Editorial

There are over seventy pages in this issue of the Coll Magazine which is, I think, an excellent testimony to the impact that this small island has had on lives in Scotland and beyond.

It was a great pleasure this year to receive unsolicited contributions from so many individuals. The flora and fauna of Coll frequently inspire botanists and ornithologists to write of their sightings on the island and this year Frank Horsman offers his knowledge and insight on the Irish Lady's Tresses orchid which he has studied here over many years. To add to the thoughts on the natural world, Pat Graham shares her enthusiasm for trees and Charlie Self, as the RSPB warden and a regular contributor, reflects on the developments within the reserve over the past year.

Family , history too is a subject close to the heart of many readers of the Coll magazine. People from far and wide delight in their ancestral links to this rock on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. We were delighted to receive Elaine Croker's contribution, all the way from Australia, outlining her own family history. Betty MacDougall has contributed much that is informative and interesting on this subject over the years so that now, looking at the accumulation of articles over seventeen years, there is a large chunk of island genealogy accessible to anyone that is interested.

The magazine has also published a large amount of general history and this year, Laura Gloag adds to this collection of articles with her well researched contribution on the Rev Dugald MacEchern. Eric Hobbs offers history of a different kind, having been on board the Nevada when it ran aground on rocks in the east end of the island whilst holidaymaker C. John Hill offers history of a broader nature following his discovery of a mailboat from St Kilda on the shore at Torastan last summer.

Holidays often provide inspiration for contributors and this year two more families write about their long association with the island. The Vere Nicholl family are photographed as children on the beach at Breachacha in the early 60s and later, with their own children, at Torastan in the 90s. Kenneth Cassells has early memories of staying at the Coll Hotel.

The Coll magazine wouldn't be the same, however, without a record of all the events and developments of the past year. The numerous pages devoted to things that are happening on the island demonstrates the dynamism that is currently evident in community life. Honey Smalley has gone away for a while, but she writes to tell us about her new experiences and it is good to stay in touch.

All in all, an intriguing snapshot of the way in which Coll inspires and nurtures. We hope that it can continue. This will be that last editorial that I will write, the last Coll Magazine that I will edit. It has been an enjoyable experience but now it is time to move on. I have very much enjoyed reading all the many letters that I have received from readers and it is good to know that enthusiasm for the magazine is so widespread. On behalf of the Coll magazine committee I would like to thank all contributors and anyone else who has helped in any way in the production of the magazine.

Alison McVey