Grateful acknowledgement for the happy idea of the above title is hereby made to Mr Peter Smalley of Clabbach.

I'd like to make it clear that this magazine is not now, and is never intended to be, a profit-making venture. I hope it will pay its way - and it soon will if people actually buy a copy for themselves and not pass the same, increasingly tattered one around all their friends and relatives! The best way of giving it support is to subscribe now to the next issue; subscription form on page 38. And what about a copy of the first issue and a subscription for the next one, to friends and relatives in Britain and abroad who know the island, or are interested in the Hebrides generally? This is one way of putting Coll a little more "on the map", where it needs to be.

This first issue has been financed in the following ways:- subscriptions and donations from well-wishers; advertising fees; a 'Social Grant' towards the initial launching from the Highlands & Islands Development Board; my own funds. No fees have been paid for contributions or illustrations but I hope this will be possible in future.

We have lots of plans for future issues, but we also need practical help, ideas, suggestions and even criticisms from our readers. Original articles, photographs, sketches, letters, informative notes, poetry, humour are all grist to the mill. The next issue will include features on farming and land use, island churches past and present, some of Coll's well-known former inhabitants (memories of Neillie-John for a start, please). "Colloquies" on island flowers, marine life, archaeological and geological points would be especially welcome. It would be fun to have a "Coll-legends" section with stories and yarns about particular people, places, "ghosts".

Coll has never had very extensive "Press coverage", - even Dr Johnson only wrote so much about it because he was unwillingly stormbound for several days. Current publications about the island include the "Guide to Coll" and "Folklore from Coll" (prices 36p and 80p) both by Betty MacDougal and available from Smith Ltd of Glasgow, the Oban Tourist Office and the island's shops. "Reverend John Walker's Report on the Hebrides of 1764 and 1771" published by John Donald and edited by Margaret M. McKay (price £15) includes a detailed description of the island's life and economy at that time. Noel Banks "Six Inner Hebrides" published by David and Charles has several sections on Coll. Nicholas Maclean Bristol's "Hebridean Decade" Mull, Coll and Tiree 1761-1771 published by the Society of West Highland & Island Historical Research.

Lastly, my warmest thanks to everyone who has helped to make this issue actually appear - contributors, advertisers, the H.I.D.B., subscribers and several generous donators. Miss F. Russell and especially to my artistic Coll-aborator, Mairi Hedderwick.