Coll

Routes

Oban - Coll
Tiree - Coll

Crofting, lobster fishing and lobster farming form the basis of the thriving island community that is Coll. Loved by birdwatchers, nature lovers, archaeologists and those in search of peace and tranquility, this is the perfect place to get away from everything.

The low, lying island of Coll is characterised by its landscape of sandy beaches, freshwater loches, Lewisian bed-rock and machair and the island’s only village is the quiet, fishing village of Arinagour . It’s the perfect place for those wishing to escape modern life and do nothing more strenuous than walk the island’s beaches or discover the local flora and fauna. In summer particularly, the sound of skylarks, the fragrance of the flowers and the views of distant shimmering islands make this a very special place.

From May to August, Coll’s RSPB reserve play a crucial role in the protection of the corncrake, a bird that is globally endangered but one of the rarest and fastest declining in the UK due to intensive agricultural methods. On this reserve, and throughout the islands, the RSPB encourage corncrake-friendly farming methods. However, the corncrake is just one of many species found on the island – the opportunity to see redshanks, lapwing, snipe and in winter, barnacle and Greenland white-fronted geese make this an ornithologist’s paradise.

And its not just a place for nature lovers, those interested in the islands heritage will be fascinated by Coll’s iron-age forts, crannogs and “Na Sgeulachan” (Teller of Tales) standing stones.