Traditional croft on the Isle of Tiree

Coll & Tiree: A Hebridean Escape

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

6 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1215 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Tranquility

Enjoy the tranquility of Hebridean life in one of the sunniest places in Britain. Listen to the Atlantic waves lap gently at the shore, and hear the machair rustling softly in the wind.

Beautiful beaches

Wander along endless sandy beaches and bask in their crystal clear waters. The beauty of these beaches has made them a mecca for surfers and windsurfers from around the world.

Ben Hogh

Wander to Coll’s highest point – Ben Hogh – for a breathtaking Hebridean panorama. On a clear day, even the Outer Hebridean islands are clearly visible.

Wildlife

Spot a vast array of marine wildlife and seabirds in one of the last great wildernesses in all of Europe.

Historical sites

Discover the fascinating history of Coll & Tiree by visiting archaeological sites like 2,000 year old Dùn Mòr Broch.

Dark skies

Far from the obscuring haze of city light pollution, Coll & Tiree have some of the darkest skies in Europe and offer fantastic stargazing opportunities in the dark skies.

A Tranquil Hebridean Self-Drive Tour

This self-drive holiday takes you on a wonderful journey to the magical islands of Coll & Tiree. Unspoilt sandy beaches and crystal clear water combine to create a paradise undiscovered by most tourists.

A short ferry trip to these beautiful islands will begin your time enjoying the tranquility of Hebridean life.

This self-drive holiday takes you on a wonderful journey to the magical islands of Coll & Tiree. A short ferry journey from the West Coast port town of Oban will immerse you in the tranquility of island life on two stunningly beautiful Hebridean islands. Unspoilt sandy beaches and crystal clear water combine in one of the sunniest places in Britain to create a paradise undiscovered by most tourists. Coll & Tiree also have some of the darkest skies in Europe, making this trip a must-do for stargazers and night owls!

This is a dream holiday for those seeking a complete escape from the stresses and strains of modern life. With most of the attractions on these islands completely natural – you will soon ease into a gentler pace of life as you stroll along the beach, have a picnic on the machair or get lost in the islands’ great history. Take a tranquil journey back in time in Coll and Tiree.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Oban to the Isle of Coll

Your trip starts in the bustling seaside town of Oban where you will take the ferry to the Isle of Coll. The three hour journey is an attraction in itself – sailing through the Sound of Mull past the colourful town of Tobermory and Ardnamurchan point. Keep your eyes peeled for basking sharks, whales and bottlenose dolphins.

You will arrive at Arinagour – Coll’s main village. The island has no streetlights, no mobile phone coverage, and no “today’s newspaper,” so it’s difficult not to start to unwind instantly and become acclimatised to a more tranquil pace of life.
Overnight – Isle of Coll

Day 2: Isle of Coll Sightseeing

The Isle of Coll is rich in natural attractions. Walk along Cliad Beach with its white sand and turquoise waters and look out for otters and seals, or visit the RSPB Nature Reserve to see the unique birdlife like skylarks, lapwings and corncrakes who use the machair moorlands as a breeding habitat. Venture inland to discover one of Coll’s fascinating crannogs, a reminder of an ancient civilisation, or visit 15th century Breachacha Castle.
Overnight – Isle of Coll

Day 3: Isle of Coll Sightseeing

Wander up to the top of Ben Hogh which, at only 348 feet, is Coll’s highest summit and offers spectacular views of the surrounding islands and a breathtaking Hebridean panorama. With the closest street lamp being on the Isle of Mull, light pollution is non-existent on Coll, making it the perfect location to spot shooting stars and distant galaxies at night.
Overnight – Isle of Coll

Day 4: Isle of Coll to the Isle of Tiree

Make the stunning ferry journey to the nearby Isle of Tiree – the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides. Beautiful Tiree is a mecca for surfers as it is one of the sunniest and windiest places in the UK. The island is very flat and there is nothing to obscure your view of the sweeping white beaches and Hebridean panoramas.
Overnight – Isle of Tiree

Day 5: Isle of Tiree Sightseeing

Explore Tiree’s fascinating Iron Age relics such as forts, standing stones and ancient brochs – the most intact being located at Dùn Mòr Bhalla at Vaul. To gain a further insight into the island’s history you could visit one of the excellent heritage centres at Hynish, An Lodhlann or An Turas.

Between spring and autumn you can observe the spectacular procession of wildflowers, from wild orchids to ragged robins.
Overnight – Isle of Tiree

Day 6: Isle of Tiree Sightseeing

Tiree is one of the best places in the world for surfing, windsurfing and kayaking, and whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned pro – lessons and hires are offered by a number of local providers. If you don’t fancy trying it yourself, simply unwind in your stunning surroundings.

The island is perfect for wildlife spotting, with its unique array of seabirds such as oystercatchers and redshanks.
Overnight – Isle of Tiree

Day 7: Isle of Tiree to Oban

Sadly your Hebridean escape comes to an end today as you take the ferry back to Oban and return to the Scottish mainland.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 6 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
7 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
All ferry crossings (as per your itinerary)
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Due to the limited selection of accommodation available on Coll and Tiree, we only offer our Standard accommodation package for this self-drive holiday.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

Sun, Sea and Serenity in Coll & Tiree

With unspoilt sandy beaches and some of the highest hours of sunshine in the British Isles, the Isles of Coll and Tiree are a paradise undiscovered by most tourists. James from the Absolute Escapes team sets off on a Hebridean escape ... Read more