Close to the isles of Mull and Tiree, among the Inner Hebrides, lies the isle of Coll, where much of the clan Maclean of Duart’s riotous five century record can be found, and the lands tell a tale of violence, cruelty and fight for domination, which is so characteristic for human communities altogether. Needless to say, it is abundant in historically valuable buildings, such as Breachacha Castle, the setting of many turbulent events, keeping the remembrance of their fierce nature in its every corner.
Aside from that, it is an island of utmost natural beauty, a fair share of unspoilt wilderness and a very diverse flora and fauna. In terms of man’s impact on its conformation, a few artificial islands can be seen in its lochs, small mounds of land referred to as crannogs. Some people might moan about the lack of facilities usually available to tourists in the western world but others infer it speaks for the authenticity of this island as a place that doesn’t need transforming into a sellable destination, with the afferent commercial appeal given to it, as its sceneries and vestiges are enough to bring floods of people there every year.
It is a quite enough setting for meditation to be possible and sightseeing by taking long walks to be a very uplifting pastime, far from any notion of boredom. Like Tiree, it gets plenty sunlight and its climate is milder than on mainland Scotland, scarcely getting any frost or snow in the winter, which makes its outdoor experience furthermore pleasant.
Places to stay: