Cairns of Coll – The Jewel of the Inner Hebrides – Wild Swimming Scotland

Spontaneity is the spice of life and when opportunities arise and you have space for them why not grab on with both hands. This is exactly what happened to Lynda last week, she happened to be checking in with Shane from Basking Shark Scotland for this weekend’s Corryvreckan swim. As seafarers and mermaids do the conversation turned to the weather, and how perfect the current conditions were. It goes without saying that when there’s a couple of sunny icons all in a row you have to make hay as they say, and no sooner had Shane told Lynda about space on the boat that week Lynda leaped at the chance to go up and make the most of it.

To Lynda it was a no brainer, made a few calls, moved a few meetings and then suddenly she was off to one of her favourite places, The Cairns of Coll. This refers to a rocky outcrop in the shallows of the Inner Hebrides just to the north end of Coll. They are a swimming paradise, full of abundant marine life and in the sunshine can be quite spectacular.

Fast forward to adventure day, alarm clock set for 3.45am and Lynda was raring to go for the 3.5 hour drive up to Oban. At the best of times she loves this drive, winding along the A82 heading for the highlands. Every time passing glimpses of water and making the mental note to return. This time was no different, but had found herself chasing the full harvest moon up the road alongside mist lying in the valleys made for a very spiritual drive.

As always arriving in good time to say hi to the lads before meeting her other adventurers for the day. Not having to worry about whether all the kit was checked, first aid bag stocked or lifeguard tow buoy in hand, this was an adventure all for Lynda and what a day it was. There were folk from the states and some just across the border in Newcastle, who were using up a Christmas voucher. They’d lucked out on the glorious weather! You can sense there’s going to be a theme throughout this blog, but I’m sorry in Scotland you’ve got to shout about it when you can!

Speeding out from Oban harbour and into the sound of Mull. Mull on their left and main land Scotland on the right before arriving at the iconic vision of beauty. Aqua sea with gin like clarity, white sands, and the sun in the sky. Honestly Lynda had to pinch herself, on a “work day” always feels a bit naughty, even if it’s a scheduled day off, which makes this even more exciting.

The Cairns of Coll are owned by the author Alexander McCall Smith, who has set out to ensure they are preserved. They’re not big enough for people to habituate the cairns, so they’re only accessible by boat. It’s never guaranteed though as water this shallow with such large rocks, it’s one that is almost impossible to navigate in bad weather.

All the swimmers onboard started to get ready, pulling on swim hats, wetsuits for some, before sliding overboard into the beautiful cool 15° water. Evan, their very own marine biologist for the day, was in charge of keeping an eye on them whilst finding “cool stuff”. Now when I say “cool stuff” I obviously mean the magnificent flora and fauna from the depths, I should also point out at this stage he’s an incredible freediver. You often catch glimpses of him amongst the kelp and question whether you’re witnessing a merman. He did come up trumps too, found a sea potato! Which is a little urchin that looks like a fluffy hamster. The fluff though is tiny little beige spines, but the cool thing about sea potato’s is that they have these little tube feet that they use to feed.

This particular trip was a snorkelling trip for Basking Shark Scotland, so swimmers were getting used to their kit, fins in the water around the boat before making their way to a little sandy beach. A short walk across took them into a beautifully clear bay with amazing clarity. The group stalling at the re-entry point to the sea, as they watched the incredibly camouflaged sand hopers dash across the sea bed. Once in appreciating the kelp in the shapes it was creating and just taking in all the magnificent colours and different varieties. Spending about an hour and a half here, just marvelling in the experience of the day and taking moments of appreciation amongst the water. No sooner had they done that they were caught by the current that swooshed them around the side of the island and back to the boat.

Back on board, Shane had the group tucking into hot drinks and cake before bidding an adieu to the Cairns of Coll. Saying goodbye feels too formal for these beautiful isles, and after today Lynda had made the concrete decision this won’t be her last visit! Although never really knowing whether the conditions will ever be this perfect for her again, but the same swimmer doesn’t ever really show up to the same swim twice anyway. We all change as much as the tide, so intrigued to know what that next visit will bring!

On their way back, eagle-eyed Even spotted something out at sea, that man is always scouting the horizon for wildlife, signs of movement. Usually being drawn by the birds to activity at the surface, but on a day like today, with conditions as they were, he was able to spot a nursery pod of dolphins. Around 30 mothers and their young having a fabulous time, showing off their juvenile skills, jumping in the air and playing in the sunshine.

No sooner had they thought it couldn’t get any better, it was time to stop at Tobemory to refuel, stretch the legs and after a day like today purchase a bottle of the 12-year-old whiskey. A wee dram can be enjoyed once Lynda’s back at home, ever the more sweeter remembering the day in which she purchased it. What an incredible day for all, and a sure sign that if you ever wonder whether you should do that spontaneous mid-week thing, you absolutely should, given the chance!