As the doors closed on the 6th Annual Colonsay Book Festival on the last Sunday in April, it marked the end of another successful chapter in life of what has...

COMMUNITY TO GAIN NEW LAND POWERS. More than 40 island residents gathered in the Village Hall on Tuesday, 23rd March, to hear all about new powers granted to them by...

On the 10th and 12th March two fundraisers were held, organised by Rosalind Jewell, to raise money for Positive Action in Housing & Syria Relief. The former was a cake...

We were all very excited to hear that on the 7th November 2015 Keir and Grace Johnston welcomed their baby boy, Arlo William Keir into the world. He was born...

Jamie Leppard was the lucky recipient of £30 prize money after correctly guessing the number of sweets on the cake in a fundraising competition for MacMillan Cancer Support. Don’t spend...

Colonsay commuter Dannie Onn has been selected to play for the Scotland over 60s team at the 2016 Grand Masters Hockey World Cup in Australia. The world cup is being held in...

Sadly the last few months have seen a bit more going than coming - we were very sad to hear of Donald & Hannah MacAllister’s decision to leave the island...

COLONSAY AND ORANSAY HERITAGE TRUST are organising another weekend of IT training: Saturday March 12th and Sunday, in Kilchattan School. The format will be the same as last time, with...

Colonsay Village Hall The Hall committee held its A.G.M on 9th January. The committee is unchanged apart from the resignation of Esme Marshal. Esme has been a great supporter of...

The Colonsay bar is open at the weekends this month. Saturday: 12-7pm Sunday: 2-7pm You might see this man; he might even buy you a drink! (disclaimer: Mr Williams buying you a drink...

 Hannah and Donald MacAllister are pleased to announce that Colonsay's newest resident arrived safely on the 7th of June - Dougal John MacAllister - three weeks early weighing 5 pounds...

This month things have really kicked into gear out on the barge.  Cages arrived and were installed with help from the Coastal Hunter and Emma C boats. The four local...

Argyll and Bute Council - Comhairle Earra Ghàidheal agus Bhòid - Willowview Community Care Team - OBAN PA34 4SB    A VACANCY HAS ARISEN ON COLONSAY FOR A PERMANENT POST FOR A HOME...

There is a danger of disruption to our ferry services due to the necessity to offer the operation for competitive tendering; it is understood that SERCO is likely to bid...

On the morning of July 2nd, flowers were placed at the memorial at Leum a’ Bhriair on behalf of all Colonsay residents and in remembrance of over 800 souls whose...

The work of Oransay artist Innes MacDougall is to be featured in the international exhibition at Parallax Art Fair, Chelsea Town Hall, King’s Road on 25th and 26th July 2015. ...

The island's second Big Lunch was held on Sunday 7th June in the Village Hall and was a huge success with many people attending. Posters advertising the event were distributed...

At a recent meeting with CalMac, some islanders expressed concern about the reliability of the connection with Islay, which is scheduled for both Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Not to beat about...

It is very good to see a local business go from strength to strength and The Corncrake is delighted to convey the message straight from the heart of the operation:...

Our new fish-farm is taking shape – the command unit came on site a few weeks ago and by great good fortune your acting editor got a chance to visit...

Although I have “retired” from most things, I am actually overwhelmed trying to address all the things that were put onto the long-finger since October 1969.  If I could once...

The magnificently restored Stevenson Lighthouse is a triumph for the Colonsay & Oransay Heritage Trust, and is attracting attention from on high.  On Saturday 6th June, it is to be...

Owing to an error by the hosting company, the archive of the first 100 editions of The Corncrake was wiped from the record. Owing to the kindness of a number...

What an extraordinary month!  There are 64 SNP members of the Scottish Parliament, out of 128 in all; then along came the General Election and 56 SNP members were elected...

The MacPhee Bagging project on May 4th was a great success – lots of people were there for the start and even the youngest children conquered the first three peaks....

Hazel is one of 3 finalist for "Graduates In The Spotlight" competition! This is through Nude Jewellery which is a gallery in Mayfair London. If she wins she gets the...

There is good progress – the shorebase application for Planning Permission has gone through, the 60ft service vessel has been built (in Holland?) and is to be named Beinn Eibhin,...

As readers will be aware, there was considerable surprise and disappointment when the Good Friday ferry turned back, hugging the Mull shore in a northwesterly blow and encountering Force 9...

Residents were shocked to discover that our air-service is about to be suspended sine diem.  It will be remembered that Argyll & Bute overcame enormous odds to establish CAA approved...

On Monday 4th, there was a great turnout for a tour of all of Colonsay’s 300ft peaks (the MacPhees), a 20 mile sponsored circuit in aid of Educational Travel for...

Readers may have seen a notice, still online together with a picture : MISSING: This important and valuable bronze direction plate disappeared from Beinn a’ Gudairean between September 8th and...

