Island at the Edge-Colonsay- Facing the Abyss?

The news here is that as part of the medium term plan documented in the Ferry Review we are to have a dedicated boat for Colonsay from 2014, the Loch Nevis. 
Wow, one would think, 7 sailings per week with our very own dedicated boat! The Loch Nevis is a super boat, but, and this is a big BUT, her capacity is only a quarter of our wonderful LOTI (Lord of the Isles)!
Which means, if you wish to come to Colonsay and bring your car, you might not be able to because, during our short season, a very, very busy period we can see up to 43 cars disembark from the ferry, and the Loch Nevis can only hold 14 cars! Whereas our wonderful current dedicated boat,  LOTI, holds 56!
Now, then, it doesn't take much to do a wee calculation. If the Loch Nevis only holds 14 cars (or 2 articulated lorries) the actual capacity for vehicles on this boat becomes even less. 
On every boat that comes to our Island at the Edge, Maclennans van brings our much needed shop supplies, including the post. The bin wagon arrives too, that drops the capacity to possibly 11 cars. Then on a Wednesday, we get an additional courier, Derek Wilson, (although in the summer months, we may still have the Finlaggan) but at the beginning and end of our season and over the winter months, this would drop the capacity to 10 cars.  
Another fact is that the Loch Nevis is slower than LOTI, this would therefore make the crossing to/from  Oban longer. By my calculations up to 30 minutes longer. So how does this equate to the idea we can have shopping trips to Oban?
But, Loch Nevis can carry 190 foot passengers, this can only mean increased business for 'Archie the Magnificent's' Bike Hire, and a raft of very fit visitors - having to walk everywhere.
Most non self-catering accommodation does offer transfers to and from their businesses and we also offer car hire. The positives are there is always a way around things. 
Loch Nevis may be economically viable during the winter months although pre-booking would be paramount for those wishing to bring their vehicle.

As reported in the Oban Times  Colonsay Community Council chairman, Mike McNichol said.
"We are delighted with the additional sailings and having a dedicated vessel, which will be very good for Colonsay during the winter months. However, we are concerned that the vehicle capacity of the Loch Nevis, which we believe is just 14 cars, will have a severe impact on island life and tourism during the peak periods of Easter and Summer. Currently we regularly have 30 cars plus trailers with boats, etc in June and July. The Community Council will hold a public meeting early in January to see what our community thinks about this plan and how we should react"

Will this decision put our wee island further into the Abyss and further 'out of reach' for those wishing to visit us.
We would love to hear all your comments on this! I will keep you posted.

Christmas on Colonsay...

Christmas on Colonsay was wonderful this year, sadly no snow, but we did glimpse a wee covering on the Paps of Jura.
The ferry came in on Christmas Eve.

I think most folk who were expected on our wee island had already arrived and those from our island had already headed off to the mainland to celebrate with their family and friends as there were few vehicles on this boat, but still wonderful to see.

Christmas morning up with the larks and out to feed the boys and girls. 

Tups - Ewan-san, Big Fella, Wee Man and their mates

All the Girlies

The weather has since closed in and yesterday's ferry (Friday) didn't even leave Oban! But we are used to the wind and rain here. It's quite comforting to sit all warm and cosy, looking out over the Atlantic and watching the weather fronts come in. We can even guess now how far away the front is!!

We all had a very relaxing time here at the Homestead, pure bliss if the truth be known. 

All packages sent off for our customers were received, so we can heave a sigh of relief.

We have a wee sale of some of our items, 20% off until the 5th January, so knitting has commenced once again. But, if you are here, or coming here to our wonderful wee island during Hogmanay, you can come and see for yourself. I will be around at the Homestead and all our island wares are on display in my Studio. You are more than welcome...

For those of you out there who can't make it to Colonsay, you can see the sale items on our website: www.island-at-the-edge.co.uk 
Preparations are in full flow for Hogmanay here on Colonsay. So it goes without saying...
Have a wonderful and Happy New Year everyone, we wish you all health, wealth and happiness for 2013. Its going to be a fantastic year.

A winters morn at Colonsay International Airport...

What a truly glorious morning here on the wee Isle of Colonsay!
I have been to Colonsay International Airport to send shipments, in time for Christmas to  our customers. A cold and frosty morning, but the views are just spectacular.

Julie, our wonderful Pilot (as can be seen on BBC Landward which was aired last weekend  (Only 3 days left to view it, but well worth a look) was today's pilot. She makes flying a plane look so easy!

Hebridean Air Services have informed us that they are flying to Colonsay on Christmas Eve, so if you are coming over to visit family, friends or to enjoy a wee break, what a lovely way to arrive. But don't forget, they fly via the Isle of Islay too, the home of Whisky for Girls and I highly recommend taking a wee peek at their website.
There are 3 days left for shipping goods in time for Christmas, so if you haven't quite finished your festive shopping (or like me and have only just started), we have lots of goodies on Hebridean Isles Trading Company website.

What a busy bee I be...

It has been all go here at the Homestead, a busy bee indeed I be.
Yesterday I was with several others, selling our wares, at our Christmas Sale in the Pub! We had a lovely time, lots of goodies to eat and Mulled wine courtesy of Mrs. Beaton and Gavalus Gavalar.
Captain Flack was landlord for the day - a natural behind the bar I should say. Thank you to everyone that took part and Eskie for organising things.
But that's not all I have been busy with.
Several of my latest designs are hot off the needles. I thoroughly enjoy thinking up new designs and the feedback has been truly lovely. 
The first completed is the Kiloran Sweater. Inspired by the wonderful film, I Know Where I am Going, this is my interpretation of the fabulous sweater worn by Roger Livesey. For further details see our knitwear page.

