SUN, SAND & SHARKS

Coll and Tiree are famed for their beaches, aqua-marine seas, a lot of wind, and sharks. Tiree in particular is one of the places you are most likely to encounter basking sharks on the Scottish coast. Our circumnavigation of the two islands over three days didn’t disappoint - we had two beside the boats for several long minutes off the west coast and several more as we rounded the southern tip of the island. That evening, we sat on the shore and watched them working the tide. The only other encounters I have had were off the south coast of Mull, and none were more than fleeting glimpses. In fact the only disappointment was the poor light which made photographing these huge fish nearly impossible despite their proximity.

Leaving one of many perfect beaches, watched by the seals, on the west coast of Coll.

Chris with the first of the sharks we saw in the foreground.

A distant view of The Dutchman’s Cap and Mull beyond.

An idyllic camp on the first night of the trip.

Like all such journeys, it ended too soon, but the Torridon hills were calling, after which, if the weather held, the far north and the cliffs of Whiten Head.