Explore the Winter Skies With a Camping Trip to the Isle of Coll

• 18th Dec 2018

The Scottish island of Coll, in the Inner Hebrides, is one of the best locations for astronomy in the UK. In 2013, the island officially secured 'dark skies' status, just the second place in Scotland, and the sixth in the whole of the UK, to be designated in this manner. The lack of light pollution here means that it is a perfect place to enjoy a winter camping trip to explore the winter skies. Here you can enjoy gazing up at the stars or the wheeling Northern Lights without the glare of street lights disrupting your view.

Here, you can enjoy a winter camping trip to enjoy night skies that are on a par with remote regions in the high Arctic. The Coll Dark Skies Group has adjusted or retrofitted all the outside lights on the island and taken measures to enhance and preserve the night skies. Measurements taken on the island have shown that the island boasts some of the darkest skies found anywhere in Europe.

Night and day, this small island, with its population of around 200 people, is a tranquil and beautiful place. A strong conservation ethic on the island means that locals are determined to keep it that way. Though most of Coll is equally dark, three sites are officially designated as dark sky viewing areas – a high point above the kirk in Aringour, overlooking the village, a spot at RSPB Totronald, surrounded by machair and dunes, and Cliad football pitch, part of Coll's only golf course.

In the summer, Coll stays light long into the night, and at midsummer there is almost no darkness at all. In winter, however, darkness reigns. Days are short. The sun rises at around 9am in the depths of winter, and sinks again below the horizon at around 3.30pm.

Only around 21km long and 5km wide, Coll is a quiet and peaceful place. Especially in the winter months, few cars disturb the tranquillity and visitors who make it here will easily be able to find their own quiet spot to get away from it all. Though it is small, Coll has no fewer than 23 breathtaking sandy beaches, with pure, white sands. The weather may be chilly, but these beaches are no less beautiful in winter than they are during the summer months.

Campers visiting Coll can stay at the Garden House Campsite. Those with a motorhome or campervan should note that this is the only overnight parking location on the island. This lovely little campsite is a sheltered spot within a walled garden, surrounded by the RSPB bird reserve. Tent campers could also choose to wild camp in the field behind the church in Aringour. Campers should pop into the Coll Hotel on their arrival.

If you are an amateur astronomer, a dreaming star-gazer, or just someone who enjoys getting away from it all in a beautiful, natural setting, the Isle of Coll could be a perfect destination to consider for your next camping trip.