Colonsay House

Colonsay House is a country house on the island of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides featuring Georgian architecture with additions from the early 20th century. The main building overlooks 30 acres of gardens filled with rhododendrons, trees, and shrubs of different species.

The McNeill family built the central section in 1722, creating the earliest Classical house in the Argyll region. Subsequent owners added extensions that shaped the building's appearance through the following centuries.

The gardens display plants gathered from around the world and hold an ancient stone cross that visitors can find among the grounds. This collection shows how the island connected to places far away.

The gardens are open to visitors on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from April through October without needing permission. Access to the house and other parts of the property requires special arrangement beforehand.

One garden area holds a Fresnel lens that was moved from a lighthouse on the nearby island of Islay, reminding visitors of the sea's role in the region. The mild ocean climate allows eucalyptus and magnolia trees to thrive here despite the northern location.