[citation needed] "Cala" is the word specifically used for a hard, sandy beach suitable for landing a boat, which relates plausibly to the location.

However, the museum on the Isle of Mull explains that kald and gart are similar Old Norse words, meaning "cold" and "garden", that were likely used when named by the Vikings who inhabited the Inner Hebrides.

[2] Just up the hill from the pier the deserted village of Inivea remains as roofless stone ruins, an atmospheric relic of the Highland clearances.

A flattish area to the north, higher than the houses, shows signs of rig and furrow cultivation and a drying kiln.

The second verse of Sorley Maclean's poem Tràighean (from Dàin do Eimhir) opens with a powerful invocation of the natural beauty of Calgary bay as symbolic of spending eternity with a loved one:[8] Agus nan robh sinn cuideachd air tràigh Chalgaraidh am Muile, eadar Alba is Tiriodh, eadar an saoghal 's a'bhiothbhuan, dh'fhuirichinn an siud gu luan a' tomhas gainmhich bruan air bhruan.