An Glas Eilean

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

An Glas Eilean

Coll - Arinagour - View from rear of Coll Hotel Looking across Loch Eatharna from the helipad at the back of the Coll Hotel to the many islets in the bay and, on the far left, part of the main island of Coll. The main islet seen at centre is Eilean Eatharna.
The hotel is situated in the village of Arinagour, the chief settlement on the Isle of Coll. — Coll - Arinagour - View from rear of Coll Hotel Credit: Rob Farrow

An Glas Eilean, located in Argyllshire, Scotland, is a picturesque island that offers an idyllic retreat for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The island is situated in the Inner Hebrides, off the western coast of Scotland, and is known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Covering an area of approximately 2 square miles, An Glas Eilean is characterized by its rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, and rolling hills. The island is surrounded by crystal clear waters, making it a haven for marine life and a popular spot for activities such as fishing, sailing, and wildlife spotting. Visitors can expect to encounter a diverse range of flora and fauna, including seals, otters, and various bird species.

The island also boasts a fascinating history, with evidence of human settlement dating back thousands of years. Ruins of ancient buildings, such as stone circles and burial cairns, can be found across the island, offering a glimpse into its past. Additionally, An Glas Eilean was once home to a thriving Gaelic-speaking community, and remnants of their culture can still be seen in the local traditions and customs.

While An Glas Eilean is primarily a rural and unpopulated island, it does offer some amenities for visitors, including a small café and a handful of accommodations for those looking to spend a night or two. However, the main attraction of the island lies in its unspoiled natural beauty and tranquility, making it the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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An Glas Eilean Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.620812/-6.5166907 or Grid Reference NM2356. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coll - Arinagour - View from rear of Coll Hotel

Looking across Loch Eatharna from the helipad at the back of the Coll Hotel to the many islets in the bay and, on the far left, part of the main island of Coll. The main islet seen at centre is Eilean Eatharna. The hotel is situated in the village of Arinagour, the chief settlement on the Isle of Coll.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Houses on Main Street from Coll Hotel

Looking southwards from the side of Coll Hotel looking along Shore Street and Main Street of Arinagour, the chief settlement on the Isle of Coll.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - 90mm gun

This old 90mm gun was recovered by divers from a wreck off the coast and placed here between the ferry port and the village of Arinagour on the Isle of Coll.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - View out to sea from the Coll Hotel

Taken from the garden of NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - The Coll Hotel looking out to sea. The little islet in the centre of the image is Eilean Eatharna, with the sea loch here being Loch Eatharna.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - The Coll Hotel

A view of the Coll Hotel from its grounds in the evening. The white building on the right contains the accommodation while the stone and glass building on the left is the bar and restaurant. To quote from their own website: "The Coll Hotel was recently awarded ‘Independent Hotel of the Year’ at the 2020 CIS Excellence Awards. The Coll Hotel retained the ‘Scottish Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2021 SLTN Awards. It was also awarded ‘Scottish Island Hotel of the Year’ two years running by Hotel Review Scotland and received the prestigious ‘Flavour of Scotland Thistle Award’". Their own website here: Link

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel three-quarter view

Looking from the grounds of NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - The Coll Hotel at the older part of the hotel which contains the accommodation.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel - Rear entrance

This is the rear of NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - The Coll Hotel but is the main entrance to it from the village and from its car park.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel gardens

A view across the gardens on the southeastern side of NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - The Coll Hotel with the village of Arinagour in the background.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - View across The Smiddy to the village

As 'The Smiddy' means a smithy, i.e. a blacksmith's workplace, I'm not sure that this little inlet is actually called that, but that is what the map suggests. The houses along Shore Street and Main Street can be seen on the left, heading southwards out from the centre of the village of Arinagour. Taken from NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel gardens

Rob Farrow

Coll - Eilean Eatharna

The small domed island seen out to sea here is Eilean Eatharna, a small island in Loch Eatharna a sea loch to the south of Arinagour, the chief settlement on the Isle of Coll. This view taken from NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel gardens It is about 9.4acres (3.8ha) in area at the high water mark, considerably larger at low tide. It rises to a little over 10m (33') and has never been populated. In front of it is the small pillar on Sgeir Dhubh (Black Skerry) - see NM2256 : Coll - Sgeir Dhubh and Cairn na Burgh Beg & More

Rob Farrow

Coll - Sgeir Dhubh and Cairn na Burgh Beg & More

The dark little pillar is on the islet of Sgeir Dhubh (Black Skerry) in Loch Eatharna to the south of Arinagour on Coll. The sloping land immediately behind it is the tip of NM2356 : Coll - Eilean Eatharna while in the background can be seen the two northernmost of the Treshnish Isles, Cairn na Burgh Beg (on left) and its larger companion Cairn na Burgh More. These islands are unusual in 'sharing' a castle, some of the ruins of which can just be discerned in this image on the larger island. The photo was taken from NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel gardens.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Shore Street

Looking down Shore Street from near to NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - The Island Café. A little further on this street changes its name to Main Street as it heads out of the village southwards. See the attached Arinagour description for links to 1930s photos of these houses.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Cottages on Main Street

These are the last five cottages on Main Street in Arinagour as you go through the village heading southwards. They are numbered 1 to 5 (with No.1 being the furthest away in this photo). Main Street is a seamless continuation of Shore Street. This is the opposite view to NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Numbers 1 to 5, Main Street See the attached Arinagour description for links to 1930s photos of these houses.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - The Island CafÃ©

This splendid little café is opposite Arinagour's harbour on Shore Street. The road just beyond it on the left leads up to the Post Office. The café is the only place to eat on Coll apart from the Coll Hotel - but note that they are only open Wed - Fri for dinner, or Wed - Sat for breakfast & lunch [Info as at 2022]. See their website here: Link

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Numbers 1 to 5, Main Street

These are the first five houses on Main Street as one enters from the south (e.g. from the ferry). A little further on the street changes its name to Shore Street. They were built early in the C19th (c.1812 I believe) to house workers on the Laird's estate. They originally had flat roofs but these were replaced with the current pitched ones in the 1930s. This is the opposite view to NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Cottages on Main Street See the attached Arinagour description for links to 1930s photos of these houses.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Northern end of Shore Street

This is the opposite view to NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Shore Street looking in a northerly-ish direction. The little building in the distance with the red door is the island's fire station at NM22395724 See the attached Arinagour description for links to 1930s photos of these houses.

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Entering the village from the south

As you approach Arinagour from the ferry this is the first glimpse of the old village though a set back row of cottages and a few more modern building are off to the left (west) beforehand. The cottages ahead on the left can be seen in a closer view here: NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Numbers 1 to 5, Main Street See also shared descriptions below:

Rob Farrow

Coll - Arinagour - Coastguard station and vehicle

Coll's little coastguard station with its Search & Rescue Land Rover parked in front is towards the south of the village of Arinagour on the way to the ferry terminal.

Rob Farrow

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An Glas Eilean is located at Grid Ref: NM2356 (Lat: 56.620812, Lng: -6.5166907)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire