There we were, as recently as Issue 114 on May 1st, bemoaning the fact, and effect, of "Tempus Fugit".
And then, ever since the potential new owners of the Hotel announced that they hoped to open "before the end of the month", time has suddenly seemed to drag. For many islanders, each new day has since seemed to stretch before them like eternity, producing as its side-effect a dullness and lethargy.
Quickness of step miraculously returned however on the 22nd when the first barrels of beer were seen coming off the ferry. The home straight was in sight! No longer would Colonsay be the butt of jokey news items around the world as the Scottish West Coast island with no bar!
And then, two days later, a Pavlovian bell was rung in the form of Angus MacPhee leaving the island with a large van to collect "supplies" for the new bar, and salivated speech suddenly became prevalent in the populace. Impromptu jigs broke out and Colonsay, as if by magic, became a veritable "Brigadoon" on acid.
Raising the intemperate temperature further was the sudden announcement that the Bar would open on the evening of Thursday the 26th and not the Friday evening as had been anticipated, (the island population being swelled on the Friday with 150 or so souls over for the holiday weekend).
Well, it was like V.E. day all over again; grown men (and women), already salivating, burst into tears of joy and expect(or)ation. Old scores were settled, old wounds healed - and not a drop had yet reached a lip. The power of anticipation! Hopefully the Hotel could deliver...
The big day dawned. Soon, those who had camped out overnight at the Bar door realised that it was of course an evening opening...
A few hours later, your Editor broke his cover from the bushes in the garden, and ventured forth into the Hotel. Well, it didn't look as if it would be opening in two weeks, never mind two hours, did it? :
But open it was, and the Corncrake camera crew who were assigned the task of recording the event were met with this sight (and, it has to be said, the smell of paint...):
So the "hot" favourites to be the first customer (all members of the infamous "Black Circle", see photograph below) didn't even feature in the Winner's enclosure. Even Wattie, described as "a dark horse and a good each-way bet", was not to be seen.
But the evening drove on " wi' songs and clatter, and aye the ale was growing better"... At length, the Quiz took place, and it is with great pride that we can report that, against formidable Visitor competition, it was a Colonsay team that took the honours.
By this time, the paint on the walls was thankfully dry, but the newly-painted floor was still a wee bit tacky, and if you didn't move your feet every few seconds, there was a definite tendency to get stuck. Which of course gave not a few revellers the quite unique opporunity of accurately relating to their questioning spouse that they had literally "got stuck in the Bar"...
Seriously though, it is to be hoped that our next Issue will carry interviews with Alex and/or other members of the buying consortium, with details of their aspirations for the long-term sustainability of the Hotel. It is, as the last six months have shown, an integral part of both island community life and the Visitor experience.
For any Reader unfamiliar with the story of the "Arandora Star", the vessel was sunk on July 2nd 1940, with the loss of more than 800 souls. Over 850 survivors were rescued by the Canadian destroyer HMCS "St Laurent", but the remains of some hundreds of those who perished were never recovered. A small number were eventually carried by wind and tide to a landfall in Colonsay, including the remains of Giuseppe Delgrosso, a native of Borgo Val di Taro in northern Italy. He was brought ashore by Donald Gibbie and his father at Leam a' Bhriar and a modest memorial at the spot to the victims of the tragedy has long been discussed as being a worthy idea.
Kevin Byrne however grasped the issue, designed a memorial stone, produced a suitable inscription and then set up a fund to raise the money to cover the costs involved.
Well, the funds have been raised, the memorial stone ordered and brought to the island and, as can be seen from Kevin's photograph, the plaque has now been put into position :
Our photograph shows Don MacLeod minutes after affixing the plaque to a cliff face, during the process of which, it is reported, he was heard to question the parentage of the plaque, the cliff face and even his drill. Pictured with him is his new chauffeur, John Bridges. It is not reported whether John's parentage was brought into question.
Having been funded, purchased and erected, it now remains for the memorial stone to be dedicated, and a dedication service has been arranged for Noon on Saturday 2nd July. A warm invitation is extended to anyone who may wish to attend, including all who contributed towards the work and of course to all those who have a personal connection with the tragedy. A special invitation is also extended to any piper who could attend on the day - your own bagpipes would be handy too!
On a practical note, please note that the site is fairly remote and entails a walk of more than 1 kilometre each way, across rough heather moorland. For further details of this or any other aspect, please contact Kevin Byrne at : byrne@colonsay.org.uk or on 01951 200 320.
