Coll
Here is the visitor guide on Coll in Inner Hebrides, Scotland, with information on and around the place for an ideal visit. The guide here gives you information on how to get to Coll by ways and means, getting around Coll, sleeping and eating and, hotels & accommodation in Coll.
The low-lying, treeless and windswept island of Coll offers the simple pleasures in life, and is so peaceful and quiet that it makes some of the more popular islands appear crowded by comparison. There's little to do here other than stroll along the magnificent, deserted beaches and enjoy the relatively long hours of sunshine. Tourism, though, remains low on the list of priorities, and those who do come prefer it that way. Even by Hebridean standards there are few facilities, and accommodation is scarce.
Phone code: +44 (0)1879 Population: 170
Region
Inner HebridesTravel Directions to Coll
Getting to Coll
There's a ferry from Oban to Coll (2 hrs 40 mins) and Tiree (55 mins) once daily on Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat. One way ticket to Coll or Tiree costs £11.40 per passenger and £65 per car. From Coll to Tiree costs £2.90 and £16.65.
Getting around Coll
The CalMac ferry from Oban calls in at Coll's only village, Arinagour, where half of the island's population live and where you'll find the post office (and bike hire opposite), petrol station, general store and cosy Island cafe. There's no public transport but a taxi is available. The island is only 13 miles long and 4 miles wide and the best way to get around is on foot or by bike.
Local Sights & Activities for Coll
The best of Coll's 23 beaches are on the west coast, at Killunaig, Hogh Bay and Feall Bay. The latter is separated from the nearby Crossapool Bay by giant sand dunes up to 100 ft high. These are now owned by the RSPB to protect the resident corncrake population. Nearby, at the head of Loch Breachacha, is the restored medieval Breachacha Castle, built by the Macleans of Coll and once owned by them but now used as an adventure-training school for young overseas aid volunteers. The castle is sometimes open to the public; check with the tourist office in Oban for details. The dilapidated 18th-century mansion nearby is where Boswell and Dr Johnson stayed when they were stranded here for 10 days during their grand Highland tour in 1773.
It's worth taking a walk up Ben Hogh (341 ft), the island's highest point, overlooking Hogh Bay on the west coast, to get a terrific view of the island. The east coast, north from Arinagour to Sorisdale, is an uninhabited wilderness which is ideal for some gentle hillwalking. Other than beaches there are excellent scope available for fishing and nine-hole golf course at Claid 2 miles west of Arinagour.
Coll Hotels & Accommodation
In Arinagour is the Coll Hotel, Tel. 230334, Fax. 230317. A family hotel with a good restaurant, and is the social hub of the island. Also in the village is Taigh Solas, Tel./Fax. 230333. A few miles to the west is E Achamore, Tel. 230430. A lovely old farmhouse. Down in the southwest, at Breachacha Bay, is Garden House, Tel./Fax. 230374. Nearby, in the walled garden of the castle, is the island's campsite (open Apr-Oct; phone as for Garden House). The only alternative to hotel or guesthouse food is the trendy bistro in Arinagour.