25th February 2026: This site seeks to share and celebrate all aspects of the history and heritage of the Isles of Colonsay and Oronsay. It is hoped to include information about such topics in Colonsay as Natural History, education, medical provision, the hotel, agriculture, religion and infrastructure. A different site, www.colonsay.info, exists to provide specific information on Family History i.e. Births, Marriages, Deaths, census returns, shipping lists, graveyard inscriptions, genealogy etc.
In 2014, when this site was in its infancy, the distinctive little belfry at the Parish Church was in danger of collapse and parishioners were trying to raise funds to save it. It is good to report that the project was successful - in all, the incredible sum of £60,000 was raised and the church was saved. Friends and descendants of Colonsay ancestry should be be aware that through the wonders of Zoom it is now possible to join the weekly Sunday service from anywhere in the world (at 10.30 a.m. London time). To obtain a link to that service, please contact colonsaybyrne@gmail.com
If you wish to arrange for self-catering accommodation in Colonsay, please see VisitColonsay.co.uk or go direct to our own sites at www.colonsay.online or www.colonsay.eu
On your way to Colonsay via the Rest and be Thankful, the original Inn at Inveraray is a Grade A listed historic building, and if you mention Colonsay you will be eligible for a special rate, summer or winter, subject to availability. See www.inveraray-inn.co.uk If you happen to take the other road, via Loch Lomond, the same offer applies at Best Western Crianlarich Hotel and the associated Arts & Crafts style Glenbruar B & B
Feedback on this site is welcome at Matters Arising
COLONSAY DURING WORLD WAR I and WORLD WAR II
We have a certain amount of information on the above periods, including the outstanding contribution by our own military historian Alan Davis. This concerns the appalling tragedy of the SS Arandora Star, following which some of the 800 victims found a resting place in Colonsay. Alan's research is published on this site, and has proved to be of enormous value to descendants and connections of those who perished.
Introductory note to SS Arandora Star, as researched by Alan Davis
Please note that an updated page will appear here soon (hopefully in April 2026) which will give full details of further developments in recent years. This will include Colonsay's links with Borgo Val di Taro, the permanent memorial on Eilean nan Ron, the information plaque in Kilchattan graveyard, the annual Memorial Day recently declared by the Italian goverment and other developments.
Official record of bodies recovered at Colonsay WWII
Colonsay persons who served in WWI and survived - a note by Alan Davis
WWII Memoir of Philip Pfaff, stationed in Colonsay
Farming Scene, a photo from WWII lent by the late John Clark
Colonsay claims to have become the ONLY litter-free Hebridean island - please help to maintain that proud status
WALKING THE HILLS
McPHEE BAGGING described in detail, in four easy sections in response to popular request. A "McPhee" is akin to a Munro (higher than 3000ft, 915m.) but smaller (minimum 300ft, 90m.) and the name celebrates the ancient Clan McPhie which is so closely associated with Colonsay and Oronsay. The total walk is about 21 miles long and, ideally, should start and finish below the High Water Mark. Ascent of the 22 hills should be completed in a single excursion but it is quite demanding and therefore this site offers the full experience in bite-sized portions. Other good self-guided walks will be found in The Colonsay & Oronsay Pilgrim Trail (about 12 miles but it can be addressed in four sections) and the brilliant Guide to the Geology of Colonsay by David Webster, which suggests a number of well-mapped and illustrated walks (£9.99 at Colonsay Bookshop)
NATURAL HISTORY
COLONSAY NATURAL HISTORY - basic geology, flora and fauna and with scope for much more
FERNS - Colonsay has a fine selection of ferns, and there is a suggested walk through Colonsay House Gardens
GENERAL HISTORY
Brief introductory note about the history of the Isles of Colonsay and Oronsay
COLONSAY HUMAN HISTORY - Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Early Christian, Viking, mediaeval, Scottish Renaissance, the Clearances, Modern times
BALNAHARD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2012 - Report
RELIGION
Colonsay Parish Church - text of a leaflet
Minutes of Church Session Court, Rev. Carmichael
McNEILL DYNASTY
Sasine of 1830 - the Old Laird (John McNeill) re. £2,900 facility, interesting local detail
Photographs from the Stroyan/McNeill archive
This site initially offered a bi-monthly newsletter called Colonsay History which first appeared in September 2014 but which received little support (the few issues can be accessed from this page, below). At the same time a newsletter was launched, dedicated to the specific field of Colonsay Family History. It was called Colonsay Kindred, and at that time was accessed via our sister site at www.colonsay.info
Although neither project was successful there are links (below) to the few issues that were published, together with the Tables of Contents.
THE ARCHIVE:
COLONSAY HISTORY No. 1 September 2014: Contents - "Migration from Colonsay", notes by Prof. John Sheets; "Colonsay Regatta 1892"; "Donald McMillan 1858 -1885", an appreciation by Kevin Byrne; "An Oronsay Grave - A. Fisher" and "Colonsay Fire Station".
COLONSAY HISTORY No. 2 November 2014: Contents - "The Voyage of the Spencer", by Hector Munn; Murdoch MacNeill, his portrait; Dr. Mary McNeill, daughter to Alexander and Mary; Rev. Donald McNeill, Elderslie; McNeill Portraits 1880-1910; and Alexander McNeill, Laird of Colonsay, his Will. Next edition due January 2015
COLONSAY HISTORY No. 3 January 2015: Contents - Welcome; News; "Wartime Colonsay 1939 - 45", by Ken McAllister; "Vernacular Dwellings in Colonsay"; "A "new" archaeological site in Colonsay"; "The sguidean or rock-shelters of Colonsay"; "The earliest occupation-sites in Colonsay"; "The McNeill Portraits 1880-1910" inc. McPhee, Buie, Galbreath, Duncan, Cowling interest; A note to Readers.
COLONSAY HISTORY No. 4 March 2015: Contents - Welcome; News; Bonaveh Project; Victorian Photographs; McNeill Photographs; Some Saints Associated with Colonsay & Oronsay; A note to Readers.
SEE ALSO
COLONSAY KINDRED No. 1 October 2014: Contents include a full transcription of Colonsay 1911 Census and an archive of 65 McNeill family portraits, plus plenty more.
COLONSAY KINDRED No. 2 December 2014: Contents include a full transcription of the will of Archibald McNeill, sometime laird of Colonsay, plus plenty more.
COLONSAY KINDRED No. 3 February 2015: Contents refer to Malcolm McNeill & Catherine Stewart; Allen McNeill and the MacDonald chieftain connection; information on the direct descendants of Malcolm MacPhee, chief of the clan; and an update on Victorian Cartes de Visite.
COLONSAY KINDRED No. 4 April 2015: Contents refer to Nicolas McNeill, Colonsay's first victim in WWI; the Victorian photographs; identification of Ena Worthington; Riasg Buidhe article by Prof. Sheets.
AND ALSO
THE CORNCRAKE: recreated archive of the first 100 editions (work in progress)
THE COLONSAY BUGLE No. 1 (July 2023) - the only edition, the publication gained no traction at all.
Please note that a vast amount of genealogical material is hosted at www.colonsay.info It includes shipping lists, Birth, Marriages, Deaths, census returns, gravestone inscriptions and it is available for additional One Name material for family historians. The site you are viewing currently is intended to be a repository of more generic material but there will inevitably be some overlap. Additional material is welcome by colonsaybyrne@gmail.com