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Àird Sgrathach

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Ross-shire

Scotland

Àird Sgrathach

Lochs Show 2011 North Harris and the 10th Lochs Agricultural Show at the Laxey Showground, Balallan / Baile Ailein.
Lochs Show 2011 Credit: Colin Smith

Àird Sgrathach is a prominent coastal feature located in Ross-shire, Scotland. This headland, also known as a point, stretches out into the North Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Situated on the northwest coast of Scotland, it is nestled between the villages of Gairloch and Poolewe.

The rugged cliffs of Àird Sgrathach rise steeply from the ocean, reaching impressive heights that add to its dramatic appeal. Its geological formation comprises a mix of ancient rocks, including Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss, which have been shaped by millions of years of erosion.

The headland is known for its diverse marine and bird life, making it a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Seals, dolphins, and even whales can often be spotted in the waters surrounding Àird Sgrathach, while seabirds such as gannets, puffins, and guillemots nest on the cliffs. The area also supports a variety of plant species, including heather, gorse, and wildflowers, adding vibrant colors to the landscape.

Visitors to Àird Sgrathach can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking along the coastal paths that offer stunning views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. The headland is also a popular spot for fishing, with anglers trying their luck in the abundant waters.

Overall, Àird Sgrathach is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Scottish Highlands. Its rugged cliffs, diverse wildlife, and picturesque surroundings make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Àird Sgrathach Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.092279/-6.5611126 or Grid Reference NB3120. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lochs Show 2011 North Harris and the 10th Lochs Agricultural Show at the Laxey Showground, Balallan / Baile Ailein.
Lochs Show 2011
North Harris and the 10th Lochs Agricultural Show at the Laxey Showground, Balallan / Baile Ailein.
Balallan: view along Loch Èireasort Looking east from the A859 as it passes through this long, linear village.
Balallan: view along Loch Èireasort
Looking east from the A859 as it passes through this long, linear village.
Bridge on the Hebridean Way Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
Bridge on the Hebridean Way
Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
Kinloch Parish Kirk Belonging to the Church of Scotland.
Kinloch Parish Kirk
Belonging to the Church of Scotland.
A859 skirting Loch Bhaltois
A859 skirting Loch Bhaltois
House at Beinn Bhuidhe
House at Beinn Bhuidhe
Houses near Mircill Glas, Baile Ailein
Houses near Mircill Glas, Baile Ailein
Loch Bhaltois, taken from the A859
Loch Bhaltois, taken from the A859
Fence line at Balallan I was going to walk further in but the weather was so miserable, typically Lewis, that the fence was as far as I got before the rain was on my lens!
Fence line at Balallan
I was going to walk further in but the weather was so miserable, typically Lewis, that the fence was as far as I got before the rain was on my lens!
Baile Ailean (Balallan) and Loch na Deasport The loch marks the eastern extremity of the crofting township of Baile Ailean. On older maps it is named Loch nan Deaspoirt. In the background are some of the hills north of Loch Shiphoirt (Loch Seaforth).
Baile Ailean (Balallan) and Loch na Deasport
The loch marks the eastern extremity of the crofting township of Baile Ailean. On older maps it is named Loch nan Deaspoirt. In the background are some of the hills north of Loch Shiphoirt (Loch Seaforth).
Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica) A common plant of wet, boggy places, Lousewort thrives in the acid peat of Leòdhas.
Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica)
A common plant of wet, boggy places, Lousewort thrives in the acid peat of Leòdhas.
Cnoc a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig The name applies to the rocky outcrop and means 'rock of the small red boy'. The puddles on the road are evidence of recent heavy showers, and there were many more to come.
Cnoc a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig
The name applies to the rocky outcrop and means 'rock of the small red boy'. The puddles on the road are evidence of recent heavy showers, and there were many more to come.
A Bend in the Track Marked by another puddle, the track curves round the foot of Cnoc a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig, just above an expanse of peat bog. The distant hill is Ròineabhal, just visible between Druim Biorag to its left and Cnoc Dubh Druim Biorag to its right.
A Bend in the Track
Marked by another puddle, the track curves round the foot of Cnoc a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig, just above an expanse of peat bog. The distant hill is Ròineabhal, just visible between Druim Biorag to its left and Cnoc Dubh Druim Biorag to its right.
