Colonsay

Colonsay and Oronsay, two of the Argyllshire Hebrides, 16 miles NNW. of Port Askaig in Islay, separated from each other by a sound, 100 yards wide, and dry at low-water. Colonsay, which rises to a height of 493 feet, is 16 sq. m. in area; Oronsay, only 3. On the latter are a sculptured cross and a 14th-century Austin priory, with some curious effigies; whilst in the former are standing stones, a bone cave, Colonsay House (1722), and an obelisk to the memory of the lawyer, Duncan McNeill, Lord Colonsay (1794-1874). Pop. (1851) 933; (1891) 381, of whom 23 were in Oronsay.