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It was good to get back to daylight, A and B, and head east to find the track that heads north to Balnahard. A reasonably steep climb leads to the cairn at Beinn Bheag which has tremendous views looking south.

It remains at 10m wide and is 1m high, large boulder kerbs remain in place, massive stones on the east and west. In the centre, there might be the remains of a cist, field clearence has also been dumped on to the cairn adding to the confusion.

At this point the camera decided to work again, maybe it had been affected by the damp of the caves.

This track heading south leads straight back to where the car was parked, this place would get a couple of more visits.

Visited 12/08/2024.

Head almost to the north of Colonsay on the B8086, then head slightly north west on the minor road, then take the farm track where there is plenty of parking at Kiloran Bay. Spencer would know these roads very well.

Follow the beach north, jump a wee burn, then jump a fence near what could only be the bones of whale and then look north west. The entrance to the cave is in front. Getting there is tricky as it means clambering over rocks and small rock pools.

Once inside, sound seemed to vanish but I kept going until I found the junction of two other chambers, there is a fourth, but at that point the camera decided to stop working, a pity, but I’ll return. Luckily I had my phone as by this point it was completely dark and the idea of getting lost in caves didn’t have much appeal.

Worth another look.

Visited 12/08/2024.

Dun Eibhinn has superb views and from its north east entrance you can see Buaile Riabhach, slightly to the north of a white coloured building. The descent isn’t very steep, some high ferns and a couple of fences to jump.

Like many others who have seen or written about Buaile Reibhach, its a confusing site. Definitely two standing stones (one standing perfectly, the other looking like it has visited the nearby hotel), possibly a kerb cairn, or perhaps a chamber cairn. Whatever it is, its well placed next to the well used track, leading to Loch Turraman, that has probably been used for centuries.

I looked for and found two nearby cairns, however, they were completely covered in high ferns so another visit required.

With that it was back to the track and the B8085 to walk back to the car at Scalasaig (village). The first major walk on the island completed.

Visited 11/08/2024.

After battering my way through all types of gorse and jabby stuff I headed north west to climb the reasonably steep slopes to Dun Eibhinn, one of quite a few impressive defensive sites on Colonsay.

Two walls surround the fort, which can be seen from many places on the island, some parts in decent condition some badly ruined, especially on the outer wall which has seen its stones used for nearby dry stane dykes.

The building of the outer wall on the north is somewhat curious as the the drop is almost straight down. However, it protected the 20 by 18m site well. Entrance to the fort is on the North East, at this point you can see how wide the walls must have been – 4m in some places. Also an idea of height as the entrance’s walls made use of a small gully.

Traces of Iron Age dwellings inside the fort are barely visible, the remains of probably Medieval dwellings can be clearly seen.

A great place to look south, east and west, to the east is Buaile Riabhach which would be my next stop.

Visited 11/08/2024.

From the standing stone south of the B8085 I headed back, north, towards the church, crossed the road and walked past the hotel on the track heading towards the aptly named Turraman Loch. Long before the well named loch head west, following a fence, at Scalasaig Farm. A short walk of no more than 100m awaits.

Thanks to the gorse I spied the stone when I was directly below the site. (You can see the top of the stone from the B8085.) Luckily you can get to the stone via some clearings.

It is an impressive stone standing at 2m high and 2m wide. The smaller stone in the Canmore photos is still there.

Towering over me to the north west is Dun Eibhinn, a decent climb ahead.

Visited 11/08/2024.

From the Dun at Scalasaig head back to ferry port then walk west following the B8086. Directly opposite the hotel there is a road to the church, follow this track south for about 500m then head west. I could only see one standing, another stone I spied was a boulder and another possible standing stone mentioned in Canmore was invisible.

The stone that remains is just over 1m tall and has great all round views despite being slightly hidden by the undulating land. Dun Eibhinn, dominates the skyline to the north and was to be my big target for the day. Before that, another standing stone.

Visited 11/08/2024.

Every petrol station on Colonsay should have a dun, there is only one petrol station on the island. Parking is very easy, there is a car park at the post office and excellent shop. Simply walk across the road and jump into the ferns behind the pumps.

There are large rocks marking the dun’s edge to the south and east, not much stonework remains elsewhere. A gap in a ruined bit of wall is probably the entrance in the north east section.

Not that much to see, the covering ferns didn’t help but a good start to the looking around Scalasaig’s prehistoric monuments.

Visited 11/08/2024.

To get a birds eye view of Dun Meadhonach I decided to climb to the top of Beinn Na Caorach. It’s a worthwhile thing to do as the views are magnificent, you also look straight down (or north) to the dun plus the nearby Limpet Stones.

The summit of Caorach can be seen from the Limpets, a reasonably steep climb going up various wee valleys. Colonsay’s dry spell meant that underfoot conditions were good so it was a pleasant summer’s stroll up and then down to the dun.

As can be seen from the birds eye photo the dun is nearly oval shaped being 21m long by 13m wide. Walls still survive, best kept on the west. Some courses of stonework can still be seen. A gap on the north east would, to me, indicate an entrance but at this point the walls are badly ruined.

A great site and an opportunity to spy some other sites from high vantage point.

Visited 11/08/2024.

This has to be one of the easiest fieldnotes to write. From the house in Kilchattan walk 200m south, crossing the B8086, there is a gate leading into the field.

A great way to start every morning with Dun Meadhonach, slightly to the south west.

They say there was a stone circle here at one point, maybe yes or maybe no, one thing definite is that the two stones are in clear view Loch Fada, to the east, and the stony beach at Port Mor to the west.

Slightly to the west there appears to be remnants of a cairn, there is no kerb, however there is one large stone that might or might not have stood. Almost feels like Cultoon Stone Circle in Islay and its nearby site.

Time to head south west.

Visited 11/08/2024.

Cretshengan is a beautifully situated coastal standing stone. Achahoish is also in a fantastic location, next to the River Allt Cinn-locha, at certain angles it looks well camouflaged as a small tree covered in moss, sits amongst old looking trees and stands near a small graveyard. All these things give a sense of age.

From Cretshengan follow the B8024 as it heads north east, the spectacular views continue along the coastal road. Keep going until the first minor road heading north west. I parked at Lochead Farm, crossed the road and asked permission to visit the stone from the owner at Ceannloch House.

A track heading south leads almost to the stone, when a hut is reached head west past the small graveyard.

The moss and lichen covered stone stands at over 2m tall.

Despite injuries, a great day and great sites.

Visited 09/08/2024

The farm at Cretshengan proved an easy place to find, even better I was given permission to park. From there walk back to road and head south for a few metres. Through the gate and head west, gentle slopes and short grass made the walk, thankfully, easy.

This is a stunning place place with stunning views over to the island of Jura and north towards Kilberry.

The stone stands at 1.6m tall and probably was used by the ancient peoples to mark a safe place to land. Below on the beach, windsurfers were having a great time so perhaps the old stone is still doing its job.

After standing for quite a while to savour the view, also to rest the increasingly sore leg, I made my way back to car and decided that one more stop would be enough. Nearby sites can also wait until 2025.

Visited 09/08/2024.