Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree |
Sandy bays lapped by turquoise water, white-washed cottages and picture-postcard villages: the Hebridean islands of Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree are strikingly beautiful. In the far north west of Argyll, they offer tranquillity, space and wildlife galore. Take your time, explore and let the romance of these magical islands seep into you.
Mull has it all: towering peaks, ancient castles, sparkling sands and a rich cultural life. It also has Tobermory, easily the most attractive fishing port on the west coast of Scotland, where gaily-painted houses cluster around a sheltered bay. Don’t miss Duart Castle, the 13-century fortress perched on a rocky outcrop or the white-tailed eagles at Loch Frisa. Another highlight is the Isle of Staffa that lies five miles southwest of Mull. Impossibly dramatic and romantic, this uninhabited island inspired Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.
Dreamy Iona sits less than a mile off the south western-most tip of Mull. This tiny island, a cradle of Christianity in Great Britain, is a place of pilgrimage for many. The ruins of the medieval abbey, established by St Columba when he arrived here from Ireland in his coracle in 563, and the medieval nunnery are utterly absorbing. You can explore the rest of the island on foot, including the stunning sandy bays at its northern tip.
Low-lying, treeless and windswept, the remote islands of Coll and Tiree give a real taste of Hebridean life. Wild-life lovers will have a field day on both – look out for otters, minke whales, basking sharks, puffins and a host of other seabirds. Known as the ‘sunshine isle’, Tiree is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the sunniest places in Britain. Its exposed location and sandy beaches make it a magnet for surfers. With a population of around 220, Coll is a place to really get away from it all. The white-washed cottages of Arinagour greet you as you arrive. Walk on the windswept beaches, marvel at the wildlife and enjoy a dram or two in the friendly Coll Hotel. |
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Martin |
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Sue |
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Virginia |
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Bill |
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Dilla |
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Roddy |
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Ken |
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Eve |
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