A New flying doctor service - established as a pilot project in Argyll and Bute in October - has recently undertaken five life-saving missions in as many days.
The area's new helicopter emergency medical retrieval service, which is unique in the UK, is similar to the system which is used in parts of Australia and Canada. It aims to support rural GPs, in remote hospitals, to care for seriously ill and injured patients. The NHS Argyll & Clyde and NHS Greater Glasgow project sees teams from the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, and the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, providing the service on a weekly rota basis. Team members have attended 23 callouts since the start date of the year-long pilot project.
Team leader Dr Stephen Hearns, consultant in emergency medicine based at the Royal Alexandra, said the project was proving to be a great success and added: "Our service aims to bring the emergency department resuscitation room to the patient. Operating in small community hospitals and indeed at the scene of accidents, the team can provide life-saving critical care interventions such as emergency anaesthesia, physiological monitoring, chest injury management and a range of intensive care drugs." He added: "This recent retrieval activity demonstrates a definite need for this pilot scheme to be made permanent and made available to other rural communities in Scotland."
The service, which works in close co-operation with the air wing of the Scottish Ambulance Service, is expecting a sharp increase in demand during the tourist season. Not on Colonsay, it is to be hoped.
Ach, the excitement and reverberations of Angus MacPhee's recent DNA test just seem to go on and on. In order that Readers can share to some degree in the buzz that this has created, here is an extract from a recent communication received from Judy A. (MacPhee) LeDrew, of Prince Edward Island. Those Readers who pay attention will recall that Angus' DNA test revealed that he shared a common ancestor with Judy and with Clan Commander Sandy in Australia :
"Greetings to everyone in Colonsay, and especially to my new relative.....Colonsay resident, Angus MacPhee!!!
The recent DNA match between Angus, Commander Sandy McPhie of Australia, and myself, has caused great excitement in my family here in Prince Edward Island. Hopefully the 'paper trail' connection that has been made between myself and Commander Sandy, will also someday be made with Angus' family.
In order that there is no confusion........just want to say that the actual 'match' is with my brother, who is the one who took the test. This test must be taken by a male with the MacPhee surname (any spelling), and I was just the one who agreed to have my name used. Let me assure you, however, that my brother Tom shares enthusiastically in all this excitement. He visited Colonsay in 1987, and now we think how wonderful it would have been to have known this back then.
Also, for the sake of accuracy, I am happy to report that our name is spelled "MacPhee".......exactly the same as the spelling used by your Angus!
To all MacPhee's out there of any spelling......please consider joining Rod Macduff's DNA project. The results can be exciting and rewarding, and possibly more enlightening, as more matches are attained. We are absolutely thrilled with the results we have received to date, and look forward to learning more."
There certainly is something in the air, and as if physical evidence of it was needed, here is a photograph taken only the other day of the sky directly above Dùn Eibhinn, from where of course the MacPhees ruled the island for centuries :
Aye, we can't even begin to comprehend the powerful supernatural forces that have been stirred from centuries of slumber by the identity of our true Lord and Master having been revealed. Mind you, in hindsight we might have guessed, Angus always having an affinity with spirits...
Gigha Renewable Energy Ltd established the UK’s first grid-connected, community-owned windfarm. In so doing, the community broke new ground and learned many valuable lessons and made a valuable investment in a more sustainable future.
As more and more communities become interested in the opportunities offered through renewable energy, the Gigha community has organised a seminar entitled "Energising our Communities". The seminar, which runs from 15th to 17th June, on Gigha, will seek to empower and inspire delegates in becoming full stakeholders through highlighting examples of community renewable projects as well as giving practical advice and guidance.
The seminar will involve funders, construction companies and other professionals who could help organisations to get their project off the ground. At time of writing, the Colonsay Development Company hope to be represented at the seminar.
Our poem this Issue comes from the pen of the man with the dubious honour of being The Corncrake Caption Competition's most prolific, and successful, entrant.
Yes, it's that man Mark Hemmings, whose all-too-short time on the island had a very profound effect, as can be gleaned from the poem that he has kindly submitted for our delectation :
We arrived in a gale force wind,
We thought "welcome to Colonsay"
Rain stinging like needles and pins.
As we awoke to a sun filled day,
We knew the move was right,
To gaze in awe as scene by scene,
The island displayed its delights.