Track across the Moor All over the Hebrides there are rough roads and tracks which give access to areas where peat is cut. The peat banks show up as dark lines across the bog, where bare peat has been exposed by cutting. The low ridge is unnamed on the maps, but the outcrop of rock to its right is Creag Latharbaidh, round which a meander of the Abhainn Lacasaidh (Laxay River) 'salmon river' flows. The very distant highest point, crowned with masts, is Èitseal (223 metres) above Acha Mòr (Achmore) in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NB3030">NB3030</a>.
Track across the Moor
All over the Hebrides there are rough roads and tracks which give access to areas where peat is cut. The peat banks show up as dark lines across the bog, where bare peat has been exposed by cutting. The low ridge is unnamed on the maps, but the outcrop of rock to its right is Creag Latharbaidh, round which a meander of the Abhainn Lacasaidh (Laxay River) 'salmon river' flows. The very distant highest point, crowned with masts, is Èitseal (223 metres) above Acha Mòr (Achmore) in NB3030.
Looking towards Ròineabhal Ròineabhal (269 metres) appears in the gap between Cnoc na Buaile on the left and Druim Biorag on the right. In the bog in the foreground are the faces of peat banks laid bare when peat was last cut here, and not yet overgrown again. It would be interesting to know why the top of Druim Biorag is so green by comparison with the surrounding brown bog. It certainly seems to be the preferred grazing place for the sheep!
Looking towards Ròineabhal
Ròineabhal (269 metres) appears in the gap between Cnoc na Buaile on the left and Druim Biorag on the right. In the bog in the foreground are the faces of peat banks laid bare when peat was last cut here, and not yet overgrown again. It would be interesting to know why the top of Druim Biorag is so green by comparison with the surrounding brown bog. It certainly seems to be the preferred grazing place for the sheep!
Peat Bog near Baile Ailean In the bog in the foreground are the faces of peat banks laid bare when peat was last cut here, and not yet overgrown again.Notre how green the top of Druim Biorag by comparison with the surrounding brown bog. The grass there is obviously attractive to the sheep. The distant mountain is Ròineabhal, its appearance beying its modest 269 metres above sea level.
Peat Bog near Baile Ailean
In the bog in the foreground are the faces of peat banks laid bare when peat was last cut here, and not yet overgrown again.Notre how green the top of Druim Biorag by comparison with the surrounding brown bog. The grass there is obviously attractive to the sheep. The distant mountain is Ròineabhal, its appearance beying its modest 269 metres above sea level.
Baile Ailein (Balallan) A foreshortened view of Baile Ailein from the top of Cnoc a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig seems to crowd the village at the foot of the hills. I can't quite make up my mind whether the most prominent hill is Dùn Chonaill in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NB2616">NB2616</a> or Cadha Cleit in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NB2615">NB2615</a>, but it's probably the latter.
Baile Ailein (Balallan)
A foreshortened view of Baile Ailein from the top of Cnoc a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig seems to crowd the village at the foot of the hills. I can't quite make up my mind whether the most prominent hill is Dùn Chonaill in NB2616 or Cadha Cleit in NB2615, but it's probably the latter.
Abhainn Lacasaidh (Laxay River) The view of the river from the top of Cnoa a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig. Its name means 'salmon river' and it drains Loch nam Faoileag 'loch of the gulls' into the sea-loch Loch Eireasort via Loch Bhaltois (not to be confused with the other Bhaltos on the west side of the island). The low green hill on the far bank is Druim nan Iadhlann, and the higher brown ridge is Beinn Ceadraiseal.
Abhainn Lacasaidh (Laxay River)
The view of the river from the top of Cnoa a' Ghille Ruaidh Bhig. Its name means 'salmon river' and it drains Loch nam Faoileag 'loch of the gulls' into the sea-loch Loch Eireasort via Loch Bhaltois (not to be confused with the other Bhaltos on the west side of the island). The low green hill on the far bank is Druim nan Iadhlann, and the higher brown ridge is Beinn Ceadraiseal.
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Àird Sgrathach is located at Grid Ref: NB3120 (Lat: 58.092279, Lng: -6.5611126)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///campsites.noun.common. Near Leurbost, Na h-Eileanan Siar

Nearby Locations

Cnoc an t-Searraich a Stigh Àird Sgrathach Rubha a' Chlèirich Rubha Grànda Cnoc an t-Searraich a Muigh

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.092279,-6.5611126
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Rubha a' Bhàird Ross-shire
Rubha Mhic-aoidh Argyllshire

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