The Colonsay Hotel

Rooms

Checking into The Colonsay feels rather like wandering into a friend's characterful country pile - hang up your jacket, kick off your muddy wellies and head up to your room with glass of whisky in hand.

With 9 rooms in total, all located on the first floor, you might not find grand interior flourishes but what you will find are clean, comfortable rooms with high ceilings, sash windows and creaky floorboards. The original old island house charm has been pepped up with pretty fabrics by the likes of Designers Guild and Pierre Frey, as well as Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down pillows.

For dramatic sea views overlooking the Isle of Jura, choose a Classic or Superior room at the front of the house. The 2 Superior Doubles are the largest and, in our opinion, worth the extra cost if available. If Rover is coming with you, there's a choice of 2 dog-friendly rooms: Classic Double/Twin and Standard Double (can take one dog each). For solo travelers, the Single room offers cosy accommodation at the back of the house, although its bathroom is not ensuite (the only one which isn't). The Family room will suit those travelling with children: its separate sitting room can be made up with a double sofabed.

It's worth mentioning that some of the twin rooms are on the cosy side, and most of the beds are standard width (rather than queen- or kingsize) pine frames; but this is a place which sets out to be comfy rather than grand, and we slept very well. All rooms have tea- and coffee-making facilities, but don’t expect to find the usual distractions like a minibar or TV (unless you're staying in one of the Superior Doubles, Ardskenish, which has a flat-screen TV and a DVD player); bring a stack of good books instead.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

There’s a distinct timetable to mealtimes at The Colonsay, which caters around the arrival and departure of the ferry. So let’s start with dinner, which is served in the restaurant about half an hour after you arrive at the hotel. Our menu was simple but sound, with a range of starters including Colonsay oysters, gravadlax and cucumber pickle, and carrot and tarragon soup. For the main course, I chose sirloin steak, chips and herb butter: delicious. With fresh vegetables brought in from the gardens at the Colonsay Estate and lobster caught by local fishermen, there's a real feeling of a thriving market economy underpinning the workings of this restaurant.

In the morning, breakfast is a relaxed affair, served to your table: pastries, muffins and croissants topped off with delicious Colonsay honey. For an extra charge you can order a fully cooked Scottish breakfast.

Lunch is also served daily - you can try something lighter such as chicken breast, a house burger or homemade tarts; or grab a picnic and head out to the beaches and hills. But be aware that the local store is shut from lunchtime on Saturday till Monday morning.

If you fancy eating out, The Pantry above the pier in Scalasaig (a short walk away) serves simpler but much more affordable fare - fish and chips and salads, as well as excellent tea and cakes.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant

Activities

• Pack a picnic and head out to one of the island’s dozen deserted beaches - perfect for breezy walks, collecting shells and (if you're brave) a quick dip in summer
  
• Try surfing and catch a wave at Kiloran Bay on the Atlantic side of the island (you'll need a wetsuit)
  
• Fill your lungs with fresh air and enjoy a brisk walk over the hills of Balnahard; or sign up for a guided walk - the RSPB offers them most days from Kiloran beach
  
• Visit the private gardens on the estate of Colonsay House (you get free entry if you book through i-escape), famous for their extensive collection of rhododendrons. They're open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays, and you can enjoy excellent lunches and afternoon teas (everything, including the bread, is baked on-site)
  
• Rent a bike and try out the Colonsay 8-mile circuit. You’ll see the advert for bike rental at the local store
  
• Go bird watching - Colonsay and Oronsay are home to 190 species of birds, including guillemots, cormorants and the occasional golden eagle
  
• Play golf on the island’s 18-hole course (full membership is available to all) or have a game of tennis at the court at Colonsay House (open to hotel guests)
  
• Visit the Colonsay Brewery and enjoy a bottle or 2 of its golden nectar
  
• Organise a day of trout fishing, arranged through the Colonsay Fly-Fishing Association
  
• Kick up your heels and attend one of the local Ceilidhs held on a Saturday night in the village hall
  
• Cross at low tide to explore the 14th-century ruined priory on Oronsay, with its spectacular carved cross

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites

Kids

Families will feel welcome, this hotel has a big country house vibe. Cots can be provided in most rooms, and an extra bed can be added in one of the Superior Doubles (Ardskenish). In good weather, Colonsay is an ideal place to introduce your kids to the delights of the outdoors - from beach combing to hill walking, swimming and surfing. Ardskenish has a TV and DVD player for those difficult, rainy days.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Family room has a double bedroom, plus a sitting room with space for 2 extra guests; one of the Superior Doubles (Ardskenish) can take an extra bed.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 5 minutes
• Hospital: 5 minutes
• Shop: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Colonsay Hotel is set on the Isle of Colonsay, in the Southern Hebrides off the coast of Scotland. It's about 1km from the ferry pier in Scalasaig.

By Air
There's a small airport on the island and Hebridean Air operates a weekly service from Oban to Colonsay. These flights connect to Islay, and therefore to Glasgow. Additional flights are sometimes available during other months. If you fly, someone from the hotel will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel free of charge.

By Ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne operates car ferry sailings every day from the end of March until the third week of October, and four times a week from November to March. The sailing takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, subject to weather conditions. Someone from the hotel will meet you at the ferry pier and drive you to the hotel free of charge.

Getting to Oban
From Glasgow you can take the train to Oban (3 hours), or drive (approx 2.5 hours, but often longer in adverse weather conditions). Either way, you will need to arrive at least half an hour before the ferry departs. If you want to leave your car on the mainland, the nearest car park to the ferry terminal is the Kelvin Hotel car park, which costs approx £5 per day.

There's also a Citylink bus service to Oban from Glasgow but timings don't currently dovetail with the ferry (the return ferry reaches Oban after the last bus has left for Glasgow).

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.