Isle of Islay
Scotland

Image Story:


On many a pleasant evening, family and friends have enjoyed a wee dram of Ardbeg or Lagavulin, by the open fire in the lounge of Callumkill House.


It is a rather special experience! Whilst savouring the delights of this fine smokey malt whiskey, we can look out over the lawns and down across the fields, to Lagavulin, and beyond to the Island of Texa. And on a clear day on the horizon, we can see Antrim, the Northern coast of Ireland.

This is the view from the the highest point of the lawn in front of the main house - there is a man-made cave under part of this lawn, next to the remains of the old St Columba's Chapel.


Just to the left of Lagavulin Distillery, is the ruined Dunyvaig Castle, and to the right (to the South East) in the very next bay along but out of view here, is Laphroig Distillery.


Remains of The Plague Village as well as St Michael's Well are located on this property only a Km from the house to the N up the first hill.


On one of the ridges below the main feature leading up to Ben Sholum, the highest point with a 360 degree view, is the most significant and intact ancient chambered cairn - some 29m long and 10m wide.



Conservation:


Callumkill is lucky to have some rare ancient oak forest groves that are protected and monitored ('sites of special scientific interest). They cover some of the lower South facing slopes protected from harsh weather by the prominent ridges, as well as low ground, around the streams and burns.


Wild pheasant is common here and 'rough shotgun shooting' is strictly controlled by Donnie who manages the estate and lives with his family on Callumkill.


Care for the environment seems to be much more part of every ones life in these parts - probably because there is a limited population of just over 2000 and the fact that they are on an island that depends largely on the tourist industry.


Whatever it is, the fact that there is a pulpable caring for the place in the people that live here, is wonderful to see.


Geese, during their stop-overs on the island, are counted by volunteers, to assist the monitoring of migratory pathways and bird behaviour.


Plastic litter and other jetsam and flotsam are continually washed up on the shores but are cleared by local volunteers.


The Island boasts a unique, pure red deer population that is carefully managed so that the strongest survive and continue to breed a healthy herd.


This Deer Management Group places quotas on shooting deer on the estates each year. All the information is collated and discussed at annual meetings - there is a successful working system in place.