Sgarbhstac

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Sgarbhstac

Boreray and Sea Stacks, St Kilda Archipelago A view of the island of Boreray (Boraraigh), the large island to the northeast of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago. The two large sea stacks to the west of the island are Stac Lee and Stac an Armin.
Boreray and Sea Stacks, St Kilda Archipelago Credit: David Dixon

Sgarbhstac is a small uninhabited island located off the northwest coast of Scotland, in the county of Inverness-shire. It is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago and lies within the Sound of Harris. The island covers an area of approximately 0.4 square kilometers and is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain.

The name Sgarbhstac translates from Gaelic as "stack of cormorants," a fitting name as the island is known to be a nesting site for these sea birds. The cliffs and crags of Sgarbhstac provide a suitable habitat for cormorants and other seabirds, making it an important site for wildlife conservation.

Access to Sgarbhstac is limited and challenging as the island lacks any form of permanent landing facility. The surrounding waters are treacherous, with strong currents and rocky shores, making it unsafe for most boats to approach. However, the island can be admired from a distance during boat trips or from viewpoints on the mainland.

Sgarbhstac is part of a larger marine reserve, and its isolation helps preserve the natural beauty and ecological significance of the area. Visitors interested in birdwatching or studying marine wildlife may find Sgarbhstac to be a fascinating destination, but it is important to respect the island's fragile ecosystem and adhere to any conservation guidelines.

Overall, Sgarbhstac is a remote and unspoiled island in Inverness-shire, offering a glimpse into the wild and untamed beauty of the Scottish coast.

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Sgarbhstac Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.863475/-8.4916824 or Grid Reference NA1504. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Boreray and Sea Stacks, St Kilda Archipelago A view of the island of Boreray (Boraraigh), the large island to the northeast of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago. The two large sea stacks to the west of the island are Stac Lee and Stac an Armin.
Boreray and Sea Stacks, St Kilda Archipelago
A view of the island of Boreray (Boraraigh), the large island to the northeast of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago. The two large sea stacks to the west of the island are Stac Lee and Stac an Armin.
Stac Lee Stac Lee (Scottish Gaelic: Stac Lì) is a sea stack in the  St Kilda archipelago. It is around 550 metres west of the west cape of the island of Boreray. Stac Lee is home to part of what is reputed to be the world's largest colony of northern gannet.
Stac Lee
Stac Lee (Scottish Gaelic: Stac Lì) is a sea stack in the St Kilda archipelago. It is around 550 metres west of the west cape of the island of Boreray. Stac Lee is home to part of what is reputed to be the world's largest colony of northern gannet.
St Kilda, Stac an Armim and Stac Lee Stac an Armin (Scottish Gaelic: Stac an Àrmainn) is a sea stack in the St Kilda archipelago, approximately 400 metres (¼ mile) north of Boreray. It is 196 metres (643 ft.) tall, qualifying it as the highest sea stack in Scotland and the British Isles (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/apr/16/leadersandreply.mainsection2" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/apr/16/leadersandreply.mainsection2">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> The Guardian). The name Stac an Armin means stack of the soldier/warrior, and evidence remains to show that it was used by people living nearby as a hunting ground although it is not believed to have been inhabited year-round.

