Page "Oronsay, Inner Hebrides" Paragraph 1

From one of the small beaches on the east coast of Oronsay, looking towards the Paps of Jura, Scotland | Jura in the distance.

It rises to a height of 93m ( 305 feet ) at Beinn Orasaigh ( Beinn Oronsay ) and is linked to Colonsay by a tidal causeway ( called An Traigh (' The Strand ')) consisting of sands and mud flats.

In the 2001 census Oronsay was recorded as having a population of five people, who live at the farm adjacent to Oronsay Priory.

The island has no facilities of its own, and is entirely dependent upon its tidal access to and from Colonsay.

The rocks and skerries of Eilean nan Ròn ( Seal Island ), to the south-west, are an important Grey Seal breeding colony.

In order to conserve the population of resident Choughs and breeding Corncrakes Oronsay and southern Colonsay became a Special Protection Area in December 2007.