Amazing Oronsay Priory

I love it when a plan comes together, especially when previous attempts failed. As residents on Islay we should, in theory, get regular opportunities to visit our neighbouring Isle of Colonsay. However, it’s not always easy to do this as the weather has to cooperate and the ferries too. Things get more complicated when Oronsay is involved as the tides have to be out on the right time, the weather has to be good and the ferries have to run according to schedule. Yesterday was such a day, the weather was amazing, it was the first day with wall to wall sunshine. Ferries were running according to schedule and the tides were favourable as well, meaning we had almost three hours to cross “The Strand” between Colonsay and Oronsay and head for Oronsay Priory, a return trip of five miles.

We’ve visited quite a few islands over the years, in fact we did most of the Hebridean Islands in Scotland, but we weren’t quite prepared for the beauty of Oronsay and the Priory. The views walking down to the south of Oronsay are fabulous, with the Paps of Jura and Islay dominating the skyline. The song of Skylarks fills the air while Chough fly over as you walk towards one of the best preserved and most impressive priories in Scotland. Oronsay Priory is not that easy to reach because the island has no ferry or road connection. The only connection is over a tidal mudflat so therefore you are usually alone here together with the Peacocks, the ancient priory buildings, the beautiful crosses and the large number of well preserved grave slabs. This is an outstandingly beautiful area and I would highly recommend a visit. We have created a dedicated page for the Oronsay Priory as well as a dedicated Oronsay Priory Image Gallery. We hope you enjoy the info and many pictures and we wish you can make this trip at some point as well, it is fascinating and very rewarding!