Caolas is at the extreme east end of Tiree, looking across Gunna Sound to Coll. It was once the main ferry-port for Coll, and it had an inn for travellers who were waiting for the ferry.
The poet, John MacLean, was brought up in Caolas. He achieved recognition as Poet to the Laird of Coll, before he emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1819. He was shocked to find thick woodland there, and he composed a famous song about the ‘gloomy wood’ that he had to cut down before he could build a house.
In March 1973, MV Loch Seaforth was sailing to Tiree when she hit a rock to the south of Caolas. The captain ordered the passengers and crew to abandon ship, and the stricken vessel was towed to Gott Pier, where she sank. She was raised by a crane from Germany, and then taken to Troon to be scrapped.
