Balnahard & Colonsay Wool Growers

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Balnahard & Colonsay Wool Growers

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Balnahard is located on the beautiful Hebridean Isle of Colonsay. Offering self catering holidays, b

29/10/2026

It's like a whole new world here today

The lights are on, the sun is shining and the wind has stopped rattling the roof!

Tasker I'll Ask Her and his young bullock friend are peering through the fence (must mend the gap in the rails) and Gracie puppy is lying by the back door admiring her territory

28/10/2026

Very quick update from Her Ladyship the Pipness

Power went off again yesterday lunchtime - engineers are hopefully on their way.

Weather much improved - but damp underfoot

Talk soon x

27/10/2026

News from Coastal Stations - very lucky to get our power back on yesterday afternoon, but it is pretty windy again today. The ferry yesterday didn't manage to dock but hopefully we'll get one tomorrow when things look calmer

Thank you for all you messages, looking at the pictures of flooding and damage in other places, we've definitely not been that badly effected. Hope everyone has power back soon and is otherwise OK

These photos of calves (not taken today) show the two heifers that we have kept to go into the herd. Both have good, dependable mothers and should grow into nice responsible adults 🤞

26/10/2026

Just a quick update to say we are all hanging on in there

It was pretty wild for quite a long time.

We don't have electricity at the moment. Not sure if the problem is on Colonsay or further afield.

It is due to come back on later today, which might mean they are trying to send engineers on the boat but will the boat manage to get in?

Very limited Internet.

Hope everyone else is OK too xx

24/10/2026

The nine bullock calves went off on the ferry yesterday, to go to the UA sale in Stirling on Monday.

They had to go 24 hours earlier than planned due to the weather.

Getting the calves off this year has been particularly difficult and at times upsetting, but it is what it is.

Farming logistics, like everything else, are so much more complicated on a small island.

23/10/2026

I've been down in Seapink this morning Seapink Gallery, Colonsay

It's been a pretty wet day with sunny bits in between

The strong winds aren't forecast here till late morning tomorrow, so we've charged up the torches, filled the log baskets and are now waiting to see how bad it will be

Some views from my way home this afternoon - a fairly calm Kiloran Bay, wild goats and some damp sheep

Stay safe everyone

22/10/2026

Getting a bit more drying done before the big blow comes.

Last pic is a screenshot of our forecast - looks quite breezy after tomorrow 😳

19/10/2026

The David has taken the heifer calves down to the pier for the ferry.

I have opted not to go, he doesn't need me there and I feel I've done the fond farewell before the boat once and I'm not in the mood to do it again

Instead I have some woolly stuff drying outside - a few hanks of wool dyed with Common Reed for hat kits, a knitted up ready to wear Colonsay Square Hat and a pair of Wrist Warmers, both for stock

19/10/2026

Don't know what Sebastian is rattling on about to the other fellow, but I don't think it's very interesting 🥱

It also looks like someone has had a saddle on Sebastian or been using him as a coffee table?

Just to explain Sebastian and Ash's slightly wild unkempt look - they like to live out all year round (with a field shelter) so we only fully clip them every other year as they have fine beautiful fleeces.

This is the year they haven't been clipped but they will be coming in this week for a tidy up in order to be ready to visit the ladies soon!

Note Tasker I'll Ask Her posing in the meadow behind, through Gracie's ears, in the last pic 😍

18/10/2026

Thank you to the people who have been asking about the heifer calves. Here is a video of the 7 heifers only

We have decided to put them to the UA sale in Oban on TUESDAY (20th Oct), that way it's easier for people to have a look at them before they buy.

Just to recap, they had to be weaned 10 days ago when our ferry didn't get it to take them to Dalmally sale, and are now eating well and ready to start growing on! They are certified BVD free and we are a QMS farm.

Mothers are all good hardy hill cows. Father is a pedigree shorthorn bull as seen in the last pic, excellent temperament and lives out all year too

Please get in touch if you want to know anything else. They will leave here on Monday night, forecast looks good!

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Address

Isle Of Colonsay
Scalasaig
PA617YT

Telephone

+447850230000

Website

https://www.balnahard.com/colonsay-wool-growers

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