It's impossible to describe its beauty,
As everyone who has seen will know,
Simple words can't get anywhere near,
Although "Paradise"gets quite close.
There are other islands in the world,
Some will say they pass the test
But they havn't got the Colonsay people,
And they make "our island"the best.
There are far too many to mention,
All characters with massive hearts,
A smile and a welcome for everyone,
And that is just the start.
They made our year so memorable,
Colonsay so gentle and slow,
Outside circumstances forced a change,
It broke our hearts to go.
We had twelve months of heaven,
A pity we had to leave,
A special thanks to Christine,
For helping us to live our dream.
Thank you for that, Mark.
If you think you could contribute to The Corncrake Poetry Corner, the staff in Corncrake Towers would be delighted to hear from you - less work for us!
And now for something completely different. Well, perhaps a variation on a theme.
This is the first in a series of occasional features for The Corncrake, where Readers will have the opportunity to identify a location on Colonsay or Oransay from a photograph. The photographs will feature prominent features of the landscape, but taken from an unusual angle. Or, occasionally, the photograph may be taken at a remote spot, off the beaten track.
So, eagle-eyed Readers, just where on Colonsay or Oransay would you be if you came upon this scene? :
The prize for correctly identifying the spot is, in true Corncrake tradition, of a non-materialistic nature, being simply the joy of participation. Enjoy!
Oh, and if you have any photographs which you think would be suitable for this occasional feature, The Corncrake would be pleased to hear from you.
Our photograph from Issue 115, one provided by John Clark, was of a "fine body of men" and involved quite a few communications before identities, year and location could be established :
Taking location first, those Readers who identified the steading at Balnahard can go to the top of the class, but don't be thinking of taking your books with you just yet.
And as for the identities of those involved, the current thinking is as follows :
Left to Right - Alastair "Annie", Andrew (A.S.) McNeill, Donald "Ban" MacIntyre, Jimmy Watson,
Donald (D.A.) MacNeill, Hugh Galbraith, Peter (no beard!) Kelly, Angus Clark and finally Jimmie Monhan.
And lastly, the year is thought to be 1955 or thereabouts. And if you disagree with any of the above, don't blame your Editor - he's only the messenger...
Moving on then to our next photograph in the series, The Corncrake does not somehow seem complete these days without a mention somewhere of the petrol pump. Except that in this case it's not the new pump but the one which it replaced, and the occasion is the celebration of its inauguration back in... well, just when was it? As usual, name the people, and as a special treat (again courtesy of John Clark), there are TWO photographs to savour! :
,
Congratulations are the order of the day for three Kilchattan Primary School pupils who recently took, and passed, their Cycling Proficiency Tests. Stand up and take a bow, Emma Gillespie, Morag Grant and Caitlin McNeill.
On a day of wind and rain, the girls elected to take the now compulsory written exam first, hoping for an improvement in the weather before venturing out to do the practical test. It was not to be however, and with the practical test being held at the "link road" at Kiloran, the girls were fairly saturated by the time they dripped their way back into school.
It was however worth it as the Examiner announced that all three girls had passed and duly presented them with their hard-earned certificates. Our photograph, courtesy of Carol MacNeill, shows the delighted girls with their examiner :
Oh, and through The Corncrake, the girls would like to send big kisses to Archie for his loan of bikes, without which they most likely would not have been able to show their proficiency. Ah Archie, a hero yet again!
Dave Rees recently struck a deal with John Olivant to purchase his boat "Saxon", John having decided, despite having the advantage of a skipper's beard, to give up his seafaring ways and return to being a landlubber.
Dave then decided to do remedial work on the boat at home and so hooked up the boat trailer to the back of his vehicle. Setting off very gingerly, he was soon up the Manse Brae and past Glassard. Up and over "Spion Kop" he continued, safely negotiating the "Z Bends", and down the twists and turns of Laonairidh on the other side. Onto the home straight, and with the smell of Mary's cooking almost within nostril distance, disaster struck. Without warning, the trailer suddenly collapsed in fairly spectacular fashion :
Dave is a resourceful chap however, and whilst many men may have ran screaming into the horizon, he soon improvised a pinch bar as an axle, got a couple of wheels, assorted washers, nuts and bolts, some sticking plaster and goodness knows what else, and an hour or three later the boat reached "The Whins".
