Arinagour

The visitor moorings are too far out, and anyway are no longer free, so it is best to anchor near what is called the middle pier. Over the years, the three piers were built increasingly far away from the village with increasing utility but with decreasing charm; the old pier in the 19th century, then the 1960s middle pier, and finally the 1987 new pier (as celebrated in the Katie Morag stories written and illustrated by local resident Mairi Hederwick, and much loved by Scottish children who no doubt will all look out for Grannie Island driving her tractor or Grannie Mainland arriving on the CalMac ferry). In fact the village was founded in the early 19th century by Alexander Maclean of Coll, so explaining the row of very similar – and charming to modern eyes - cottages along the main street. Mind you, in recent years quite a few new houses have been built to accommodate a population which is now increasing.

The attractions here are the shop for modest supplies and the child and yacht friendly Isle of Coll Hotel with its webcam for a shower, laundry, bar and very good food (try the ice cream sundaes) (ph 01879 230334) ; the café in the main street; the small play park; and the Parish Church on the hill which although a not very inspiring early 20th Century Gothic has a fabulous wooden roof described in Pevsner, “This triumph of joinery is a wholly unexpected delight” (sadly it is a bit spoiled by the electric lights strung from it – please Minister get rid of them!).