Àird Mholach

Landscape Feature in Ross-shire

Scotland

Àird Mholach

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 Mholach is a prominent landscape feature located in Ross-shire, Scotland. Situated on the rugged west coast of the country, it is a striking geographical formation that has captivated visitors for generations.

Rising majestically from the surrounding terrain, Àird Mholach is a large rocky promontory that extends into the North Atlantic Ocean. Its name translates to "Bare Promontory" in Gaelic, and it is an apt description of the exposed and barren nature of the feature. The promontory is made up of ancient Lewisian gneiss, which gives it its characteristic rugged appearance.

The landscape around Àird Mholach is characterized by steep cliffs and rocky outcrops. These cliffs provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and the vast expanse of the ocean. The area is known for its wild and untamed beauty, with crashing waves and dramatic sea stacks adding to the allure.

The wildlife in the area is abundant, with seabirds such as gannets, kittiwakes, and razorbills nesting on the cliffs. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as migratory birds often make a stopover here during their journeys.

Àird Mholach is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, photography, and nature exploration. The rocky terrain can be challenging to navigate, but the rewards are well worth it for those who venture to explore this stunning landscape feature.

In conclusion, Àird Mholach is an awe-inspiring landscape feature in Ross-shire, Scotland. With its rugged cliffs, rocky outcrops, and breathtaking views, it offers a captivating experience for all who visit.

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Àird Mholach Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.100803/-6.5521288 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

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

Laxay / Lacasaigh from the A859

Ian S

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

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.

Anne Burgess

Creag Latharbaidh

The prominent rocky feature with the bright green grass on top is Creag Latharbaidh. The Abhainn Lacasidh (Laxay River, flows round the foot of it, between the peat bogs and the crag. The masts are on the summit of Èitseal (223 metres) above Acha Mòr (Achmore) in NB3030.

Anne Burgess

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Àird Mholach is located at Grid Ref: NB3121 (Lat: 58.100803, Lng: -6.5521288)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands