Arinagour Explained

Country:Scotland
Official Name:Arinagour
Gaelic Name:Àirigh nan Gobhar
Population:50
Population Ref:(approximate)
Coordinates:56.62°N -6.53°W
Os Grid Reference:NM2257
Unitary Scotland:Argyll and Bute
Lieutenancy Scotland:Argyll and Bute
Constituency Westminster:Argyll and Bute
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Argyll and Bute
Post Town:ISLE OF COLL
Postcode District:PA78
Postcode Area:PA
Dial Code:01879
Static Image:Coll.jpg
Static Image Caption:View over Arinagour and Arinagour Bay

Arinagour (gd|Àirigh nan Gobhar, "shieling of the goats"[1]) is a village on the island of Coll, in the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. It is the main settlement on the island, and is the island's ferry terminal.[2] It has a population of around 50.[3]

History

Arinagour has been a site of human activity since prehistoric times as evidenced by a standing stone located by the shore.

In 1961 it had a population of 54.[4]

Buildings

Arinagour parish church is a Gothic Revival Church, with a timber roof and lancet windows, that was built in 1907.

Arinagour Free Church was built circa 1880, with a belcote and pointed arch windows it became disused in 2008.

There is a First World War and Second World War memorial in Arinagour, on Shore Street, in the form of a small standing stone with a memorial plaque to those locals who died in the wars.[5]

Education

Arinagour Primary School is located in the village and was built in 1954.[6] In 2022, it was reported as having only 6 pupils.[7]

Transport

Coll's ferry terminal is located on the edge of Arinagour.[8] It is a staffed location, with a pier, vehicle assembly area, passenger facilities and some public moorings.[8] The harbour and pier are also used by leisure craft and small cruise ships.[9]

A ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne crosses to Oban and Tiree daily, extending once a week to Castlebay on Barra.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba. 2020-07-28.
  2. Web site: Arinagour: Overview. Gazetteer for Scotland. 21 December 2017.
  3. Web site: Arinagour. Visit Coll. 7 January 2021.
  4. Web site: Arinagour. Gazetteer for Scotland. 14 July 2019.
  5. Web site: Island of Coll . Imperial War Museums . 2024-10-01.
  6. Web site: Council . Bute . Arinagour Primary School . Argyll and Bute Council . 2024-10-01.
  7. Web site: McConnell . Stewart . Teacher's 'fairytale' after quitting mainland for life on sleepy island of Coll . Daily Record . 2022-08-17 . 2024-10-01.
  8. Web site: Coll: Arinagour . CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd . 2023-04-21 . 2024-10-01.
  9. Web site: Harbour Operations Information . CalMac Ferries . 2024-10-01.