Coll is a small island, 13 miles by 3, population 160, with Arinagour (‘the sheiling of the goats’) centrally located with all the village amenities. West and east lie the many sandy beaches, backed by the flower-rich machairs. Machair means ‘fertile plain’ in Gaelic and is a rare habitat where wind-blown alkaline shell-sand mixes with acidic peat to form a fertile plain that is exceptionally rich in wildflowers, including many species of orchid.

For those who don’t play or sing, there’s plenty to do while the daytime workshops are happening.

Feall beach on the Isle of Coll, Scotland. Machair covered dunes in the foreground, with a long curved sandy beach and turquoise seas

Beaches

There are sandy beaches all around Coll’s coastline, many of which are hidden from the road. Beaches are generally very quiet, especially early in the year.

Fishing

There are plenty of opportunities for pollack (lythe) and mackerel fishing around Coll’s shores.

Walking and cycling

Cycling and walking are a joy on Coll, with ever-changing views over the sparkling sea to distant islands. The interior of the island is heather moorland dotted with lochs, while the coastal fringes feature long white empty beaches, with sand dunes and verdant fields behind. 

Exploring the island

There are few paths, so bring good walking boots if you plan to stray far from the roads. Bikes can be hired from the Post Office, and electric bikes are available from An Cridhe, both in Arinagour. Contact Kip Poulson to ask about a driving tour of the island.

Night sky

Coll is a Dark Sky island with minimal light pollution and fantastic opportunities to star gaze on clear nights. Even in Arinagour the Milky Way and night stars are easily visible after dark. If you’re in the village you can take a short walk up the track to the church to get a better view of the night skies.

Birds and wildlife

Birds and wildlife are everywhere, with more than half the island under conservation protection. The RSPB have a nature reserve, with information centre, at the west end. From the tiny Hebridean wren to the majestic White-tailed eagle, from Arctic wild swans and geese in winter to African summer visitors like corncrakes and cuckoos, the diversity on Coll is astonishing.

Marine Protected Areas surround us on Coll, and from otters and seals to basking sharks, whales and dolphins, sightings are regular. For an idea of the range of wildlife on the island in April, visit the Wildsmiths blog.

Primrose flowers growing tightly clustered together

Wild flowers

Coll is known for its vibrant machair grassland and the whole island is bursting with wild flowers, even at this time of year. 

Art gallery

Kip Poulson’s Lighthouse Gallery in Arinagour is open daily.

Coll’s history

The history of Coll and its people is long, fascinating, and easy to see. From the Mesolithic flints occasionally stumbled across in dune blow-outs, to the standing stones and crannogs, the castles and lazy beds, the Viking place-names and folk-lore, our island has been the centre of our world for millennia. The Coll History Society sometimes have displays available in An Cridhe

Wildsmiths walks

There are two Wildsmiths walks organised over the festival period which coincide with breaks between our music workshops. 

The Island Café and Coll Hotel

If you’d like a slower pace, the Island Café and The Coll Hotel are both open for coffees, lunches and evening meals. Both have space to sit outside. The Coll Hotel also has a public bar with a pool table, dart board and TV

Saturday market

The market runs from 9am to midday on Saturdays through the summer season, and showcases varied items from local makers. 

Shops

The Coll Stores in Arinagour stocks a good selection of foods. There is also a Post Office/gift shop and second hand shop in the village. Many of the items for sale on the weekly market are also available from An Cridhe. Ross of Coll items are available direct from them 10-12 on weekday mornings, and Monadh Machair produce is also available direct from the sellers.

Internet access

An Cridhe, Coll’s community centre has access to free wifi every day, up until it shuts around 9pm. There is also wifi available at the hotel and cafe