Colonsay Island Life: Ex-Munich Cop Becomes Oyster Farmer

About 120 people reside on Colonsay, a small, rugged, windy, and cold island in the Atlantic. Lars, a former Munich policeman, has moved there with his second wife, Sandy, a Scottish lawyer, and their four-month-old son, Finn, to become an oyster farmer. This move represents a significant life change for Lars, who seeks to slow down and work with nature after spending too long in big cities.

A New Beginning on Colonsay

Lars's decision to move to Colonsay was driven by a desire for a fresh start. He hopes the island will provide the time and space to begin anew and live up to his father-in-law's expectations. He aims to learn from any mistakes he makes, ensuring they are only made once.

The couple met at a swimming competition four years ago and have been living in Munich. Lars has two older children from his first marriage, whom he rarely sees since a painful separation in 2017-2018. He admits he will miss them.

The Journey to the Island

The family's journey from Munich involved an overnight stay at Lars's mother's house in Nattheim, a small southern German town where Lars had a traditional childhood. His parents ran a butcher shop, and Lars himself was a butcher before joining the marines, becoming a cook, then an officer, and later a policeman. Now, he is embracing the role of an oyster farmer, a job he intends to be his last. His older sister, however, is skeptical, noting that people often question what else he does besides oyster farming.

A week after leaving Munich, Lars, Sandy, and Finn reached the ferry terminal at Oban. The two-and-a-half-hour sea crossing on the CalMac ferry to Colonsay was met with surprisingly perfect weather.

Island Life and Challenges

Upon arrival, the family found their new home to be damp, cold, and infested with rats. Sandy, who grew up on the island, warns that island living is vastly different from holidaying there. She anticipates difficulties, especially during the long winter months from October to March, when the weather is harsh.

Life on Colonsay requires self-sufficiency. With limited access to contractors, residents must learn to do most things themselves, from home repairs to gardening.

Family and Expectations

Lars and Sandy married on Colonsay. Lars is determined to fulfill his father-in-law's expectations, especially after regretting not asking his own father more questions before his death in 2018. He advised Sandy that they should not make the same mistake with her parents, leading to their move to the island.

A common piece of advice they've received is to "slow down," as things don't happen overnight on the island. Both Lars and Sandy are learning this lesson.

Oyster Farming with Andrew

Lars works with Sandy's father, Andrew, who has been running the oyster farm for 44 years. The work is physically demanding, involving a lot of bending and backaches. Lars, at 49, is amazed by Andrew's efficiency, noting that his 76-year-old father-in-law can complete two tasks in the time it takes Lars to do one.

Andrew is gradually passing on his knowledge, though Sandy believes he may never fully relinquish control. She emphasizes that both Lars and Andrew need to be patient with each other. Lars, full of enthusiasm, just needs to learn patience.

Logistics and Community

The island has only one small, often unreliable, and expensive shop. Residents typically order groceries from Tesco on the mainland, which are delivered by refrigerated vans. However, ferry cancellations or missed orders can lead to shortages of essential items like milk and bread, necessitating a well-stocked cupboard and freezer.

Social life on Colonsay is centered around a small café, a restaurant, a village hall, and a church. Lars finds solace in the church, which helps him slow down and relax. Sandy recalls a more vibrant community during her childhood in the 80s, with more people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Parental Leave and Future Concerns

Sandy is on six months of parental leave, allowing the family to settle into their new life. They find joy in seeing Finn healthy and happy in their island home. There is one other new mother on the island with a baby three months younger than Finn, offering a potential playmate for him.

Lars is also on parental leave and is expected to take over the oyster farm once he gains enough experience. Andrew has been seeking a successor for a long time. Lars appreciates the opportunity to swim in the sea after work, despite his past fear of the open water.

A significant concern for Sandy is Finn's future, especially as the only other family with a baby his age is moving away next year, potentially leaving Finn isolated.

Winter Challenges and Personal Growth

Winter on Colonsay brings darkness by 3:00 p.m. and strong winds. Lars is learning to secure everything to prevent damage from the elements. Sandy is back to working from home for a London law firm, while Lars cares for Finn.

Lars is optimistic about Finn's health but acknowledges the lack of immediate medical care on the island. A helicopter ride to a hospital would take 30 to 40 minutes, a major concern for Sandy.

Lars often thinks about his two older children in Germany, acknowledging the pain of their separation. He hopes they will eventually have a relationship with Finn, despite the age difference.

The Jura to Colonsay Swim

Lars is planning a challenging swim from the neighboring island of Jura to Colonsay, likely in August. Finn will be in a boat with an accompanying adult. This risky endeavor requires extensive training, which Lars is fitting into his schedule alongside caring for Finn and helping Sandy. He anticipates the swim will take about eight hours.

His passion for ice swimming, discovered during a tough period in 2017-2018, helps him train for the cold water. He and Sandy have even installed a sauna for winter training. However, the swim would only be possible in perfect, calm conditions, as the waves can be too dangerous.

After six months on Colonsay, Lars feels a significant distance from his former city life. He believes moving to the island was the right decision, affirming that it's always possible to start over.