Campsites in Isle of Coll
The beaches and wide open spaces of Coll are the perfect settings for adventure.
- Isle of Coll
Popular camping styles for Isle of Coll
Campsites in Isle of Coll guide
Overview
Adrift in the North Atlantic, the small Hebridean island of Coll offers an off-the-beaten path experience like no other. West of the tourist-heavy island of Mull, the island sees only a fraction of its visitors, promising the perfect place to get away from it all. The island has more than 20 beaches where you can take a stroll, surf, kayak or windsurf. Coll is also home to a wealth of birdlife, including corncrakes and hen harriers. It’s also an official Dark Sky Island and the stargazing is spectacular. Summer is the ideal time to visit for sunny weather, though surfers may want to plan a winter trip.
Where to go
Arinagour
Ferries from the island of Tiree and Oban on the mainland arrive in Arinagour, a pretty village of white-washed cottages. This is a great base from which to explore the rest of the island and is where you’ll find all of the amenities, including small, basic shops and a petrol station.
Arliod
Much of southwestern Coll is an RSPB Nature Reserve where you can see such birds as lapwings and redshanks by following the eight-mile (13-kilometre) circular walk leading from Arileod around the reserve. It’s one of the best places in Scotland to spot the elusive corncrake. Southwestern Coll is also home to the island’s only organised campsite, set on a working farm.
Crossapoll Bay
At the island’s southern end, Crossapoll Bay is an exposed beach break that creates ideal surfing conditions—with warm water, thanks to the North Atlantic Gulf Stream. Even when the waves are big, it’s never crowded.
Ben Hogh
On the western side of Coll, a climb to the summit of 348-foot (106-metre) Ben Hogh is relatively easy and promises excellent views of the surrounding islands of Mull, Tiree and Barra. On a clear day you can even see as far south as Jura and north to South Uist.
