Eilean nan Uan

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

Eilean nan Uan

New house at Cloiche Farm Built in a typical Tiree style with pitch roofs the house has all modern conveniences, including a poly-tunnel and solar panels.
New house at Cloiche Farm Credit: Alpin Stewart

Eilean nan Uan, also known as the Island of Seals, is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Argyllshire in Scotland. Situated in the Sound of Luing, it lies approximately 16 kilometers southwest of Oban. The island measures about 1 kilometer in length and is characterized by rugged and rocky terrain.

The name "Eilean nan Uan" translates to "Island of Seals" in Scottish Gaelic, which is a fitting name as the island is known for its abundant seal population. The rocky shores and surrounding waters provide an ideal habitat for seals, and visitors to the island often have the opportunity to observe these playful creatures.

Aside from its wildlife, Eilean nan Uan is primarily visited for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. The island offers stunning views of the surrounding sea and the nearby Isle of Luing. Its rocky landscape is dotted with heather and grasses, creating a picturesque setting.

Access to Eilean nan Uan is usually by private boat or by joining a guided tour. Visitors are advised to check tide times and weather conditions before planning a trip, as the island can be challenging to navigate during adverse conditions. The island is uninhabited, with no facilities or accommodations available, so day trips are the most common way to experience its natural beauty.

Eilean nan Uan is a hidden gem in Argyllshire, offering a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Its untouched beauty and abundance of seals make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique and tranquil experience in the Scottish Highlands.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Eilean nan Uan Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.681905/-6.50751 or Grid Reference NM2463. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

New house at Cloiche Farm Built in a typical Tiree style with pitch roofs the house has all modern conveniences, including a poly-tunnel and solar panels.
New house at Cloiche Farm
Built in a typical Tiree style with pitch roofs the house has all modern conveniences, including a poly-tunnel and solar panels.
Rough croft land south of Struan, Isle of Coll
Rough croft land south of Struan, Isle of Coll
A' Chròic A short scramble is required to gain this rocky summit.

Name: A' Chròic
Hill number: 10525
Height: 43m / 141ft
Parent (Ma/M): none
Area: 17F: Coll and Tiree
Class: 0
Grid ref: NM 22957 62779
Summit feature: rock outcrop
Drop: 30m
Col: 13m  NM229626
A' Chròic
A short scramble is required to gain this rocky summit. Name: A' Chròic Hill number: 10525 Height: 43m / 141ft Parent (Ma/M): none Area: 17F: Coll and Tiree Class: 0 Grid ref: NM 22957 62779 Summit feature: rock outcrop Drop: 30m Col: 13m NM229626
Beart an Fhir Eighth TuMP of the day with Iain Brown and Martin Richardson.

Name: Beart an Fhir
Hill number: 10509
Height: 56m / 184ft
Parent (Ma/M): none
Area: 17F: Coll and Tiree
Class: 0
Grid ref: NM 24756 62699
Summit feature: grassy outcrop
Drop: 30m
Col: 26m  NM255622
Beart an Fhir
Eighth TuMP of the day with Iain Brown and Martin Richardson. Name: Beart an Fhir Hill number: 10509 Height: 56m / 184ft Parent (Ma/M): none Area: 17F: Coll and Tiree Class: 0 Grid ref: NM 24756 62699 Summit feature: grassy outcrop Drop: 30m Col: 26m NM255622
Isle of Coll: sunset over Tràigh Gharbh Below us, a substantial but apparently unnamed stream winds its way into the sea at an impressive sandy beach.
Isle of Coll: sunset over Tràigh Gharbh
Below us, a substantial but apparently unnamed stream winds its way into the sea at an impressive sandy beach.
Isle of Coll: an unnamed stream reaches the sea Looking along the final stretch of an unnamed but fairly substantial river as it nears its journey's end.
Isle of Coll: an unnamed stream reaches the sea
Looking along the final stretch of an unnamed but fairly substantial river as it nears its journey's end.
Isle of Coll: dual carriageway on the B8072 A small section of 'dual carriageway' on this narrow road with passing places heading to the north of the island. The back of the corresponding sign for oncoming traffic can also be seen.
Isle of Coll: dual carriageway on the B8072
A small section of 'dual carriageway' on this narrow road with passing places heading to the north of the island. The back of the corresponding sign for oncoming traffic can also be seen.
Isle of Coll: hold-up on the B8072 Not a delay which featured on the radio traffic updates. These cows would slowly - very slowly! - make their way along the road on encountering my car, rather than to one side. On turning the corner here I could see the more distant ones too and therefore realised the going would not be quick for now.
Isle of Coll: hold-up on the B8072
Not a delay which featured on the radio traffic updates. These cows would slowly - very slowly! - make their way along the road on encountering my car, rather than to one side. On turning the corner here I could see the more distant ones too and therefore realised the going would not be quick for now.
Isle of Coll: Bousd Two of the three properties on a little track off the B8072 at the north end of Coll.
Isle of Coll: Bousd
Two of the three properties on a little track off the B8072 at the north end of Coll.
Isle of Coll: postbox № PA78 104, Bousd This little George-V postbox is set into a brick pillar at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4109935">NM2563 : Isle of Coll: Bousd</a> and serves the properties here along with the scattering of others in the surrounding area of northern Coll.