Hazel is one of 3 finalist for "Graduates In The Spotlight" competition! This is through Nude Jewellery which is a gallery in Mayfair London. If she wins she gets the...

We gather that there are a number of Colonsay applicants for the twelve positions on offer, and that at least one person has been for induction training – which was...

Colonsay Community Council is very concerned about the extraordinary discrepancy concerning freight fares to Colonsay compared with other destinations.  It puts all Colonsay enterprise at an insuperable disadvantage and, innocently...

  On behalf of the Scottish Government, on 25th March Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown proudly announced that 4G Mobile Phone has been installed in Coll, the favourite island (which also...

Our readers will be fully aware of the saga of The Dress, (if not, see it in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_dress_%28viral_phenomenon%29  ) whereby the recent wedding of Keir and Grace attracted worldwide...

Luckily enough, Colonsay is not relying on public agencies and can be proud of the almost incredible programme of events provided through the energy and enterprise of local people. At...

Keir and Grace were married in a humanist ceremony at Colonsay Hotel on Saturday 21st February, in a very moving rite conducted by Annie Loughlin, celebrant.  The bride was given...

An incredible story arose after the wedding.  Seemingly Grace’s mother had been wondering about a dress that she thought of wearing, so she sent a picture to Grace for an...

Readers will remember that the Parish Church has two dangerous windows and has launched an appeal at http://www.colonsay.info/text/Church%20Appeal.htm  The progress of the appeal is being regularly updated at that site,...

With the help of GRAB, Colonsay Community Council has funded a small leaflet designed by Colonsay beach-litter artist Jane Rose  http://www.janerose.co.uk/    The leaflet is to discourage the use of bottled...

Hannah, our LDO, has secured funding for an all-singing, all-dancing Colonsay App which is being designed by BlueMungus.  Some of us are a bit unfamiliar with such things but apparently...

Our Local Development Officer is working to arrange satellite Broadband for Colonsay within the next 18 months or so, which is very encouraging.  As it happens, one local business is...

The Parish Church was recently the subject of a professional inspection and it was noted that BOTH the western windows are in a very poor state; one of them is...

Most people in Colonsay will normally drive at between 25mph and 40mph and all will be wearing a seatbelt; and most people do slow down considerably when passing pedestrians (who...

Fotunately, there is nothing much to say.  Despite the appalling conditions elsewhere, Colonsay was fairly fortunate – there was very little damage.  The wind did not often gust much over...

This meeting had been heralded by both a two-page letter from the remaining four Directors and a subsequent newsletter, with a view to encouraging members of the community to adopt...

AND HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY TO THE CORNCRAKE, WHICH FIRST APPEARED IN JANUARY 2000 (what larks! Do you remember the Millenium Bug Y2K? The River of Fire? The Dome? The Wobbly...

Kilchattan Primary School hosted a magnificent Christmas Dinner on Thursday 18th, which earned a huge vote of thanks from all concerned for the good offices of Sarah Moss, school-cook and...

 A triumph! Without exception, the children were absolutely brilliant; Mary (Eve) brought forth the baby as readily as a rabbit from a hat, whilst Joseph (Seamus) was nothing if not...

There was a party for young and old in the Village Hall on Tuesday 23rd, with plenty of games and sumptuous refreshments.  The youngsters at Kilchattan were augmented by their...

The Directors of CCDC recently circulated island households, advising them of the next scheduled Board Meeting, 8th January, which is as usual open to all shareholders (and apparently to members...

The very unusual 1930s roof of the Baptist Manse (architect Balfour “Baffy” Paul) began to give serious problems so has been stripped and recovered in a heavy-duty sort of Onduline. ...

This campaign is now entering its third year and has been incredibly successful.  The initial task was almost overwhelming, but it was much easier in the second year and it...

The island website lists all available accommodation and includes up-to-date vacancy charts either on that site or via a link to individual websites – go to www.colonsay.org.uk  CalMac are keen...

The editor’s chair is vacant still – the position is unpaid, but it is rewarding in other ways.  The main purpose of the magazine is to maintain links with the...

Wishing happiness and blessings to all our readers at Christmas greeting includes all men on earth of goodwill regardless of religious proclivity and is non gender-specific The schoolchildren are hosting...

There was a great party for Hallowe’en, held at the Backpackers Lodge and attended by all the children.   Commemoration of Guy Fawkes’ bid for parliamentary reform took the form of...

Other local activities include the Scottish Country Dancing practice sessions held on Wednesday evenings,led by Seamus and Christine and supported by about a dozen folk.  There is also a Badminton...

Holidays for 2015: If you already have your reservations made, please remember to send any outstanding deposits.  If you have not yet booked, please refer to www.colonsay.org.uk to see the...

COHT has secured the services of Hazel Smith to assist in the professional preparation and submission of bids for funding.  Your correspondent looks forward to further news, but is aware that...