Every cloud, it is said, has a silver lining, and for Dave, it was the location that the trailer chose to collapse. Almost everywhere else on the island's circular road would have meant a blocked road, with drivers having to turn and go the other way round the island to their destination, perhaps even cursing Dave under their breath as they drove.
As can be seen from the photograph however, Dave's trailer chose to collapse at "Spaghetti Junction", as the slip road at Kiloran is affectionately known. Just how lucky can one man get!
Oh, and our thanks for the photograph go to a passing school bus driver, who wishes to remain anonymous.
In Issue 114, we reported that two local residents, Sheena Nisbet and Mel Pocklington, are hoping to resurrect the long-defunct but hugely enjoyable Colonsay Sports. A tentative date of 16th July has been selected for the Sports, with a fund-raising ceilidh being held a fortnight earlier.
We also mentioned that Sheena and Mel were on the look-out for the trophies won on the last Sports Day, normally kept by the winners for a year but with the demise of the event, the trophies have never been returned. This appeal has, unfortunately, fallen on deaf ears. So, on behalf of the girls, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check your trophy cabinet today, and if you have a Colonsay Sports trophy, give one of the girls a ring. Sheena and Mel's phone numbers are 104 and 253 respectively. Be a sport!
Many Readers have been in touch, unable to wait for this Issue to hit the streets, and anxious to learn how Netta's shed/taigh beag/time machine project is progressing.
There are times when words just seem so hopelessly inadeqate, and a pictorial presentation of progress seems the most appropriate method of conveying the stark reality of a situation. So, here it is :
Yes, it looks as if this news item could become a regular feature of The Corncrake over the months to come...
Our caption photograph from Issue 114 (and carried forward to Issue 115), featured two young things obviously out for a good time. But just who are these girls and, indeed, where are they?
Taking the latter question first, eagle-eyed Readers with good memories may have identified the bar of the Colonsay Hotel, prior to its revamp of a handful of years ago, the girls sitting on the bench-style seating opposite the bar counter. As to their identities, the good-time girl look of the pair of them was a bit of a give-away was it not? So, what could Jeanette and Jessie be up to?
Well, with the competition running for a full month, there was a record number of Readers having a stab at providing a suitable caption and honorary mentions must go to Frank, Netta, Liz McNicholl, Iain MacAllister, Mark Hemmings and Malcolm Menzies, but the selected entry on this occasion came from the pen of Chris Nisbet :
Turning our attention now to this Issue's caption photograph, this was recently donated to The Corncrake by a man who, in the interests of his short-term health and well-being, has asked that his identity be withheld. Always glad to oblige, Calum.
As can be seen from the photograph, it was taken from on board a recent ferry and features three unsuspecting gentlemen on the pier below :
Entries as usual to : editorcorncrake@yahoo.co.uk ; by telephone : 01951 200336 ; or by post to : A.N.Other, The Corncrake Caption Competition (Issue 116), c/o The Editorial Suite, The Corncrake, Corncrake Towers, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61 7YW, Scotland. Calls will of course be charged at premium rates.
Please note that there is also a Notice Board on the Homepage; anyone wishing to publicise any event or attraction is invited to send details to the Editor.
THE ISLAND HALL:
BADMINTON - every Tuesday and Thursday c.5pm.
LANDSCAPE DRAWING CLASSES - Saturday 2pm (Weather permitting. Meet at Hall).
THE ISLAND HALL is also available for rent: Ceilidhean, dances etc. £50; private parties £75; weddings £100.
JUNE
Saturday 4th Golf Club Ceilidh (Golf Competition in the afternoon).
Saturday 11th Private wedding PM
Monday 20th MacDougall Collection ALL WEEK
JULY
Saturday 2nd Sports Day Ceilidh
Saturday 9th CCDC Ceilidh
Saturday 16th Hall Committee Ceilidh
Saturday 23rd Poppy Ceilidh
Saturday 30th Hall Committee Ceilidh
AUGUST
Thursday 4th Visitors Ceilidh
Saturday 6th Gun Club Ceilidh
Tuesday 9th CCDC Ceilidh
Saturday 13th Hall Committee Ceilidh
Saturday 20th Golf Club Ceilidh
THE PANTRY:
The following times apply currently:
Monday to Friday - 9am to 8pm
Saturdays only - 9am to 7pm
Sundays only - 2pm to 7pm
THE ISLAND STORES:
Opening hours as of Monday 28th March :
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday : 9am - 1pm; 2pm - 5.30pm
Thursday : 9am - 2pm
Saturday : 9am - 1pm
Sunday : CLOSED ALL DAY.
