There is evidence of human activity on Colonsay going back to 7,000 B.C. and all over the island you can find evidence of Colonsays’ long history. Ranging from the Iron Age forts and duns which still dominate the Colonsay skyline, to the abandoned village of Riasg Buidhe, which was inhabited up to 1918. Today, the isle is inhabited by nearly 125 residents and a team from George Leslie.
In September of 2023, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) commissioned George Leslie to undertake infrastructure upgrade works at three ferry terminals on the Islay route prior to the introduction of new vessels. The three terminals on this route, are Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay.
The new vessels will have a larger beam, length, draught, and displacement than the current vessels that serve the route, as well as having a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. Enabling works were therefore required for the vessels to safely and reliably berth, moor, load / unload at all three ports, together with shore power for the vessels at Kennacraig and Port Askaig
With our work at Colonsay, the scope of work required was:
- Upgrade of existing fenders
- Dredging
- Pile toe reinforcement
- Bollard replacement
The pile toe reinforcement work involved much sub-sea strengthening to the existing structure, so divers were necessary for the job. These works included:
- Drilling into rock to install steel tubular king posts which were tied back to the existing timber fenders using large steel wailing beams
- Forming concrete collars around select existing piles underneath the pier
We also required a large floating barge and craneage for some heavy above-water works for removing the old rubber fenders on the pier roundhead and replacing with new as well as replacing two old bollards with new ones.
The Site team completed one last task before the Winter break and that was the dredging of the berth which was completed mid-December.
Now that the dredging is complete, we will be returning soon for final pile toe strengthening works and once that is completed, we can leave the new port in the hands of CMAL and let the residents of Colonsay enjoy the benefits of our work.
Looking back at the whole project, Site Agent Innes McAllister recalls the most memorable parts of the project:
It was getting the last fender installed, that was a big milestone. Very challenging works, especially as we were undertaking this in winter weather. There were many challenges but that was a ‘we can see the finish line now’ moment. As well as that, the team I’m working with over there are top tier. Lots of laughs.
One of the challenges faced in Colonsay is the remote location, it can be difficult to control and manage the many aspects of the project and plant when you have two to three ferries a week, therefore forward planning was critical to the project’s success from the start. It is the distance not only for logistical planning, but also for the team who must spend time away from their home and that was found to be the biggest challenge and the difficulties that go along with that.
Everyone on site has done a great job to get to where we are now, almost finished. The work was carried out to a high standard and performed safely; we didn’t have a single safety incident on site which is fantastic for a marine site running seven days a week. A challenging job yet rewarding.
What does this job mean to George Leslie? Another feather in the cap, I’m sure. The project of the three ferry terminals is up there with the biggest we’ve ever undertaken, certainly in terms of monetary value, but in engineering prowess also. We’re proud our part with the work we completed on Colonsay
George Leslie began the work in Colonsay on May 27th, 2024, and by Dec 13, 2024, we had completed all the main scoped works. This month we are returning to carry out some final toe strengthening works and aim to be completed by Spring 2025.
The low population and demographic mean that the key attributes of the healthy community in Colonsay are fragile. With the works that George Leslie have completed on behalf of CMAL, we hope this will go a little in the way of helping the community become stronger as they work towards increasing the population. With the added benefits of the larger ferry service will bring in terms of a sustainable, year-round facility and service for the island.



