Cairns of Coll

The Cairns of Coll lie off the north end of Coll, one of the Inner Hebrides. They are groups of skerries—small rocky islets that barely show above the water at high tide. About forty skerries cluster around Eilean Mòr, the largest islet, with smaller groups near Eag na Maoile and Sùil Ghorm. The skerries are named Sgeir Ghlas, Sgeir Leathan, and others, though only the largest have titles. In the 19th century, charts called the outermost pair the Cairns of Coll, while later maps used the name for the whole group. These waters are dangerous for boats because of fast tidal currents. A late 19th-century guide warned that the half-mile channel between the Cairns and Sùil Ghorm should only be used by pilots with local knowledge. The currents run swiftly, making navigation risky without experience. The skerries are rich in marine life, including seals and other mammals. In 2014, Alexander McCall Smith bought the Cairns to return them as a wildlife sanctuary after his death. A white metal lighthouse stands on Sùil Ghorm, built in 1909 by David and Charles Stevenson. It flashes every twelve seconds and is powered by solar panels. The tower is painted white with a lantern gallery on top. The Northern Lighthouse Board operates it today. Visitors to Coll can see the lighthouse from the north coast, a reminder of the hazards these rocks once posed. The surrounding waters remain a haven for wildlife.