COLONSAY HOUSE GARDENS and CAFÉ:
Wednesdays, 12 to 5pm, open for filled rolls, cakes, teas, coffees and cold drinks.
Fridays 3pm to 5pm, open for cakes, teas, coffees and cold drinks.
LOBSTER and CRAB: Freshly caught, telephone Bill Lawson 01951 200315.
CHURCH SERVICES: The Church of Scotland and the Baptist Church on the island work closely together and frequently hold joint services - please see notice at the Shop for details of venue and times. All are welcome and our visitors are cordially invited to join the island congregation.
For the convenience of our Readers, letters addressed to The Corncrake appear in two sections. Anything to do with current events appears here, and any letters concerned with historical research etc. appear under "Genealogical Letters" at the start of the REGULARS section of The Corncrake.
Dear Editor,
Greetings to everyone in Colonsay, and especially to my new relative.....Colonsay resident, Angus MacPhee!!!
The recent DNA match between Angus, Commander Sandy McPhie of Australia, and myself, has caused great excitement in my family here in Prince Edward Island. Hopefully the 'paper trail' connection that has been made between myself and Commander Sandy, will also someday be made with Angus' family.
In order that there is no confusion........just want to say that the actual 'match' is with my brother, who is the one who took the test. This test must be taken by a male with the MacPhee surname (any spelling), and I was just the one who agreed to have my name used. Let me assure you, however, that my brother shares enthusiastically in all this excitement. He visited Colonsay in 1987, and now we think how wonderful it would have been to have known this back then.
Also, for the sake of accuracy, I am happy to report that our name is spelled "MacPhee".......exactly the same as the spelling used by your Angus!
To all MacPhee's out there of any spelling......please consider joining Rod Macduff's DNA project. The results can be exciting and rewarding, and possibly more enlightening, as more matches are attained. We are absolutely thrilled with the results we have received to date, and look forward to learning more.
Sincerely,
Judy A. (MacPhee) LeDrew
PEI, Canada
bpatch@isn.net
Dear Editor,
We came to Colonsay at the beginning of May. The weather was great, the island is beautiful, and the people we spoke to were very nice - and helpful.
My husband's family on his mother's side came from the island. You will all probably know them Mr & Mrs Roger & Mary Mcintyre - they were his grand-parents.
We also caught up with Maryann and Eleanor, who remembered my husband all those years ago [in the pram] and we had a good laugh about the past. We stayed up at Calcraig and the view was beautiful, Hughie's house was lovely and big and spacious, plenty of room for the kids and the dog to run about, excellent. We spoke with Charlie McKinnon at the boat and he remembered the Mcintyre family we had a laugh - he is such a nice man. We did not have enough time to meet more people that we were hoping to meet - Dougie McGillvery and John Olivant, but hopefully the next time we come to the island we will all meet up .
Hey - Kiloran bay is beautiful! It looks like the Mediterranian. Don't let anything spoil it, it is beautiful. Hope to see you all soon.
We will come back again,
Christine Reid.
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
Further to the item in issue 115 on the election
of Danny Alexander as an MP, Dr George Craig, son of James
Craig, a reputed son of Duncan McNeill, Lord Colonsay,was
elected to the Cook Islands Parliament in 1898 as member for
the islands of Atiu and Mitiaro. Dr Craig was a Government
Medical Officer and Deputy British Resident in the Cook
Islands from 1897 to 1900.
His granddaughter Janet Mackey was elected to
the New Zealand Parliament in 1993 as member for Gisborne
and is to retire at the forthcoming general election. In
2003 her daughter Moana became a Labour list member, this
being the first mother-daughter combination in the House,
and has been nominated as a candidate for her mother's seat
at the election.
Yours sincerely,
Roderick Drummond.
1 Alma Crescent
Papakura
New Zealand
Dear Editor,
So the Hotel has a new name.
But "The Colonsay"? - sounds sort of Kensington-on-Sea ?
Could morph into "The Jolly Collie" (for the wet dogs & wellies)?
Or (tell Kate and Sid) Baby Puss suggests "The Cat and Corncrake" - and licks a thoughful paw...
But seriously, what's in a name (except history and affection and a sense of place)? So long as the Hotel offers good food and a welcoming Bar, the best of luck to it !
Angela Skrimshire.