Eilean Buidhe

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Eilean Buidhe

Loch a' Bharpa Photo taken with the heather in bloom around the loch from below the power lines that run parallel to the A867 road. South of the road is the burial cairn of Barpa Langass. — Loch a' Bharpa Credit: Alan Pickup

Eilean Buidhe is a small island located in Inverness-shire, Scotland. The island is situated in Loch Maree, a freshwater loch in the northwest Highlands of Scotland. Eilean Buidhe is known for its picturesque surroundings, with the rugged mountains and forests of the Scottish Highlands providing a stunning backdrop.

The island is uninhabited and is primarily covered in dense vegetation, including heather, grasses, and shrubs. Wildlife is abundant on the island, with a variety of bird species, including eagles, herons, and ospreys, making their home there. The waters surrounding Eilean Buidhe are also teeming with fish, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.

Visitors to Eilean Buidhe can access the island by boat, allowing them to explore the pristine wilderness and enjoy the tranquility of the loch. The island is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who come to hike, fish, and birdwatch in the unspoiled natural surroundings.

Overall, Eilean Buidhe is a hidden gem in the Highlands of Scotland, offering visitors a peaceful retreat in the midst of stunning natural beauty.

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Eilean Buidhe Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.586348/-7.2843679 or Grid Reference NF8467. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Loch a' Bharpa

Photo taken with the heather in bloom around the loch from below the power lines that run parallel to the A867 road. South of the road is the burial cairn of Barpa Langass.

Alan Pickup

The start of the path to Barpa Langass chambered cairn

This is a Neolithic chambered cairn. It diameter is about 22 metres by 5.5 metres high, and is around 5,000 years old. Unfortunately there has been a recent collapse and entry (although possible) is no longer approved.

Gordon Brown

Barpa Langass chambered cairn

Gordon Brown

The A867

Notice the remains of the old single-track road on the right.

Gordon Brown

Entrance to Barpa Langass in 1986

No restrictions on access to the chambered cairn in 1986 - so a return trip recently greatly disappointed as access to the interior is barred. In 1986 I remember no car park or "Interpretation Board" except the small board beside the entrance. According to the Canmore website Barpa Langass, 3rd millennium bc The tumulus of some eminent warrior, or perhaps of a Neolithic tribe, this is one of the best survivals of a barpa or massive chambered cairn of the passage-grave type. Prominent on the hillside, the circular mound of stones conceals the only known intact megalithic chamber in the Western Isles.

Julian Paren

Possible long cairn at Airigh Na Gaoithe

A long mound of stones on the highest point of Airigh Na Gaoithe may be the site of a Neolithic long cairn, although it has also been suggested that it may represent the remains of sheilings. Link

Sandy Gerrard

Airigh na Gaoithe stone row

Three stones forming part of the stone row (Scale 1m). Link

Sandy Gerrard

The North Uist dual carriageway?

The view is from the old road across the island with the new road to the left. Single track has been abandoned in favour of a well engineered double width road which leads from Lochmaddy to Clachan before normal service is resumed.

Gordon Hatton

The work of a craftsman

A very neatly cut area of peat. Note the string for a straight line and the square cut peat 'bricks'. All the work of someone who likes a job well done - maybe a 'geograph' contributor?

Gordon Hatton

Loch na Moracha

One of the many irregularly shaped lochs that cover much of the interior of North Uist, which seems to be more water than land.

Gordon Hatton

Wheelbarrow parking area

Wheelbarrows on the thin strip of ground between the old and new roads across North Uist. This is an area much used for peat cutting - thus the turf 'bricks' in the foreground.

Gordon Hatton

Statue of Hercules in Langass Wood

Hercules, a grizzly bear, gained international stardom when going missing for 24 days after escaping while filming a television commercial on Benbecula in 1980. He was found on North Uist. He died in 2001 aged 25 and a statue was erected in his memory.

Alan Pickup

Barpa Langass chambered cairn

An impressive cairn with surviving chamber which is no longer safe to enter (Scale 1m). Link

Sandy Gerrard

Barpa Langais - Chambered Tomb

Neolithic chambered cairn with a diameter about 22 metres and height 5.5 metres. The cairn is around 5,000 years old. Unfortunately there has been a recent collapse and entry is no longer approved. North Uist estate and Access Archaeology were when this image was taken exploring options for repairs. Link

Steve Houldsworth

Hercules the Grizzly Bear Statue

While filming for a Kleenex television commercial on Benbecula on 20 August 1980, Hercules escaped and went missing for 24 days. Search parties looked for Hercules for three days before calling off the search. On 13 September, a crofter spotted Hercules swimming; he was shot with a tranquilliser dart, netted, and flown back to his handler The story quickly made Hercules a celebrity around the world.

Steve Houldsworth