Àird na Bà

Landscape Feature in Ross-shire

Scotland

Àird na Bà

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 Credit: Ralph Greig

Àird na Bà is a striking landscape feature located in Ross-shire, in the Highlands of Scotland. Translated from Gaelic as "the Point of the Cattle," Àird na Bà is a rugged headland that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views and a unique geological makeup.

At approximately 400 feet high, Àird na Bà boasts steep cliffs that provide a dramatic backdrop against the crashing waves below. These cliffs are composed of Torridonian sandstone, a rock formation known for its distinctive red coloration and horizontal layers. Over millions of years, erosion from wind and water has carved out impressive caves and natural arches within the cliffs, adding to the allure of the landscape.

Located near the village of Applecross, Àird na Bà is accessible by a narrow road known as the Bealach na Bà, which winds its way through the rugged terrain. The road, often considered one of the most challenging in Scotland, offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and sea as it ascends to a summit of 2,054 feet.

The headland itself is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, who can explore the area on foot and take in the panoramic vistas. The diverse flora and fauna found at Àird na Bà include seabirds such as fulmars and kittiwakes, as well as heather, gorse, and other coastal plants.

With its dramatic cliffs, stunning views, and unique geological formations, Àird na Bà is a captivating landscape feature that showcases the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

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Àird na Bà Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.100536/-6.5595867 or Grid Reference NB3121. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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

Ralph Greig

Kinloch Parish Kirk

Belonging to the Church of Scotland.

Anne Burgess

Kinloch Church (Free Church of Scotland)

An active church.

David Bremner

Track, Druim nan Uan, Isle of Lewis

The track extends further than currently shown on the OS 1:25,000 map (as viewed on OS maps 27/12/16).

Claire Pegrum

Balallan/Laxay Agricultural Show

Alan Reid

A859 skirting Loch Bhaltois

Alan Reid

Houses near Mircill Glas, Baile Ailein

Ian S

Loch Bhaltois, taken from the A859

Ian S

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!

Stephen Branley

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).

Anne Burgess

Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica)

A common plant of wet, boggy places, Lousewort thrives in the acid peat of Leòdhas.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

Wrecked Car

This one hasn't been here for long enough to become rusted through, so in spite of the good work of the local authority in removing hundreds of eyesores all over the islands, it still seems to be the thing to abandon old cars and then use them for target practice. The slight elevation on the left is Cnoc na Buaile, meaning 'rock of the cattle fold', and the matching one to the left is Druim Bioraig, whose meaning I don't know.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

Looking towards RÃ²ineabhal

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!

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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Àird na Bà is located at Grid Ref: NB3121 (Lat: 58.100536, Lng: -6.5595867)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands