The Estate
Colonsay Estate has been in the ownership of the Strathcona family for over 100 years. The current owner is Alex Strathcona, 5th Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, who lives on Colonsay with his wife, Jane, and family. The Estate is very much a family run business, with a number of family members involved in its day to day management.
Colonsay House dates from 1722 with further additions made in the 1780's and around the turn of last century. It was originally built on the site of Kiloran Abbey by the MacNeills who were the successive lairds of Colonsay until 1905.
The first Lord Strathcona, having made his fortune in Canada building the Canadian Pacific Railway (amongst other things), returned to Scotland and bought Colonsay Estate in 1905 from Sir John MacNeill.
The woodland gardens have been established over a similar period with extensive landscaping and new planting carried out by the third Lord Strathcona in the 1930's. They are considered to have one of the finest collections of rhododendrons in Scotland.
The estate land is farmed and managed with the principle aim of preserving the environment rather than for production. We work closely with environmental bodies such as Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB and the Forestry Commission to preserve natural habitats for birds, mammals and wildflowers.
Our businesses are run in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way wherever possible. We are committed to the principles of Ecotourism and are proud of our green credentials.
Farming & Conservation
The estate land is farmed and managed with the principle aim of preserving the environment rather than for production. We work closely with environmental bodies such as Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB and the Forestry Commission to preserve natural habitats for birds, mammals and wildflowers.
We have several designated areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We graze black face sheep and a suckler herd of cattle. We have one herd of Highland cattle down at Garvard.
Our farming methods are generally organic and we employ corncrake and chough friendly farming procedures in conjunction with the RSPB.
Future Projects
There are a number of important projects that we are working on that we hope will have a significant impact on the sustainability of the island. Some of the key projects are outlined briefly below.
Wind Turbine
We have built a medium size 100kW wind turbine which will supply up to 7 households and a number of holiday cottages with electricity.
Electric vehicles
We are committed to moving towards electric vehicles in our business. We have bought 4 electric cars and vans so far and have installed a number of electric charging points on the island. There is also a fast charging point at the pier.
Affordable housing
We are working with the community on the development of a complex of affordable housing to enable key workers to move to the island and to provide suitable sheltered housing for elderly residents.
Further eradication of Rhododendron ponticum
We have an ongoing commitment to continue this vital environmental project ot rid the island of the invasive R. ponticum.
Moorland and coastal management
We have an on going programme to manage these important habitats.
We are a member of the Green Tourism Scheme and are committed to the principles of sustainable tourism. We recycle wherever possible and try to use eco friendly and energy saving methods wherever we can.