COLONSAY BOOKSHOP, est. 1980

The Colonsay Bookshop is prominently located at Scalasaig, close to the Ferry Terminal and conveniently adjacent to The Island Shop, Post Office, Community Garden and the Colonsay Brewery. The Colonsay Bookshop stocks a wide variety of books of Scottish interest, including antiquarian works, and it also offers a carefully chosen range of gifts and jewellery - including exclusive hand-knitted baby clothes etc. The shop is open daily April through September from 10.30 until 12.30 a.m. (except Sundays) and also at all times of year by arrangement - just call 07789 866340.

We stock books by a very wide range of publishers and with special sections devoted to Natural History, Scottish Literature and Children's Interest, and of course we stock everything of immediate relevance to Colonsay itself. This page is devoted to a selection of such publications, which will be of especial interest to the visitor. We realise that we cannot match other online retailers for price and convenience of most books listed below, but we think it might be helpful to provide the titles for reference. The books that are out of print (O.O.P) are probably obtainable but at a considerable premium - it is always best to get Colonsay titles as soon as you can, whilst they are still in print.

The following books appear in no particular order; for fuller details please click the title to see the expanded description but - best of all - please call at our bookshop and inspect them for yourself. We value your custom and look forward to your visit. Please note availability and prices are correct in October 2026 and the list will be updated before we re-open for April 2027. We need to add details of the new Geology book, the brilliant edition of the Dewar Mss as relating to Colonsay with Jura and Islay, and the definitive Book of Islay (packed with important resource material).

  The Ordnance Survey map is the definitive one. You can download maps or you can obtain free tourist maps locally on arrival in Colonsay, but nothing is a substitute for an authentic O.S. map. The Ordnance Survey has been mapping Colonsay since 1880 and the detail is extraordinary - particularly useful for countour detail, land use and boundaries, and for placenames. The only obvious error is the transposition of Meall an Arbhair with Port a' Chrochaire, and the only annoyance is the inclusion of an expanse of featureless sea, coloured plain blue and comprising half the sheet! £12.99

  This little booklet has been popular for many years, part of a series for ramblers that covers most of Argyll. It includes details of 8 walks, mostly of just two or three hours duration, and it would encourage you to see most of the island. The directions are very straightforward and the text includes snippets of background information. £3.50

  This is an invaluable book for anyone with more than passing interest in natural history as the author, a native of Colonsay, was employed at Kew and was an accomplished botanist. His book begins with a fascinating and timeless "General Description" of the island, which includes a great deal of traditional information, and then moves via Climate and Geological Formation to an account of Woods, Locha and Pastures. The final section consists of 120 pages devoted to the flora, including Gaelic names and traditional uses where known. Brilliant. 216pp. £8.99

  To declare an interest, Kevin and Christa run the bookshop and this book was written by Kevin. It is laid out by area and, to quote the blurb: "In addition to a brief social history of each farm, all major and minor monuments are described, together with a detailed account of suggested routes for walkers. Read a chapter first, then walk it next day." This is a fairly comprehensive guide - it would be something of a challenge to see the whole island within anything less than a week, but at least this guide might make it possible. Illustrations. £17.50

  Written and researched by military historian Alan Davis, this book was produced in a limited edition, funded by the subscribers. It gives biographical details of everyone recorded on the Colonsay War Memorial, also all those from elsewhere whose mortal remains came to shore in Colonsay or Oronsay. It is a testament to the futility of war. This book will be treasured in years to come and, as publishers, we are immensely proud of it. Now out-of-print but it can be accessed in the copyright libraries.

 The Baptist Church played a fascinating and honoured role in the life of Colonsay since its foundation by Rev. Dugald Sinclair in 1812. At its centenary a history was written by John McNeill, which was for long out of print; to mark the bi-centenary it was republished, together with a further history written by the late Eleanor McNeill (Machrins Farm). It was published in an edition limited to 200 copies, ade possible by the initial subscribers. This little work (46 pp) will inevitably become a family heirloom. Now out-of-print but can be accessed in the copyright libraries.

 Published pro bono publico by Scottish Natural Heritage, this beautifully illustrated work by Dr. Jacon King and Eilidh Scammell is a fine introduction to the islands. The text is bi-lingual and gives a commentary upon many of the less well-known placenames, associating them with the political, geographical and cultural aspects of the island development. Now out-of-print but can be accessed in the copyright libraries.

  Researched and written in 2002 by David Jardine, who has a lifetime's knowledge of Colonsay's birdlife. It describes the status of birds under generic headings e.g. Suggested "Hotspots", Herons, Geese, Birds of Prey, Seabirds, Farming & Birds etc., and includes fascinating statistics and information reflecting the effects of changing land-use. A very informative publication which has withstood the test of time. £5.99

 State of the art, a magnificent piece of work, the result of many years of practical study and research by joint- authors David C. Jardine, Mike A. Peacock and Ian A. Fisher. In fact, 75 years of combined and detailed work in Colonsay, resulting in this definitive work, first published in 2017, and dealing in detail with all the island species. There are numerous graphs and distribution maps, and the whole work is heavily illustrated by full-colour photograps taken by the authors. Absolutely essential for every house in the island, and for every regular visiting ornithologist. How on earth is this on sale for just £20.00?

