An Early Autumn visit to Coll

For the past 14 years on and off I have made my way to the Isle of Coll to visit my Uncle Andy and Jean. They retired there and built a house back in 2006, having spent many holidays there in previous years. Jean also has ancestorial connections to the island. The also build an impressive garden from sand dunes, surrounded by a dry stone dyke my Uncle built. They were self sufficient in many fruits and veg, had hens and flowers. Sadly my Uncle died in November 2019 and I managed to make the day trip up for his funeral, then covid hit and I didn't get back for a couple of years. Since then I've made an annual pilgrimage to escape the world and visit Jean, this year accompanied by youngest side kick Dan. A great drive up and probably the wettest crossing to Coll I've ever had, fortunately not too rough.....so far. It was lovely to be driven up by Dan and enjoy the scenery.

Rain, sun and rainbows

On the beach opposite the house

Wednesday morning and a walk up the highest hill on Coll, Ben Hogh with Dan, great views in all directions out to the outer hebrideas, north to skye Ben Nevis and the Glen Coe mountains, Mull and the Treshnish islands and Tiree.

Dan suggested we climb the highest hill on Coll, all 300 feet of it i know, tiny

I know i am well out of hill fitness but that was hard, my knees still haven't forgiven me

On the was back down I was taking it carefully as I didn't want my knees getting worse or slipping. Dan said he didn't want to carry me back so I said he could just roll me down the hill....

He objected to that suggestion as i'd be too muddy to go in his clean car! But he might have a blanket he could wrap me in, not for my benefit just to be clear but to protect his clean car

There were plenty wild flowers

Wednesday afternoon, Torestan beach and a visit to the cemetery

Thursday and a relaxing morning then a walk in the village with lunch in the hotel. After lunch Dan and I headed to Cliad beach, another favourite where we usually always see seals, no seals so far this week anywhere. A lovely walk in fab weather before back to the house for a relaxing evening.

The village Arnigour and Cliad beach

Beach finds on Cliad

On Friday Dan and I headed to the south of the island and parked in the RSPB carpark (flat piece of sheep cropped grass) and headed down the sandy track towards the sea. Eventually the broad sweeping bay of Crossapol opened up and we walked along the 2km beach in a brisk breeze. Not only is this a stunnling huge beach but its also the only access the houses at the far end have to the rest of the island, driving back and forward along the beach to go anywhere.

Above the beach at the far end is Crossapol cemetery, a cluster of old stones clinging to the cliff top over looking the water and the Treshnish Islands beyond. From here we headed across the narrow piece of island, through the sand dunes heading to Feall beach on the other side. A couple of fences to navigate which is fine fo long legged Dan, but his old creaky mother struggled, bending aching knees and getting over the tall fences. Anyhoo we got there and enjoyed a walk along the beautiful pristine sands of Feall, with Ben Feall at the other end. We at last saw some seals, though they were unusually not curious and didn’t come to investigate us. We sat and enjoyed lunch on the rocks at the other end before heading back to the car across the dunes, a circular walk of 5 miles and fabulous views. There were still plenty of wildflowers in bloom across the machair, with bees enjoying the flowers and plenty birds over head.

Time for some painting

Beach finds

Sunset on Red Rocks beach

Coll

That long silvery slither of rock

In the early autumn sun

Next stop Newfoundland or Greenland

The steel grey waters chop and churn

White crests the waves against the tide line

Gulls wheel overhead, porpoises play in the ferry wash

Another rain shower drifts over,

Rainbows glint as the sun glitters over the water

I am back on that silvery slither of rock

Eilean Cholla

Coll

Rona Dodds September 2025

Our return journey was choppy, well it was for me! Once we were back in the Sound of Mull it was much calmer but still breezy. An easy drive back to Linlithgow where David picked me up. A great few days away with Dan, good to spend time together. 

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