Another sea stack, Stac Lee (Scottish Gaelic: Stac Lì) can be seen beyond Stac an Armin. It is around 550 metres west of the west cape of the island of Boreray and is home to part of what is reputed to be the world's largest colony of northern gannet.
St Kilda, Stac an Armim and Stac Lee
Stac an Armin (Scottish Gaelic: Stac an Àrmainn) is a sea stack in the St Kilda archipelago, approximately 400 metres (¼ mile) north of Boreray. It is 196 metres (643 ft.) tall, qualifying it as the highest sea stack in Scotland and the British Isles (LinkExternal link The Guardian). The name Stac an Armin means stack of the soldier/warrior, and evidence remains to show that it was used by people living nearby as a hunting ground although it is not believed to have been inhabited year-round. Another sea stack, Stac Lee (Scottish Gaelic: Stac Lì) can be seen beyond Stac an Armin. It is around 550 metres west of the west cape of the island of Boreray and is home to part of what is reputed to be the world's largest colony of northern gannet.
St Kilda, Boreray Boreray (Scottish Gaelic: Boraraigh) is an uninhabited island in the St Kilda archipelago.
St Kilda, Boreray
Boreray (Scottish Gaelic: Boraraigh) is an uninhabited island in the St Kilda archipelago.
Boreray (Boraraigh), St Kilda The southern end of Boreray (Scottish Gaelic: Boraraigh), an uninhabited island in the St Kilda archipelago. Boreray is the smallest of the Scottish islands to have a summit of over 1,000 feet (300 metres).
Boreray (Boraraigh), St Kilda
The southern end of Boreray (Scottish Gaelic: Boraraigh), an uninhabited island in the St Kilda archipelago. Boreray is the smallest of the Scottish islands to have a summit of over 1,000 feet (300 metres).
St Kilda - Sgarbhstac Sgarbhstac is a small islet or skerry off the southwestern coast of Boreray in the St Kilda archipelago. It rises to c. 70' (just over 20m)  above mean sea level with an area of about one acre (0.4ha).
Its name derives from the Gaelic for Cormorant (Sgarbh); the bird seen bottom right however is a Gannet (Gaelic: Sùlaire).
St Kilda - Sgarbhstac
Sgarbhstac is a small islet or skerry off the southwestern coast of Boreray in the St Kilda archipelago. It rises to c. 70' (just over 20m) above mean sea level with an area of about one acre (0.4ha). Its name derives from the Gaelic for Cormorant (Sgarbh); the bird seen bottom right however is a Gannet (Gaelic: Sùlaire).
Stac Lee, St Kilda Boreray just showing beyond.
Stac Lee, St Kilda
Boreray just showing beyond.
The cliffs and slopes of Boreray
The cliffs and slopes of Boreray
Stac an Armin 196 metres high, rising almost straight out the sea.

Note the calm of the North Atlantic - a rare day of superb weather!
Stac an Armin
196 metres high, rising almost straight out the sea. Note the calm of the North Atlantic - a rare day of superb weather!
A St Kildan line-up Right to left we have Stac an Armin, an un-named skerry, then Boreray.
A St Kildan line-up
Right to left we have Stac an Armin, an un-named skerry, then Boreray.
The SE corner of Boreray Cliffs and more cliffs;  we can't really call it a shore, somehow?
The SE corner of Boreray
Cliffs and more cliffs; we can't really call it a shore, somehow?
Stac Lee
Stac Lee
Geo Shunadal
Geo Shunadal
Sgarbhstac
Sgarbhstac
Boreray cliffs
Boreray cliffs
On board SS Uganda approaching Stac Lee and Boreray
On board SS Uganda approaching Stac Lee and Boreray
On board SS Uganda circumnavigating Boreray and Stac an Armin
On board SS Uganda circumnavigating Boreray and Stac an Armin
On board SS Uganda - view to Stac an Armin
On board SS Uganda - view to Stac an Armin
Show me another place!

Sgarbhstac is located at Grid Ref: NA1504 (Lat: 57.863475, Lng: -8.4916824)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///screaming.loans.ranks. Near Balivanich, Na h-Eileanan Siar

Related Wikis

Boreray, St Kilda

Boreray (Scottish Gaelic: Boraraigh; Scots: Boreray) is an uninhabited island in the St Kilda archipelago in the North Atlantic. == Geography == Boreray...

Stac Lee

Stac Lee (Scottish Gaelic: Stac Lì) is a sea stack in the St Kilda group off the west coast of Scotland. An island Marilyn (a point with topographic prominence...

Stac an Armin

Stac an Armin (Scottish Gaelic: Stac an Àrmainn), based on the proper Scottish Gaelic spelling (formerly àrmuinn), is a sea stack in the St Kilda archipelago...

St Kilda, Scotland

St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is an isolated archipelago situated 64 kilometres (40 mi) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.863475,-8.4916824
Gob Scapanish
Place: locality
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 57.8637471/-8.4858604
Cleitein McPhaidein
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 57.865314/-8.4882257
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.8639514/-8.4935999
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.8629653/-8.4897296
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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