Wednesday, October 07, 2009

From Oronsay to Colonsay


From the Priory we made our way down to the sweep of sand at the SW corner of Oronsay. Beyond the enclosing arms of the bay, the hills of Jura, Islay and Donegal made up our horizon. Eilean nan Ron lay offshore.


As we emerged from the shelter of the bay...


...the swell picked up as we rounded the skerries of Bacastair.


Then we entered the great tidal lagoon called the Strand, which separates Colonsay from Oronsay only at high tide. It reminded me of the lagoons of Arisaig and like there, was well populated by inquisitive grey seals.


We made first landfall on Colonsay at a delightful little beach.


The Campbeltown registered SS695 FV Keriolet (11.4m) was lifting her pots in the lagoon. She was built in 1994 and originally registered in St Ives in Cornwall but now fishes outof Port Askaig.