Coll, Tiree & the Treshnish Isles including Staffa
Coll and Tiree
The islands of Coll and Tiree lie North West of Mull with the tiny island of Gunna between the two. Gunna Sound is good place to look for basking sharks and other cetaceans. Perhaps you’ll go ashore on Coll’s white beaches or visit Tiree, known as the “Sunshine Isle” with, believe it or not, just 20% more rainfall than Bournemouth! The Cairns of Coll are renowned for minke whale and other cetaceans and Tiree has populations of corncrakes, Arctic skuas and terns. Hares live on Tiree but there are no rabbits, foxes, stoats or weasels.
The Treshnish Isles and Lunga
East of Tiree and heading toward Mull are the Treshnish Isles. Lunga, the largest of the eight islands, is also a bird sanctuary and part of the Treshnish Isles off the west coast of Mull, a small, uninhabited island; renowned for its dramatic cliffs, stunning landscapes and seasonal Puffin colony. Untouched by human development, except for the temporary floating landing pontoons created for the trip boats. We anchor off and run you ashore, it’s a bit of a rocky landing and traversing the rocks can be tricky. Lunga is steeped in a sense of ancient mystery, with remnants of past human activity, including traces of early settlements and farming practices hinting at its historical importance to seafarers and local inhabitants. Today, Lunga is home to thousands of puffins, guillemots, and razorbills that nest along its cliffs during the breeding season making it a prime destination for our guests who are birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Lunga is just one our many stops for wildlife in the region. Often, we offer two or three hours ashore before heading off to our next anchorage.
Staffa
Staffa is one of the most enchanting gems of the Treshnish Isles within Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. Renowned for its striking geological formations of columnar basalt cliffs rising majestically from the sea. Created by volcanic activity around 60 million years ago, these geological features provide a breathtaking backdrop to the island’s natural beauty, most famously showcased at Fingal’s Cave, one of two sea caverns, Fingal’s cave is celebrated for its incredible acoustics and vibrant colour tones reflected in the waters. Inspiring Mendelssohn to write his Overture titled ‘The Hebrides.’ Staffa is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and a regular stop in favourable weather conditions for Hjalmar Bjorge. Our guests not only get to land and walk around to the great cave but also get a trip into it on our tender, if time and weather allows. For our bird enthusiasts it hosts large colonies of puffins, razorbills, and guillemots during the breeding season, offering our guests the opportunity to experience the island’s captivating blend of natural beauty and vibrant wildlife. Its rugged scenery and the constant rhythm of the Atlantic Ocean makes Staffa a truly magical destination.
