Life’s A Beach
With perfect golden sands and sparkling seas, Coll and Tiree are stunning must-see islands
THE Inner Hebrides are a large group of islands off Scotland’s west coast, of which 35 are inhabited – each island has a speciality, and Coll and Tiree are certainly two of the most scenic.
Coll can be found west of the larger island of Mull, while Tiree – the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides – is southwest of Coll.
The two islands are well-known for a more exotic climate than many other Scottish locations – with Tiree even being known as the “Hawaii of the North”.
Sandy beaches line both islands, making them the perfect place to relax. In fact, there are 20 large bays on Coll, plus a handful of smaller ones. You’re not going to be short of choice if you fancy a day by the shore.
And the sheer variety of Coll’s beaches is something special. Breachacha beach is flanked by two small castles, while Cornaig can be found after braving some rugged sand dunes. The beautiful North Shore, which has views to Mull, Eigg, Ardnamurchan and Muck, wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.
Tiree, meanwhile, also has its fair share of golden sandy beaches, which perfectly complement the warm summer sunshine the island is famed for.
Crossapol is one of Tiree’s largest beaches, with shallow water perfect for dipping your toes in and a mile of beautiful sands. Balevullin Beach, on the north-west coast, is truly beautiful and great place for dolphin spotting during the summer.
However, if forced to choose, it’s Balephuil Bay that stands out – it plays host to the legendary Tiree Wave Classic, the UK’S top windsurfing competition. The event, which is the world’s longest running professional windsurfing competition, first took place in 1986 and sees professional and amateur windsurfers, surfers and paddle borders flock to the island to take part. The six-day extravaganza attracts many supporters who pack the coast to cheer on the participants, making for a terrific atmosphere on the island. This year’s event is taking place from October 9 to 15. Both islands are perfect for stargazing – two of the best places in Scotland to lose yourself in the night sky. Neither Coll nor Tiree have street lights or light pollution, and with the islands having a population of less than 850 people combined, stargazing conditions couldn’t be better.
There are Dark Sky Discovery Sites designated at Arinagour, Arnabost and RSPB Totronald on Coll and in Balevullin on Tiree.
These locations offer fantastic views of the night sky, with the crystal clear sight of the Milky Way something magical to behold.
With perfect conditions on a fortuitous evening, you might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking Aurora Borealis – a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many.
Getting to these stunning islands is relatively easy – the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry connects the two, making island-hopping a breeze. From the mainland, the ferry leaves from Oban, and takes two hours and 30 minutes to Coll and four hours to Tiree.
You’re even able to fly to Coll and Tiree from each other and the mainland, from both Oban and Glasgow.
After a day’s fun, there are plenty of places to eat and rest your head for the night. Both islands have a wide variety of camping spots to let you truly feel at one with nature, but if you’d rather a more comfy bed, then you have plenty of choice, too.
Alongside some excellent bed and breakfasts and self-catering accommodation, The Lodge Hotel and the Tiree Scarinish Hotel are great places to stay – with restaurants alongside.
On Coll, the Coll Hotel is a popular spot, with the restaurant offering some of the best Scottish fare – including famous Hebridean seafood.
Whether you’re visiting for the beaches, the night sky, the Tiree Wave Classic or something else entirely, these beautiful islands serve as the perfect introduction to the Inner Hebrides, a real Scottish paradise.
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Beautiful North Shore wouldn’t look Caribbean” out of place in the