Garvellachs, Corryvreckan, Islay, Jura & Colonsay
The Garvellachs
Heading south from Oban you can see “the bridge over the Atlantic” connecting Seil island to the mainland. We pass Insh island and Easdale before arriving at the Garvellachs which are inhabited today only by sea-birds, sheep and seals. The Garvellachs are known as “The Isles of The Sea” although the literal translation from Gaelic is “Rough Islands”. On the main island of Eileach an Naoimh you can see the remains of an old monastery and “beehive houses” where the monks used to live. St Columba’s mother is reputedly buried here.
Scarba, Corryvreckan and Jura
Just south of the Garvellachs lies Scarba – well known for red deer – and the Gulf of Corryvreckan, site of the largest whirlpool in the Western Isles and third largest in the world. When the tide state is right it’s exhilarating to cross the maelstrom in the safety of a large, solid boat! South of Scarba is Jura, which means “deer island”. This is a sparsely populated wilderness dominated by three spectacular peaks called the Paps of Jura, the lowest an impressive 2,400 feet high. Jura is home to over 100 species of bird including snipe, eagles and osprey. As well as deer you may also see otters, wild goats and grey seals on the rugged west coast of Jura.
Colonsay and Oronsay
West of Jura and north of Islay lies Colonsay which has Celtic standing stones and a large population of otters. More than 150 species of bird have been recorded over the years including eagles, Shearwaters, Great Northern and red-throated divers, hen harriers, merlins, swans, geese, choughs and ravens. Around 100 people inhabit Colonsay and Oronsay which are separated by a stretch of shell sand. This can be walked across when the tide is out.
Oronsay is an interesting, isolated little tidal island with its Medieval, Augustinian Priory. Being a Special Protection Area there are numerous species of birds to be found as well as Grey Seals. Its beaches are beautiful, a shallow shelving off makes the beaches great places to swim, if you are so inclined.
Islay
Distilleries, distilleries, distilleries and more distilleries! It’s the Malt whisky world’s Metropolis, with a hint of Havana; the Islay Rum distillery adding molasses notes to this heady alcoholic mix of nine working distilleries found on this island, with more being built.
To the south you have Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and the newly rebuilt Port Ellen Distillery. All these southerly operations have the distinct peaty, salty taste coming from Islay’s water. If you fancy something more ‘Jack Sparrow,’ there’s the Islay Rum distillery in Port Ellen too and
Port Askaig is around the corner to the north, its products offering a fresher purer flavour from its freshwater springs. Here you have a chance to explore the local distilleries of Coal Ila and Bunnahabhain and on the west side of the island, Kilchoman distillery.
And away from whisky; of all the Hebridean islands Islay boasts the richest bird life with over 180 recorded species and if you love geese, a major wintering area for Barnacle geese. There is also an increasing number of White-tailed eagles present, which also love geese!
