THIS Isle lies about half a League to the East and North-East of Tire-eiy, from which it hath been sever'd by the Sea. It is ten miles in length, and three in breadth; it is generally compos'd of little rocky Hills, cover'd with Heath. The North-side is much plainer, and Arable Ground, affording Barley and Oats; the Inhabitants always feed on the latter, and those of Tire-eiy on the former. The Isle of Coll produces more Boys than Girls, and the Isle of Tire-eiy more Girls than Boys; as if Nature intended both these Isles for mutual Alliances, without being at the trouble of going to the adjacent Isles or Continent to be matched. The Parish-Book, in which the number of the Baptized is to be seen, confirms this Observation.

Extracted from Martin Martin, 'A Tour of the Western Isles'