Happy livestock living the dream |
Farming & Fishing on Coll
Agriculture & crofting
Farming is a major player in Coll's employment and economy. Unlike Tiree, and many other islands, Coll no longer has a large crofting presence. Much of Coll's farming land is owned and worked by resident land owners. Sheep and cattle are the main stock and many of the smaller farms/crofts specialise in native, rare or endangered breeds that are adapted to our wild environment.
You'll find Hebridean sheep and highland cattle, both extremely tasty, amongst the more usual hardy stock of the west coast. In addition to the usual market gardening, fruit, veg, eggs etc.. some land is managed for shooting where snipe, woodcock and goose are favourite.
Fishing
Just a couple of small vessels fish commercially from Coll. Both are creel fishing only and it's sad that no fresh fish is landed/available to purchase when we are a small island surrounded by a rich, bountiful sea.
The plus side is that the crab, lobster, langoustine and squat lobster landed are amongst the finest you'll ever find. If you aren't able to prepare them yourself then the Coll Hotel or the Island Café are the places to taste them at their best.
Many islanders have small craft and throw out the odd creel or fish for whatever's in season. Mackerel's a favourite, a fish to be eaten very, very fresh.
Fishing
Just a couple of small vessels fish commercially from Coll. Both are creel fishing only and it's sad that no fresh fish is landed/available to purchase when we are a small island surrounded by a rich, bountiful sea.
The plus side is that the crab, lobster, langoustine and squat lobster landed are amongst the finest you'll ever find. If you aren't able to prepare them yourself then the Coll Hotel or the Island Café are the places to taste them at their best.
Many islanders have small craft and throw out the odd creel or fish for whatever's in season. Mackerel's a favourite, a fish to be eaten very, very fresh.