COLONSAY AND ORANSAY. GEN. DESCRIP. 259 



COLONSAY, AND ORANSAY.* 



IT is unnecessary to separate these two islands in 

 description, as their geographical connexion is not less 

 intimate than their physical structure is identical. They 

 form, in fact, but two parts of one chain of hills, which, 

 by their general bearing and conformity to the Schistose 

 islands, and more particularly to the western parts of 

 Isla, may be considered as portions of the same set 

 of strata, the intermediate parts being concealed by 

 the intervening sea. They are extremely uninteresting 

 in a geological view, and might, but for their topo- 

 graphical claims, have passed unnoticed. 



They are situated about nine miles to the northward 

 of Isla, but somewhat westerly; the collective length 

 of the two being about twelve miles, of which Colonsay 

 occupies nearly ten. The strait by which they are 

 separated is nearly a mile broad, and becomes dry at 

 low water. 



Colonsay is a hilly island, about three miles in breadth 

 where widest, and presenting on each side, when 

 viewed from the sea, an aspect of rudeness, which in 

 a great measure disappears on crossing either of the 

 ridges that skirt the shore at its northern end. A 

 valley containing a fresh water lake is here found, 

 extending for a considerable space in the direction of 

 the length of the island, which is distinguished for the 

 excellence of its pastoral and agricultural system. The 

 elevations of the hills do not appear to exceed seven 

 or eight hundred feet, nor are they characterized by 

 any peculiarity of feature. The natives point out caves 

 in the cliffs, which on examination prove to be mere 



* From Saints in the Gaelic Calendar, and, like all the rest, of 

 Irish origin. See the Map of Isla and Jura. 