Kiloran Sweater

Next is 'a little peice of Lola' a Harris Tweed and Hebridean wool Waistcoat. Lola, one of our sheep, is actually a wedder, but he doesn't mind being called Lola, I did ask him! He has a wonderful fleece. It's grey rather than the rich chocolate brown of his pals. This inspired me to produce the Harris Tweed and Hebridean wool waistcoat. I also managed to source some fabulous Antler buttons which I think work very well. To see what you think, have a peek at the Textiles page of our website.

Harris Tweed & a 'little piece of Lola'

Then, yes, I told you I had been very, very busy.
Here is the Braveheart and Hebridean Waistcoat. I thought the rich chocolate brown of the Hebridean wool, worked so well with the Braveheart Tweed, I produced this! For more details see our Textiles page. 

Braveheart Tweed & Hebridean 

And there's more...
Last but by no means least here is the Plain Gansey, knitted with wonderful Colonsay Hebridean wool. 

The Plain Gansey is available either knitted for you or as a knitting kit for you to knit at home. Everything is supplied, wool, needles, pattern and even the bag to put your knitting in! For details of the knitting kit, contact us.Or if you prefer the 'ready to wear' Gansey, here are the details of our Knitwear page.






And finally, although not made by me, but by Anne, here on Colonsay, are these wonderful babies cot quilts. She is such a talented lady, I think they are truly wonderful. These too are available on the Textiles page of our website.

Anne's wonderful quilted cot blankets.

So what next! A well earned break? No, the next designs are in the making!

Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) arrives in Colonsay...

OOh, aahh, nom nom!! 
What an absolute treat Kapitein, Samster, Wolfie and I had last night! St Nicholas arrived with a wonderful package of fabulous goodies.
Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) travelled to Colonsay all the way from the Netherlands. I am not sure if he was wearing his red bishop's robes but he travels with his servant called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). 

They delivered the most delightful package of traditional goodies for us all to eat. Kapitein and I didn't know where to start!
We chomped on Gevuld Speculaas - a spiced cake filled with almond paste, Speculaas Staaf - a type of spiced biscuit log and the most delicious Bakkers Speculass - spiced biscuits. 

Last but by no means least, we have the largest chocolate initials I have ever seen! Those will take some nibbling that's for sure.
In the Netherlands, when Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet come ashore in the boat all the way from Madrid, all of the local church bells ring in celebration. Sinterklaas then leads a procession through the town, riding a white horse. 
We are told that Zwarte Piet keeps a record of all the things we have done in the past year, in a book, and if we have been good, we will get presents from Sinterklaas, but if we have been bad we will get chased by Zwarte Piet with a stick!
So it's official, Kapitein, Samster, Wolfie and I must have been very, very good this year. 

Have your finished your Christmas shopping yet?
If not, we have some wonderful gift ideas on: www.island-at-the-edge.co.uk Happy shopping.

New freight handling system for Colonsay International Airport

The Big Green Bogey has made it's début at Colonsay International Airport.
We have utilised every type of transportation since starting the Air Freight just over a year ago here on Colonsay. We have had the Pilots, Fire Crew, Airport Managers, Passengers and even local dignitaries, help us to carry freight to and from the plane. Occasionally, we had to utilise a rather inappropriate mode of transport when time was of the essence. 

Picture courtesy of Alan Reid MP 

But we have moved on, we found this wonderful 'Green' Bogey, just perfect for moving freight, passenger luggage and anything else for that matter (no, I wasn't allowed a ride in the bogey onto the Apron - but seriously wanted to). Julie was just delighted when it appeared this week!

Passenger luggage loaded onto the plane

So, Colonsay International Airport now has it's own freight handling system!! Onward transportation is courtesy of Hebridean Air Services. Perfect...

The sun is shining here and not a breath of wind today as the Mainland is once again bearing the brunt of the weather. We could see the snow on the peaks as we looked towards the mainland from Balnahard beach.
But there is so much to see at Balnahard, the snow is less of a distraction - especially as we are wishing and hoping to see at least a good covering here, rather than the odd shower.
The wild goats are just spectacular, they are less shy than of late - obviously getting used to us going there on a regular basis. The Billy Goats have the most amazing horns and stand proud amongst their Harem. It is reputed that these goats arrived on Colonsay around the time of the Armada! 

Wild Goats - South side of Balnahard Bay

Then, to our utter amazement, the Golden Eagle circled overhead. We hid behind the dunes and watched as it headed towards a small outcrop in the bay. It was harrying an Otter!
The Otter obviously had something rather delicious for lunch! The Eagle landed within a couple of feet of the Otter and then made off with a carrion lunch - this puts a completely different slant on 'Carry out'. We were around 4-5 metres away and could make out the fantastic detail of both the Otter and the Eagle, absolutely delightful.
The Otter stayed a wee while, then off back into the sea to replenish the larder, as the Eagle headed towards the Eerie. 
As we sat a while, we watched about half a dozen Choughs doing their aerobatics, they could give the Red Arrows a run for their money.
When we decided to head back to the Homestead we crossed the dunes. We saw the Buzzard and then the Hen Harrier quartering over the high ground. Colonsay is paradise for budding and devoted wildlife watchers even in the depths of winter, there is so much to see and do. Well worth a visit!