Coll Hotel

Seafaring readers anchored at Arinagour to seek a shower and dinner at the social hub of ‘a beautiful island with spectacular beaches, dark-sky park and wonderful wildlife’. It gains a full entry this year, with the addition of a ‘modern but sympathetic’ extension, including spacious bar areas, and a restaurant with views to Mull and the Treshnish isles. ‘We were met enthusiastically and told they indeed had a shower room for non-residents. Towels were thrust into our hands and we were directed to a large wet room. Brilliant!’ The Oliphant family have poured heart and soul into Coll’s only hotel since the ’60s, and ‘deserve every success’. Bedrooms (three with garden access) are unfussy and immaculate, with a luxury bed and home-baked treats. The menus showcase local produce – creel-caught lobster and crab, fish landed in Oban, grass-fed lamb. ‘We enjoyed fish soup, delicately cooked Gigha halibut with cherry tomato, spinach and Parmesan risotto with rocket (outstanding).’ Breakfast brings Loch Fyne kippers, Cumberland sausage or haggis, before a day’s dolphin-spotting or a visit to the RSPB reserve. (David Birnie, MC)