The small hotel ‘in the middle of the Atlantic’ which was named one of the best in Scotland is well worth a visit, despite being a three hour ferry journey from the mainland.
The Coll Hotel on the eponymous island, a three-hour ferry trip from Oban, has 10-bedrooms and is also home to the island’s only pub. Located in Arinagour, the business is family-run and, in 2021, was named joint winner in the Independent Hotel category in the Catering Scotland (CIS) Awards alongside the five-star Glenapp Castle in South Ayrshire.
That’s not the only accolade the hotel has been awarded. It has VisitScotland Gold status for exceeding expectations in all areas the business and won ‘Best Hotel Experience Under 20 Rooms’ and ‘Best Eatery Experience’ at the 2022 Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards.
A few years ago, the Oliphant family who run the hotel, doubled the hotel’s number of bedrooms and added an extension which includes a new restaurant, kitchen and bar. While the hotel has a modern new look, it’s been a business on the island for 150 years.
Peter Irvine’s book Scotland the Best calls it a ‘haven’, saying: “Julie and Kevin Oliphant and their daughter Laura continue to win accolades for their exemplary island hotel and restaurant. A fixture for all of 150 years, under the careful and conscientious ownership of the Oliphants for the past 60.
"For visitors and locals alike, the hostelry is a haven. From its conservatory restaurant you look across the bay and village; from the carefully tended garden you look across the Mull.” While others had said it’s a ‘perfect rural hideaway’.
On the menu you’ll find boat-fresh seafood, which has either been caught off the island or Mull. Specifically the lobster, langoustine, squat lobster and crab are creel caught off Coll while the scallops are hand dived from the Isle of Mull and smoked fish comes from the Tobermory Fish Company.
It’s this fresh seafood, and the simple cooking style that have earned the hotel restaurant rave reviews, including an AA rosette for culinary excellence.
The restaurant has views of Arinagour village, the bay, and the islands beyond. In the bar you’ll find a range of Scottish gins, whisky, beers, wine and soft drinks. There’s a garden to enjoy a drink and soak up any good weather, along with the amazing views.
The hotel’s location offers guests unparalleled views across the bay to Mull, Staffa and The Treshnish Isles. The bedroom interior design reflects the coastal location and all have Tartan company blankets, Island Bakery biscuits, Teapig tea, The Little Coffee Bag Company coffee bags and Scottish fine soap, sea kelp toiletries.
For guests who visit in the winter months, the island is a dark skies retreat, which means you may be able to spot the Northern Lights due to the lack of light pollution.
To find out more about the isle of Coll, the Coll hotel and to book a room or meal then visit their website.
