Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire

Descending Creag BhÃ n The descent of Creag Bhàn offers a fine view over the south and west of the Isle of Gigha, and a distant Islay. In this view, Ardailly can be noted, with the covered Gigha service reservoir below. Mill Loch and High Loch can be noted to the left in the near and far distance, respectively.

This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21. — Descending Creag BhÃ n Credit: James T M Towill

Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire is a small island located in Argyllshire, Scotland. Situated off the western coast of the mainland, it is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago. With a total area of approximately 100 hectares, the island is characterized by its rugged landscape, with rocky cliffs and rolling hills dominating the scenery.

The name Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire translates to "archipelago of the big caves" in Scottish Gaelic. This name reflects the geological significance of the island, as it is home to several large sea caves that have been formed through years of erosion by the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The island is uninhabited, with no permanent residents. However, it attracts a small number of visitors each year who come to explore its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire is known for its rich bird population, with species such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills nesting along the towering cliffs. Seal colonies can also be spotted lounging on the rocky shores.

Access to the island is predominantly by boat, with a few tour operators offering trips for visitors. The surrounding waters are popular among kayakers and divers, who are drawn to the abundance of marine life and the opportunity to explore the sea caves.

Overall, Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire is a remote and picturesque island, offering a unique and untouched natural environment for those seeking a tranquil and adventurous experience in the Scottish wilderness.

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Acairseid na h-Uamhaidh Mòire Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.683398/-5.7663939 or Grid Reference NR6349. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Descending Creag BhÃ n

The descent of Creag Bhàn offers a fine view over the south and west of the Isle of Gigha, and a distant Islay. In this view, Ardailly can be noted, with the covered Gigha service reservoir below. Mill Loch and High Loch can be noted to the left in the near and far distance, respectively. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

James T M Towill

Ardailly Mill and miller's cottage

At the far end of a long and winding track on the Isle of Gigha stands Ardailly Mill. It's in an idyllic spot on Gigha's remote west shore, looking out to the neighbouring islands of Islay and Jura. In this photograph it is seen with building works under way, transforming the old millers cottage into someone's dream house.....

David Hoult

Grassland near Ardailly

Looking towards the west coast of Gigha and beyond to the Paps of Jura. Just visible (towards the left) are the gables of the ruined old water mill at Port An Duin, which dates from the 18th century.

Richard Sutcliffe

Looking towards the Paps of Jura

From near Ardailly on the west coast of Gigha.

Richard Sutcliffe

Approaching Rain at Creag Bhan, Gigha

Becky Williamson

Gigha trig point at Creag Bhan

Johnny Durnan

North east view from Gigha trig point

Johnny Durnan

East view from Gigha trig point

Johnny Durnan

North view from Gigha trig point

Johnny Durnan

West view from Gigha trig point

Johnny Durnan

Summit of Creag Bhan

The toposcope or topograph on the summit of Creag Bhan the highest point on Gigha

Tom Richardson

Meadowsweet view

A view across boggy ground towards the coast which includes a luxuriant growth of wet-loving plants such as Meadowsweet, Loosestrife and Iris. I had difficulty in identifying the dun which is labelled on the map, but the profile of Islay on the skyline made up for it.

Jonathan Wilkins

Coastal rock outcrops

The shore of the small inlet of Garbh Phort comprises sheared metasedimentary rocks belonging to the Dalradian intruded by a thick dyke of Palaeogene basalt. The dykes are associated with the extensive volcanism which is characteristic of Mull, and the Hebrides.

Jonathan Wilkins

Ardailly view

A view from Creag Bhan of the farm at Ardailly with the Mill Loch appearing at the left of the image.

Jonathan Wilkins

Creag Bhan rocks and trig

The summit of Creag Bhan is a magnificently ice-moulded landscape surmounted by a cairn and triangulation pillar. That the hill survives this obvious abrasion is a surprise, since the surrounding rocks are obviously much lower. The reason is that the hill comprises a massive body of amphibolite, a relic of basaltic magmatism that affected the sedimentary succession long before the Caledoniam metamorphism which produced the classic Dalradian metasediments. Most of the prominent ridges and hills on the island have the same origin, including Eilean Garbh NR6554 which can be seen in the near distance.

Jonathan Wilkins

Sheared outcrop

Rock strata on the coast comprise metasedimentary rocks belonging to the Dalradian. These have not only suffered metamorphism due to heat and pressure compacting the rocks and generating schist, but intense shearing movement which has created an almost slatey texture. This is not a hospitable environment for exploration!

Jonathan Wilkins

Rock sculpture garden

The slatey outcrops of the Dalradian metasediments have eroded very deeply to create exceptionally delicate projections. These cannot have originated during the abrasive action of glaciers passing through, so must instead be periglacial (eroded by frost action in the absence of glacier cover) or more modern in origin. Sometimes there are even neat holes right through the projecting plates. This is a remarkable and delicate landscape.

Jonathan Wilkins