One of Coll's best known characters died on the 19th March 1996. Archie Walker was born in Renfrew where for a time his father had found work. As a result of a tragic accident when, as a small child, he fell out of his pram, he lost both his speech and hearing. Profoundly deaf and dumb his parents ensured the best education and Archie attended Langside College, Glasgow (the Old Deaf and Dumb School).

He learned a trade as a cobbler and worked at a number of jobs on the Mainland and Mull before coming to Coll before the war with his parents to Gorton. His father was then manager at Breacachadh (hence Walkers Cottage). Archie worked on the Estate and in 1941 married MaryBelle MacRae (sister of Ian and Allan MacRae - Cornaigbeg). For a time they lived in the Bothy at Breacachadh where a son Donald was born and then at Uig where two sons, Allan and Archie and a daughter Catherine Ann were born. By fishing lobsters in his spare time Archie saved enough to buy a cow and they sold milk to the creamery at Breacachadh and the cream to the mainland. From this humble start, Archies highly respected farming career was born.

In 1955 the family moved to Islay where Archie had rented a large farm. Success followed and he expanded to a second neighbouring farm. He retired in 1978 to his parents family croft in Tiree for a short time until his wife MaryBelle's ill health necessitated a return to Islay. After her death in 1990 Archie spent most of his time on Coll, helping about and spending time with friends old and new.

Despite his disability, Archie was a highly respected and well-known West Highland Farmer. Renown for his humour and serious dancing prowess, his lip reading skills and sharp acumen, meant he was a man who kept us all `on our toes'.