📜 A Brief History

Evidence of Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements exists across Coll. Ancient burial cairns, standing stones, and remnants of early dwellings suggest the island has been inhabited for over 5,000 years.

Like much of the Hebrides, Coll was once under Norse control. Many place names on the island, including Arinagour, reflect this Viking legacy.

The MacLeans of Coll ruled the island for centuries. They built and occupied Breachacha Castle, a stronghold still standing today. The clan shaped much of the island’s social and political life in the medieval period.

Coll developed as a crofting and fishing community. With changing land laws and economic hardship, many residents emigrated to Canada, Australia, and the mainland.

In recent decades, Coll has embraced sustainable tourism and conservation. It became one of the UK’s few official Dark Sky Islands and is celebrated for its wildlife, community spirit, and natural beauty.