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The island
of Coll Lies to the north of Tiree and west of Mull. This is a
beautiful Scottish island famed for its sandy beaches, birds,
and hospitality. It is about thirteen miles long from the north
to the south of the island, and three miles wide at its widest
point. As Coll is a fairly flat island it has become popular for
walkers and cyclists. Access to the Island is by Calmac ferry
from Oban.
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Arinagour
is the main population centre (total island population is around
160) and also where the Oban ferry arrives. The village has a
post office hotel, bar and restaurant, a general store and you
can hire bikes or get a taxi. As there is limited
accommodation on Coll the island is always tranquil. Wild
camping is allowed and this often suites people who cannot get
booked before they arrive. Although Coll has more than twenty
sandy beaches, none are near Arinagour and so even day trippers
should try and get to other parts of the Island |
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There are
many bird watchers who come to Coll as it has a wide variety of
birds to see at different times of the year. The Corncrake is
one of the star attractions and the RSPB have purchased a fairly
large part of the South West part of the island and turned it
into a bird reserve. There are no specific opening times as you
can visit at any time free of charge. However a donation is
always helpful so that the good work can continue. The crofts
now cut their hay later in the summer to allow the corncrakes to
finish their breeding and this appears to have led to an
increase in numbers and not just in the south of the Island.
Coll has a
number of Archaeological sites worth visiting if you are
interested in the ancient past. There is Breachacha Castle, a
medevil building with a square keep. This was the seat of the
Macleans in the 1400's and was restored in the mid sixties.
There are also standing stones at Totronald and Iron age forts
such as those at Dun an Achaidh and Feall Bay. At Killunaig
there are ruins of a medieval church and its cemetery.
Although there are limited organised things to do on Coll, it is
a great place to visit if you are prepared. Excellent surfing
and wind surfing also great sea kayaking and diving as well as
fishing. However none of these activities have support such as
boat hire or sport shops etc. Many people visit Coll quite
simply for the peace and quiet as well as taking walks over the
fields or beaches to appreciate nature at its very best.
To get to
Coll by public means, you must get the ferry from Oban. Visit
the Caledonian MacBraynes
web site for up to date information.
Isle of Coll,
Arinagour, Argyll, Scotland |