Owing to some antediluvian anomaly (going back at least to the time of David MacBrayne) Colonsay suffers from mind-boggling freight charges – a lorry travelling from Oban to Colonsay return...

The editor’s chair is vacant still – the position is unpaid, but it is rewarding in other ways.  The main purpose of the magazine is to maintain links with the...

Recent heavy rain raised the level of Loch Fada and eventually the water was 15” deep over the road as it passes An Déabhaidh (“the shallow channel between parts of...

It seems that the ferry timetable for Summer 2015 will be very much the same as in 2014, commencing on 3 April 2015. The winter timetable is now in operation,...

On a related mission, one should say that we are about to enter Year 3 of a campaign to render Colonsay and Oronsay completely free of litter and junk in...

Rev. Liz Gibson will be here for two weeks from Wednesday 5th and will be delighted to meet parishioners (of any persuasion or none); please do not hesitate to get...

The most recent meeting was on October 7th and the main topic was the cost of freight.  Various residents had kindly provided information on charges levied and it was noted...

Many of our readers will have noticed that the October edition appeared as usual and on time – and then it disappeared!  The background to the situation is that when...

A whale beached at Port Lobh recently and it seemed possible that it was an accidental stranding.  A very large number of people gave of their time to help keep...

If you have got this far, you deserve to know that any comments concerning the current edition should be addressed to byrne@colonsay.org.uk  If you live locally and got this far,...

The November edition of the Corncrake has been delayed and will now appear before or on 8th November.

Unfortunately it is not currently possible to update the Corncrake in it's new format. This will be addressed as soon as possible. In the meantime the newlsetter is still available in...

The two main freight companies providing lifeline services to Colonsay are warning of massive price rises to cope with a Calmac crackdown on overloading. They say freight rates will have...

Scottish environment minister Paul Wheelhouse says he’s “sorry” island laird Alex Howard and the community development company have been unable to reach a deal yet to buy estate owned land...

Fears that low water pressure is endangering island residents are being investigated by Scottish Water. The island community council asked for an urgent examination of the supply system following a...

Two new recruits joined the community council at it’s annual meeting recently. Island laird Alex Howard and resident William Joll were co-opted onto the council to join existing members Sheena...

Garden volunteers organised a fund raising “Big Tea” to ensure the future of the community venture- and netted over £800 in an afternoon. The garden, in front of the village...

Island resident Jim McLoughlin was honored in the Queen’s Baton relay as he carried the Commonwealth symbol through part of Argyll. Jim had been put forward because of his 30...

Colonsay’s set to celebrate the Commonwealth Games tomorrow (Saturday August 2) with an afternoon and evening of fun. Sports for children and adults alike are to commence at Machrins at...

Alex Howard’s offering to help ease the island gravel crisis sparked by the council ordering him to stop selling stones off the shore. Argyll and Bute Council ordered a halt...

Island friends of the late Davie Sutherland set out to make this year’s “poppy ceilidh” the best yet – and raised a record amount for the Earl Haig Fund. Highlight...

Nearly four months after the McLennans van was stolen from the pier Police Scotland admit they are no nearer identifying the culprit. A spokesman for Police Scotland said their inquires...

Island emergency service volunteers are asking members of the public, especially visitors, to pull into passing places and allow overtaking on Colonsay’s single track roads. Twice in recent weeks 999...

Island residents gathered in force to say hello to the new look perished and goodbye to the old piermaster. After 16 years presiding over the comings and goings of ferries...

Colonsay and Oronsay Heritage Trust is launching a drive to recruit new supporters to help fund its vital work protecting the islands’ heritage. Trust convener Dave Binnie is asking people...

Two new starts next term mean Kilchattan Primary School will boast a total of nine pupils when the academic year starts in August. Headteacher Gill MacKenzie has kindly given the...

The family would like to thank everyone for the exceptional care, concern and kindness shown throughout Mike’s illness and over the last few weeks. Through the very generous donations made...

Rescue crews from HMS Gannet at Prestwick made three emergency trips to Colonsay in June – up two on their previous month’s total. The most serious was to airlift a...

Despite being fantastic animals with an essential function in the right environment, hedgehogs are not a native species to Colonsay and Oronsay. By Scottish law they should remain that way....

On June 1st Colonsay held its first ‘Big Lunch’ - it is a very simple idea from the Eden Project aimed at getting as many people as possible across the...

There has been a makeover at the Pantry with Gavin gearing up for the season. First to arrive was the island’s first barrista style coffee machine, , and then a...

Rangers-mad man about town Angus MacPhee is to make the ultimate sacrifice to raise money for the favourite cause of his recently departed friend Davy Sutherland. Wee Davy organised the...

Three new faces will be at Monday evening training sessions at the fire station as Fire Scotland increases it’s team on the island. Phil “on the hill” Jones, Matthew “Cammy”...