become of him. What he saw was sufficiently alarming. Vosper was struggling to his feet, the horse was loose, and the Maoris were racing up like a pack of hounds running into a fox. A moment's hesitation would have sealed the man's fate, but M'Neill did not delay for an instant. Returning at once to Vosper's side, and apparently rushing into the open jaws of death, he caught the loose horse, helped his orderly to mount, and the two then galloped away. They ran it very close. For the Maoris were almost up to them, and it was only by urging their horses to the utmost speed that they escaped, pursued too as they went by a heavy fire.

Vosper said he owed his life entirely to Lieut-Colonel M'Neill's assistance, for he could not have caught his horse alone, and in a few minutes must have been killed.

On his return to England in 1866 Sir John was transferred to the 48th Regiment. He had meanwhile received the brevet of Lieut-Colonel. In 1866-7 Lieut-Colonel M'Neill was in command of the Tipperary Flying Column during the Fenian disturbance, and was thanked by Lord Strathnairn in general orders for the services he rendered on that occasion. A couple of years later he accompanied Lord Lisgar, the Governor-General, to Canada as military secretary, and he filled this office until 1872. He had, of course, a hand in the Red River Expedition, that fine example of organisation which gained its ends without the effusion of blood, winning its victories over the stubborn forces of nature, the storm, the rock, the forest and the flood. His share in the undertaking was rewarded with a C.M.G. and a brevet colonelcy. [Sounds very appropriate when spoken aloud!]. When Lord Wolseley was entrusted with the operations in Ashantee, in 1873, Colonel M'Neill, as he now was, received the appointment of Chief of Staff. He arrived at Cape Coast Castle on Oct. 2, 1873, and, in command of a force composed of 149 marines, 29 bluejackets, 205 West India Regiment, and 126 Housas, with one rocket-tube and a seven-poundere gun, was at once secretly transported to Elmira by sea. Thence he marched to Essamen, where, after a short skirmish, the enemy were put to flight and the village burnt. The column then went on to Amkwana, which was also destroyed. In these operations Colonel M'Neill was seriously wounded, and he was obliged to return to England. For his service in this campaign he was twice mentioned in despatches and received the decoration of C.B.

For a few years subsequently Sir John's life was one of comparative quietude. In 1874 he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Duke of Cambridge, and very shortly afterwards Equerry to Queen Victoria. In 1880 he became K.C.M.G. His next view of active service was obtained on the Staff of the Duke of Connaught during the suppression of Arabi Pasha's revolt in Egypt in 1882. Once more he secured mention in despatches, and his services were rewarded with a K.C.B.

We have now come to the episiode which brough Sir John M'Neill into the glare of public controversy. This is no time to revive the dispute which was argued out over the battle of Tofrek. It may be said, howver, that Sir Gerald Graham, who directed the operations against the Mahdists in the Eastern Soudan, implicitly exonerated the commander of his 2nd Brigade by favourable mewntion in despatches, and that at least one handsome and substantial volime was compiled in defence of the handling of the British column on that memorable day. The exciting story may be retold in a few sentences. It was at seven o'clock on the mornming of March 22nd, 1885, that sir John marched out of Suakin in the direction of Tamai, with the object of constructing a series of zarebas, which were to be garrisoned by a portion of the troops under his command. One of these camps had been formed, and a second was in course of construction, when a body of between 4000 and 5000 of Osman Digna's fiercest fanatics swooped down upon the column. Accounts of what follow3ed differ very materially. One thing alone is certain, that a scene of the wildest confusion ensued. The baggage animals stampeded and, crazy with terror, rushed hither and thither. Many of the charging arabvs were carried by the impet8us of their onslaught through the lines into the British squares. A fierce hand-to-hand struggle followed, friend and foe in some parts of the field being inextricably intermingled. Only the pluck and steadiness of our soldiers and sailors - a naval detachment was present - prevented a massacre. Happily these qualities prevailed, and after between a quarter and half an hour's fighting at white heat, the dervishes withdrew from the field, with the loss of some 1,500 of their number. On the British side the killed alone counted up to about 100.

Sir John M'Neill retired from the Army in 1890, the only public office which he retained being that of Equerry to the King. He was created K.C.M.G. in 1880, K.C.B. in 1882, and G.C.V.O. in 1901; and among numerous decorations he held the Orders of the Red Eagle and of the Crown of Germany.

Sir John, who was a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Argyll, acquired the estate of Colonsay and Oronsay in 1877, from his uncle, Sir John M'Neill, G.C.B., at one time Ambassador to the Persian Court. In his island home he entertained many distinguished guests, and the King and Queen there honoured him with a visit in the course of their Majesties' yachting cruise in the summer of 1902.

Sir John, who was never married, is survived by three brothers, the youngest of whom is Mr. Malcolm M'Neill, C.B., Vice-President of the Local Government Board for Scotland.

Sir John M'Neill's Medals

More information about his three brothers would be interesting, and in particular information about Sir John's activities in Tipperary would be very illuminating - my efforts to date have met with no success - Editor