Eilean Beag

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Eilean Beag

Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha Abandoned lobster loading hardstandings at the lobster pond.
Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha Credit: Gus Macdonald

Eilean Beag is a small island located in Ross-shire, Scotland. It is situated off the northwestern coast of the Scottish mainland, near the village of Gairloch. The island is part of the Inner Hebrides, a group of islands known for their stunning beauty and rugged landscapes.

With an area of only 1.5 hectares, Eilean Beag is a tiny island surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Inner Sound. It is characterized by its rocky shoreline, low-lying vegetation, and a single, prominent rocky outcrop at its center. The island is uninhabited and lacks any permanent structures or human settlements.

Despite its small size and lack of human activity, Eilean Beag is home to a variety of wildlife. Seabirds such as gulls, cormorants, and shags can be found nesting on the island's cliffs and rocks. The surrounding waters are also rich in marine life, including seals, dolphins, and porpoises, which can sometimes be spotted from the island's shores.

Eilean Beag is a popular destination for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers due to its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. The island offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline and the nearby mountains of Wester Ross. Access to the island is possible via boat or kayak, and visitors are advised to respect the fragile ecosystem and wildlife by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

In summary, Eilean Beag is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Ross-shire, Scotland. With its rugged coastline, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking views, it is a must-visit destination for those seeking a tranquil and picturesque natural setting.

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Eilean Beag Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.239286/-6.8200979 or Grid Reference NB1737. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha Abandoned lobster loading hardstandings at the lobster pond.
Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha
Abandoned lobster loading hardstandings at the lobster pond.
War Memorial, Breacleit The memorial stands on a mound at the crossroads in the centre of Breacleit / Breaclete, the capital of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. On the skyline is the Bernera Community Centre.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.uigandbernera.com/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.uigandbernera.com/">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>
War Memorial, Breacleit
The memorial stands on a mound at the crossroads in the centre of Breacleit / Breaclete, the capital of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. On the skyline is the Bernera Community Centre. LinkExternal link
Breacleit, Bernera Summer flowers, church and school in the village centre.
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Breacleit, Bernera
Summer flowers, church and school in the village centre. LinkExternal link
Loch Ruig Sanndabhat Small and reedy freshwater loch below the slopes of Beinn Breacleit, Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh.
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Loch Ruig Sanndabhat
Small and reedy freshwater loch below the slopes of Beinn Breacleit, Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. LinkExternal link
Crofters' Memorial Cairn, Great Bernera Erected in memory of April 1874 when local crofters marched to Lews Castle in Stornoway. They were protesting to Sir James Matheson that they had received eviction notices after using the moorland for centuries. The gentry wanted to use it for leisure / sport.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.uigandbernera.com/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.uigandbernera.com/">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>
Crofters' Memorial Cairn, Great Bernera
Erected in memory of April 1874 when local crofters marched to Lews Castle in Stornoway. They were protesting to Sir James Matheson that they had received eviction notices after using the moorland for centuries. The gentry wanted to use it for leisure / sport. LinkExternal link
Lochan Below Beinn Breacleit Reedy lochan with rocky hillside, south-east of the Crofters' Memorial on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh.
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Lochan Below Beinn Breacleit
Reedy lochan with rocky hillside, south-east of the Crofters' Memorial on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. LinkExternal link
Breacleit church and war memorial Breacleit (or Breaclete) is the largest settlement on Great Bernera, an island off the west coast of Lewis attached to that larger island by a bridge. The little church seen here looks to date from the late C19th or early C20th. To its right can be seen the Bernera War Memorial <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=323" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=323">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> 
Behind the church can be seen a little of Loch Breacleit.
Breacleit church and war memorial
Breacleit (or Breaclete) is the largest settlement on Great Bernera, an island off the west coast of Lewis attached to that larger island by a bridge. The little church seen here looks to date from the late C19th or early C20th. To its right can be seen the Bernera War Memorial LinkExternal link Behind the church can be seen a little of Loch Breacleit.
The road to Tacleit For anyone who enjoys driving, this is rather a wonderful sight - a well-maintained twisty lane through open countryside with wonderful views.
The lane leads to the settlement of Tacleit from the village of Breacleit on Great Bernera.
The road to Tacleit
For anyone who enjoys driving, this is rather a wonderful sight - a well-maintained twisty lane through open countryside with wonderful views. The lane leads to the settlement of Tacleit from the village of Breacleit on Great Bernera.
View to the mountains of Harris The massive bulk of the mountains of North Harris command the view southwest from Breacleit on Great Bernera.
View to the mountains of Harris
The massive bulk of the mountains of North Harris command the view southwest from Breacleit on Great Bernera.
Road into Breacleit from Bostadh
Road into Breacleit from Bostadh
View across Loch Geal towards Breacleit
View across Loch Geal towards Breacleit
Breacleit explosion sunset
Breacleit explosion sunset
Church Of Scotland, Lochs In Bernera
Church Of Scotland, Lochs In Bernera
Burial ground at Tolsta Carloway
Burial ground at Tolsta Carloway
The settlement at Breacleit An important settlement on Great Bernera/Bearnaraigh, includes a school and fire station.
The settlement at Breacleit
An important settlement on Great Bernera/Bearnaraigh, includes a school and fire station.
Monument commemorating the 1874 Bernera riots  A full description of the riot can be found here: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.virtualheb.co.uk/bernera-riot-western-isles/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.virtualheb.co.uk/bernera-riot-western-isles/">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> and a close-up of the plaque here: <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1964968">NB1537 : The inscription on the Bernera Cairn</a>.
Monument commemorating the 1874 Bernera riots
A full description of the riot can be found here: LinkExternal link and a close-up of the plaque here: NB1537 : The inscription on the Bernera Cairn.
The road to Bostadh Viewed from the Bernera Riot Monument.
The road to Bostadh
Viewed from the Bernera Riot Monument.
On the cattle grid by Cnoc na Crich
On the cattle grid by Cnoc na Crich
Show me another place!

Eilean Beag is located at Grid Ref: NB1737 (Lat: 58.239286, Lng: -6.8200979)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///blaring.smuggled.skim. Near Carloway, Na h-Eileanan Siar

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