Isle of Coll - fantastic wildlife

[islandgirl2311]

Hi,

This is my first post and I would like to introduce myself. I live on the wonderful, Hebridean Island of Coll. Although only 13 miles long, it has fantastic wildlife and a superb RSPB reserve. The Corncrake is now calling and can be seen in many gardens.

Out at sea between Tiree and Mull, Orcas (killer whales ) can sometimes be seen and in summer the huge basking sharks visit us, usually about 30 to 40 of them. There are dolphins and otters. It is a paradise for nature lovers and Birdwatchers. Over at Caolas, far end of the island, corncrakes, otters and basking sharks can be seen from the shore line.

And after a weary day, the farm at Caolas will serve you a delightful cream tea and put you up in the Bothy is you need to rest your head. Coll is that type of island, Friendly and hospitable.

If anyone wants to know more about the Isle of Coll and the best places to see wildlife, please email me at islandgirl2311@aol.com

You are most welcome.

[Alan]

Hello islandgirl, and welcome to WAB

By your description, it sounds like you live in a lovely part of the country with great wildlife - I'm green with envy

Hope to hear more from you

[John D]

Welcome Islandgirl to WAB. I hope you enjoy WAB and that you have a nice summer with the wildlife on Coll.

[islandgirl2311]

Hi John D,

Thank you for your kind message. It will be a lovely summer on Coll!!

[Ollie]

A warm welcome to WAB from me Islandgirl, it sure sounds a great place to live.
Ollie

[rlchew]

Hello Islandgirl

A very warm welcome to WAB.

I have been visiting the Scottish Highlands and Islands every year since the late 1980s but must confess to never going across to Coll. It certainly sounds like you live in an idyllic location. I must visit one day .... I can hear those Corncrakes calling already!

Please do post some photos of Coll for us to enjoy.

Richard

[Mark43]

Hello Islandergirl and welcome to WAB.

It all sounds lovely so i think you should invite me up for a week just to check

[Jonny]

Hello Islandgirl and welcome here. Do you work for the travel industry ?..............Jon

[Wolfhill]

Hi Islandgirl, I have visited the isle of coll a couple of times and must confess I loved every minute of being there. The last time I visited was 2 years ago when we saw Corncrake at the RSPB reserve, it flew right past the building. We also saw Minkie Whale on the ferry out from Oban, and we were greeted into the harbour by 4 basking sharks. When we went, we stayed in one of the caravans at Gallanach. One night down at the beach we watched an Otter running across the sand and into the sea. We then witnessed what I think must have been a Humpback whale, as just as the sunset about a mile off the coast a huge whale threw itself out of the water and landed back in with an almighty splash!! On one of the last days there we walked round the bottom half of the island and managed to photograph a pair of Sanderling about 6 feet away!! It was amazing, I hope we will visit the island again soon mabye not this School holidays but mabye next summer!! I would love to photograph one of those Corncrakes, we also saw a Golden Eagle sitting on the roof of an old abandoned stone house about 30 metres off the road. It was a great holiday!! Heres a link to one of my Sanderling pics taken at the bottom of the island:http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...mage-4894.html
Fergus

[gaitano]

Hello everyone,this is my first post on this site.
Its good to see so many wildlife lovers in one place.
Islandgirl we are thinking of coming over to coll & tiree in may, what is the wildlife like there at that time of year.
we have a motorhome,are there any campsites.
we normally travell the west coast of scotland and end up on arran but fancied trying somewhere new.