Airdean Beaga

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Ross-shire

Scotland

Airdean Beaga

Stormy Waves hit Arnish Point Lighthouse Stormy waves batter Arnish Point Lighthouse, Isle of Lewis — Stormy Waves hit Arnish Point Lighthouse Credit: Adam Forsyth

Airdean Beaga is a prominent coastal feature located in Ross-shire, Scotland. It is a headland that extends into the North Sea, forming a distinct point along the coastline. With its breathtaking panoramic views and rugged cliffs, Airdean Beaga is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The headland is characterized by its dramatic landscape, with steep cliffs that reach heights of up to 100 meters. These cliffs are composed of ancient rock formations, providing insight into the geological history of the area. Visitors can admire the stunning sight of the waves crashing against the rocks, creating a mesmerizing display of natural power.

The headland is also known for its diverse wildlife. Seabirds such as puffins, gannets, and kittiwakes can be spotted nesting on the cliffs, while seals can often be seen basking on the nearby shores. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, making it a popular spot for fishing and diving.

For those interested in history, Airdean Beaga has archaeological significance as well. The remains of ancient settlements and burial sites have been discovered in the vicinity, offering a glimpse into the lives of past civilizations. These historical remnants add depth and intrigue to the already captivating landscape.

Visitors to Airdean Beaga can access the headland via a well-maintained footpath that winds its way along the coastline. The path offers stunning views of the surrounding area and allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this coastal feature.

In conclusion, Airdean Beaga in Ross-shire is a remarkable headland that offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance. Its rugged cliffs, panoramic views, and diverse wildlife make it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper connection with nature.

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Airdean Beaga Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.198264/-6.3592289 or Grid Reference NB4331. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Stormy Waves hit Arnish Point Lighthouse

Stormy waves batter Arnish Point Lighthouse, Isle of Lewis

Adam Forsyth

Stornoway Town

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis seen from Sandwick with Caledonian MacBrayne's MV Loch Seaforth departing for Ullapool

Adam Forsyth

Iolaire memorial

In the early hours of New Year's Day 1919 the biggest tragedy ever to affect the Western Isles occurred when H.M.Y. Iolaire carrying soldiers and sailors returning home from the First World War struck rocks within sight of Stornoway harbour. 205 men lost their lives and almost every community in Lewis and Harris was affected with the loss of a father, husband, brother or son. What should have been a joyful celebration at the end of the war turned into years of mourning for these islands and the beginning of the population decline which is still felt in the islands today.

Ralph Greig

Path to the shore

Ralph Greig

A Lewis Rainbow

Ralph Greig

Sewage Windmills "blowing the smell away"

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

Ralph Greig

Iolaire Monument

The curving strips on the right are the names of the islanders who died in the 'Iolaire' disaster, arranged by the locality where they lived. The longest strips are those communities who lost the largest number of their men. The original monument is in the background.

Anne Burgess

Iolaire Monument

This is the plaque on the monument to the men lost in the 'Iolaire' disaster.

Anne Burgess

Eilean Thuilm

Eilean Thuilm lies just offshore, close to the 'Beasts of Holm', the rocks on which HMY 'Iolaire' was wrecked.

Anne Burgess

Iolaire Monument

This is the original monument commemorating the 'Iolaire' disaster of 1 January 1919.

Anne Burgess

Iolaire Monument

The curving strips on the left are the names of the islanders who died in the 'Iolaire' disaster, arranged by the locality where they lived. The longest strips are those communities who lost the largest number of their men. The original monument is in the background.

Anne Burgess

Old Red Sandstone Conglomerate

Most of Na h-Eileanan an Iar (The Western Isles) is composed of Lewisian Gneiss, apart from a relatively small area of Old Red Sandstone at Stornoway and the Eye Peninsula. This is some of that sandstone, laid down by intermittent floods in a desert environment over 400 million years ago.

Anne Burgess

Traditional Houses

On the corner of Keith Street and Francis Street, these are very much in keeping with the sort of late 18th and early 19th century houses found in most parts of Scotland - and they have little in common with the black houses of most of the Hebrides.

Anne Burgess

Arnish Point Lighthouse, Stornoway Harbour

Arnish Point Lighthouse marks the entrance to Stornoway Harbour. As such, it is often referred to as Stornoway Lighthouse. Designed by Alan Stevenson of the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse engineers, it is located on a headland on the west side of the entrance to Stornoway Harbour, about 3 miles south of the town. The lighthouse is unusual in that it is made of iron, rather than stone, and was the Northern Lighthouse Board’s first prefabricated lighthouse. The light was continuously manned from 1852 until it was automated in 1963 and the cottages that housed the keepers were subsequently sold.

David Dixon

Arnish Point Lateral Marker Buoy

Lateral Marks are used generally to mark the sides of well-defined, navigable channels. They are coloured red (port hand marks) and green (starboard hand marks) and indicate the port and starboard hand sides of the route to be followed.

David Dixon