It has nonstandard collection times - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4109951">NM2563 : Isle of Coll: collection plate on the postbox at Bousd</a>.
Isle of Coll: postbox № PA78 104, Bousd
This little George-V postbox is set into a brick pillar at NM2563 : Isle of Coll: Bousd and serves the properties here along with the scattering of others in the surrounding area of northern Coll. It has nonstandard collection times - see NM2563 : Isle of Coll: collection plate on the postbox at Bousd.
Isle of Coll: collection plate on the postbox at Bousd A very old style of collection plate is still in use on this small, remote postbox (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4109944">NM2563 : Isle of Coll: postbox № PA78 104, Bousd</a>).

The times are nonstandard - 8:15 on Monday and Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and 7:30 on Friday mornings. Presumably the ferry timetables for Tuesdays and Saturdays are such that no post collected would leave the island until the following day anyway.
Isle of Coll: collection plate on the postbox at Bousd
A very old style of collection plate is still in use on this small, remote postbox (NM2563 : Isle of Coll: postbox № PA78 104, Bousd). The times are nonstandard - 8:15 on Monday and Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and 7:30 on Friday mornings. Presumably the ferry timetables for Tuesdays and Saturdays are such that no post collected would leave the island until the following day anyway.
Wet and boggy area North of Loch na Cloiche
Wet and boggy area North of Loch na Cloiche
Rocky inlet below A' Chroic, Isle of Coll
Rocky inlet below A' Chroic, Isle of Coll
Bay and islands north of Cloiche, Isle of Coll
Bay and islands north of Cloiche, Isle of Coll
Jetty at Cornaig Bay, Isle of Coll
Jetty at Cornaig Bay, Isle of Coll
Dwelling-house at Bousd, Isle of Coll I suspect that this house may once have served as a school and schoolhouse.
Dwelling-house at Bousd, Isle of Coll
I suspect that this house may once have served as a school and schoolhouse.
Tidal inlet, Tràigh Thorastain Outflow of a burn through dunes.
Tidal inlet, Tràigh Thorastain
Outflow of a burn through dunes.
Struan, Coll Cottage in the north of the island.
Struan, Coll
Cottage in the north of the island.
Show me another place!

Eilean nan Uan is located at Grid Ref: NM2463 (Lat: 56.681905, Lng: -6.50751)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///hindered.describes.kind. Near Arinagour, Argyll & Bute

Related Wikis

Dùn Morbhaidh

Dùn Morbhaidh, also known as Dun Borbaidh, is a hill fort located on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. The early 20th century antiquary Erskine Beveridge...

Cairns of Coll

The Cairns of Coll refers primarily to a region of rocky outcrops in shallow waters extending from the north end of the Island of Coll in the Inner Hebrides...

Coll

Coll (; Scottish Gaelic: Cola; Scots: Coll) is an island located west of the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy...

Dùn Dubh

Dùn Dubh is a hillfort, located on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. The fort is one of three associated with a local tradition which states that they...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.681905,-6.50751
Natural: rock
Source: OS7
Tidal: yes
Lat/Long: 56.6837452/-6.507925
An t-Inbhire
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 56.6802705/-6.5068745
Eilean nan Uan
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 56.6819736/-6.5076094
Sloc na Luinge
Natural: strait
Lat/Long: 56.6834514/-6.5059756
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Eilean nan Uan?

Leave your review of Eilean nan Uan below (or comments, questions and feedback).