Oransay is a small island which sits just south of Colonsay, and can be reached by walking across a sandy strand, at low tide. There is a four hour window to make the crossing, and we put this outing at the top of our agenda for Day One of our holiday.
The heath fire was still burning, out of control, and working its way across the hillside.
The route across the sands is not difficult to follow, but yards from the Oransay shore the tidal water was still running too deep for our walking boots. We dithered about for a few minutes, and tried to pick our way in different watery directions, but decided, in the end, that wellington boots were going to be the only solution - so next time!! Oransay will have to wait for us, unfortunately.
We drove back over to the other side of the island, to Kiloran Bay. Its beauty speaks for itself. The waves roll in from the Atlantic, and in the distance, to the north, are the peaks on Mull. On a bright and sunny day, it doesn't get any better than this!
Last Thursday evening, 21 April 2016, beacons were lit across the country in celebration of the Queen's 90th birthday, and Colonsay, perched on the edge of her United Kingdom, didn't miss out on the occasion. We thought we would join in with the celebration, so set off from the cottage at about quarter to nine, as the light was fading.
The beacon was sited on the hill, above Scalasaig, next to the monument to Lord Colonsay. The moon shone its light across the water from Islay, and as daylight disappeared and the fire took hold, the dozen or so of Her Majesty's subjects who turned out to wish the Queen a happy birthday, stood around, gazing into the beacon's flames. It was rather a special time.
Gosh, so special lucky you to be there on such a perfect night!
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