Little Colonsay Island
Small uninhabited Scottish island in Inner Hebrides
Small, largely uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides reachable by private boat; visitors and birdwatchers come for rugged coastline, seabird colonies and quiet sea‑kayaking routes.
Little Colonsay at a Glance#
Address: Little Colonsay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland (approach from Colonsay)
Admission: Free (landing often by private arrangement)
About Little Colonsay#
Little Colonsay is a small, uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland located near the larger island of Colonsay. It is characterized by coastal cliffs, rocky shores and maritime habitats rather than built features.
The island has no permanent settlement and is typically of interest for its natural environment and coastal scenery, including seabird habitats and shoreline geology. Access is by private boat from nearby islands when conditions permit.
Little Colonsay lies off the west coast of Scotland within the archipelago of the Inner Hebrides, part of the broader coastal island landscape.
How to Get to Little Colonsay#
There are no scheduled public services to Little Colonsay. Access is by private boat or charter from Colonsay (which itself has ferry links to Oban). Landing is at the pleasure - and permission - of the island’s owner; visitors should arrange access in advance through Colonsay harbour operators or local boatmen.
Tips for Visiting Little Colonsay#
- Little Colonsay is not serviced by public ferries - arrange a local charter from Colonsay or Oban and clarify landing permissions with the island owner or estate.
- Respect nesting seabirds and seals; keep dogs off shorelines during breeding season.
- Bring binoculars: the island rewards quiet observation rather than exploration.
Best Time to Visit Little Colonsay#
Best visited in summer when sea conditions are calmer and wildlife is most active.
Weather & Climate near Little Colonsay#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 4°C to 16°C. Abundant rainfall (1767 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 5° - 8° | 2° | 215 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 8° | 1° | 131 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 8° | 3° | 160 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 10° | 5° | 93 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 77 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 10° - 14° | 12° | 82 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.3h |
| July | Acceptable | 12° - 16° | 14° | 106 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 12° - 16° | 14° | 131 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.9h |
| September | Poor | 11° - 15° | 13° | 178 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 12° | 10° | 197 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 10° | 5° | 203 mm | overcast | 85% | 7.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 8° | 3° | 194 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
