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| Tiree, Inner Hebrides, Scotland |
We had never heard of Tiree before we
began our project. It looked tantalising on the map – being the most
westerly island of the Inner Hebrides, it gives the impression of
drifting away from the archipelago towards the Outer Hebrides.
The
CalMac ferry took us from Oban, through the Sound of Mull to Coll,
where we stayed for a week before continuing the short journey to
neighbouring Tiree. From the ferry, the island appeared to float like a
thin disc on the
sea. Due to its incredible flatness most of the island barely rises
above
sea level. Standing on the enormous, never-ending beach at Gott Bay
it's hard to
believe the island even exists – there seems to be no room left between
the sea and the sky for the land
to fit. Adding to its magical feel, a ring of sandy beaches encompass
the entire
island. Inland, almost every inch is divided up into neat, green
rectangles of crofting land, then scattered with sheep. The people speak
Gaelic, their traditional culture is strong, and it goes without saying
how
friendly and welcoming everyone is.
We
knew nothing of Tiree, but now that we've visited, the island seems
just as imaginary – a fictional island from a children's book, too good
to be true.
Tiree is in the Top 10... for its awe-inspiring collision of sand, sea and sky.