  A really beautiful book, quite outstanding. From the blurb: "In painting and words, this book portays a year in the life of Oronsay... Jane Smith describes her encounters with birds and animals, both wild and domesticated, and the human inhabitants of the island who look after them... Her vibrant artwork unforgettably evokes the beauty and variety of nature in this part of the world." Purchasers of the book might like to know that some of Jane's artwork can be purchased at the Old Waiting Room Gallery, beside the pier. This is the 2025 pb. edition. 160pp. £17.99

 Di Alexander was the Colonsay Potter through the 1970s, before mains electricity or water, before the current wave of social housing, and whilst there were only three ferries a week. Di became immersed in the social and cultural life of the island; he learned Gaelic, the language of the hearth, and he spent many congenial hours in the company of wonderful people. His book captures the warmth, humour, love and kindness of those days. 210pp. £9.99

  This book consists of a series of essays by the late Barbara Satchel, collected and edited by her daughter Morag Law. It is of great value in providing vignettes of life in Colonsay as seen by a native and gifted observer, and that value is enhanced by the fact that Barbara was writing in the Gaelic that is (or was) specific to Colonsay. Sadly, few native speakers preserve that language now, so Morag has created a bilingual text which can be enjoyed by one and all. This book is of very special value to all those persons who can claim an ancestral connection with the island, to anyone with an interest in Colonsay Gaelic, and to those who are interested in Colonsay after WWII. Now out-of-print but can be accessed in the copyright libraries. A dozen copies of the brilliant work are available to Gaelic learners in Colonsay, in conjunction with an audio file of the entire Gaelic text made by Morag Law herself and gifted to Colonsay & Oronsay Heritage Trust. Copies of the audio file can be supplied on request to learners of Colonsay Gaelic who are off-island.

  The author, John McPhee, is a Pulitzer prize-winning author of international reknown who, in 1969, brought his family to live for a time in Colonsay, the ancestral isle. He rented a cottage from Donald and Maggie "Gibbie" MacNeill and, being a staff writer on "The New Yorker" at the time, he published his work in a series of articles. "A work of literary genius... not a traveller's tale, nor is it a study of the history or topography of an island; it is instead a perfect mirror of the interactions and relationships of a living and coherent community." Hard to think that that was half-a-century ago, well before mains electricity or water, or the linkspan, the air-service, mobile phones or "social media". We are crrently stocking the edition published by Daunt Books. £9.99

  Just 44 pp long, but very powerful. In "Colonsay - elements of an island" Brian Hindmarch set himself a challenge; this is no collection of postcard views or chocolate-box images. Instead: "The weathering of rocks, tidal change, beaches, waves, islets, bird migration, lochs, streams, woods, glens and gardens, reveal the "essence" and aesthetic nature of Colonsay". Now out-of-print but can be accessed in the copyright libraries.

 As a young postgraduate working in Colonsay, Alex Maltman kindly produced these notes to the Geology of Colonsay in a form that would be of value to the casual reader, and they have stood the test of time. He is now Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Wales and widely published, but his orginal notes remain very useful and are highly recommended. By his original wish more than thirty years ago, any proceeds are put towards the Church Fabric Fund. £3.00

BTW: There is a brilliant new book devoted to the geology of Colonsay, published in 2025 and with excellent, well-illustrated suggested walks. This work is by David Webster, an eminent geologist who is resident in Islay. We will add a picture here shortly, it is only £9.99 and you really do need to have a copy.

  The Parish Church is used by the entire community and is significant to the countless descendants of Colonsay emigrants; hundreds of people visit it each year and this little leaflet was produced to provide a little background information. Hopefully, it will in due course be supplemented by a more comprehensive history. Copies of the leaflet are also available in the church itself, with proceeds going to the Fabric Fund. Suggested minimum donation £1.00

BTW, Church services are at 10.30 each Sunday, are highly ecumenical, all are welcome and you can join by Zoom worldwide - there are regular attendees from as far away as HK and Singapore. We can let you know how to obtain the Zoom link.

 A neat little brochure, 8 x A5 folded, heavily illustrated and with a useful map, which describes seven readily-accessible archaeological sites in Colonsay. It was produced by Colonsay Community Development Company in 2007, with support by various agencies. Copies are available in various locations, suggested price £1.00

N.B. I need to remember how to insert the correct cover illustrations below, thought I should at least enter the basic details of these interesting titles. I will modify the age as soon as possible - I apogise meantime, Kevin

  John Dewar's Islay, Jura and Colonsay, edited by Ronald Black and Christopher Dracup. This amazing work covers the history and traditions of these islands ca. 1500 - 1840 as recounted by islander informants in the 1860s and faithfully recorded, in the orginal Gaelic, by John Dewar. The manuscript was preserved by the Natonal Library of Scotland and this is the first volume (2024) in a series that will at last makethis remarkable resource available to the public. We are very fortunate that the first volume deals with the stirring events and background to our own islands. The work has been faithfully translated with Gaelic and English text on facing pages, and is accompanied by invaluable scholarly notes as to the individuals and events recorded by the tradtion bearers. A substantial work, illustrated, 557pp, 930gms. £27.50. A fraction of its price it will command when it will have fallen out of print.

  To declare an interest, Kevin and Christa run the bookshop and this book was written by Kevin. The Colonsay & Oronsay Pilgrim Trail by Kevin Byrne and Andrew McMorrine. This is a guide to the important Christian sites n Colonsay and Oronsay, laid out as a trail that can be followed in four managable sections. The Augustinian Priory of Oransay is covered in some detail and there are 30pp of invaluable appendices of particular interest to people interested in the Priors and mortuary chapel of Clan McPhee. All proceeds are gifted to Colonsay & Oronsay Heritage Trust. 104pp. Illustrated. £10.00, includes a handy map for use in the field (available on its own for £2.00). £17.50

  The Flowering Plants of Colonsay & Oransay

  A Brief Inrroduction

  The Book of Islay

  AGuide to the Geology

  We're Gioing To Build A Dam