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An Dubh-sgeir

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

An Dubh-sgeir

Na Crogachan Ice-smoothed rocks at the northern tip of the Isle of Gigha.
Na Crogachan Credit: Anne Burgess

An Dubh-sgeir is a small uninhabited island located off the west coast of Scotland in Argyllshire. It is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago and lies in the Sound of Islay, between the islands of Islay and Jura. With an area of approximately 13.5 acres, An Dubh-sgeir is a rocky and jagged island characterized by its rugged cliffs and stunning coastal scenery.

The name "An Dubh-sgeir" translates to "The Black Rock" in Gaelic, which accurately describes the island's dark-colored rock formations. These rocks are a result of ancient volcanic activity and provide a stark contrast against the turquoise waters surrounding the island.

Despite its small size, An Dubh-sgeir is known for its rich and diverse wildlife. The surrounding waters are home to various species of marine life, including seals, dolphins, and numerous seabirds such as guillemots and puffins. The island's cliffs also serve as nesting sites for seabirds, creating a bustling ecosystem.

Due to its remote and inaccessible location, An Dubh-sgeir is rarely visited by humans. However, it is occasionally explored by adventurous hikers and wildlife enthusiasts who are drawn to its untouched natural beauty. The island offers breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and provides a tranquil escape from the bustling mainland.

Overall, An Dubh-sgeir is a small but captivating island off the coast of Argyllshire, offering visitors a chance to experience the ruggedness and serenity of Scotland's west coast.

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An Dubh-sgeir Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.737725/-5.7211393 or Grid Reference NR6655. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Na Crogachan Ice-smoothed rocks at the northern tip of the Isle of Gigha.
Na Crogachan
Ice-smoothed rocks at the northern tip of the Isle of Gigha.
Port Righ A sandy cove at the north end of the Isle of Gigha. The name means King's Port, the same as the town of Portree on the Isle of Skye.
Port Righ
A sandy cove at the north end of the Isle of Gigha. The name means King's Port, the same as the town of Portree on the Isle of Skye.
Cnoc nan Gobhar Wet bracken on the slope of Cnoc nan Gobhar, near the north end of the Isle of Gigha.
Cnoc nan Gobhar
Wet bracken on the slope of Cnoc nan Gobhar, near the north end of the Isle of Gigha.
Roadside Dyke On a pleasant day it would be tempting to take a walk to the shore of Bàgh Rubha Ruaidh, of which there is just a glimpse over the top of the dyke.
Roadside Dyke
On a pleasant day it would be tempting to take a walk to the shore of Bàgh Rubha Ruaidh, of which there is just a glimpse over the top of the dyke.
Mooring yacht at Bagh na Doirlinne
Mooring yacht at Bagh na Doirlinne
Bagh na Doirlinne
Bagh na Doirlinne
Bagh na Doirlinne and Bagh Rubha Ruaidh Gigha. Panoramic shot of the twin beaches taken from Eilean Garbh with Doirlinne to the left and Rubha Ruaidh to the right.
Bagh na Doirlinne and Bagh Rubha Ruaidh
Gigha. Panoramic shot of the twin beaches taken from Eilean Garbh with Doirlinne to the left and Rubha Ruaidh to the right.
Beach at East End of Bagh na Doirlinne One of the many white sanded beaches of Gigha.
Beach at East End of Bagh na Doirlinne
One of the many white sanded beaches of Gigha.
Port Righ, Isle of Gigha A small bay at the very north of the island.
Port Righ, Isle of Gigha
A small bay at the very north of the island.
End of the track, northern tip of Gigha This track is a continuation of the made-up road which runs the length of the island. The concrete structure at the end is the remains of a short-lived ferry slipway - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1291351">NR6654 : "Danger - Unstable Surface"</a> .
End of the track, northern tip of Gigha
This track is a continuation of the made-up road which runs the length of the island. The concrete structure at the end is the remains of a short-lived ferry slipway - see NR6654 : "Danger - Unstable Surface" .
Parking area and track, top end of Gigha This track is a continuation of the made-up road which runs the length of the island.
Parking area and track, top end of Gigha
This track is a continuation of the made-up road which runs the length of the island.
Road At Cnoc nan Gobhar Approaching the very northern end of the road on Gigha.
Road At Cnoc nan Gobhar
Approaching the very northern end of the road on Gigha.
Ruined Building A derelict small building at the north end of Gigha.
Ruined Building
A derelict small building at the north end of Gigha.
On The Rocks Lichen encrusted shelving rock at the north end of Gigha.
On The Rocks
Lichen encrusted shelving rock at the north end of Gigha.
Remains Of Western Ferries Linkspan Opened in September 1970 and washed away during a storm in January 1972, this and some rusting hooks and mounts embedded in nearby rocks are all that remains of the linkspan used when Western Ferries served Gigha. According to Western Ferries (Facebook posting, 15 June 2020), the linkspan was recovered and towed to Kennacraig at the time and remained stored there, evidently for decades "until CMAL [Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd] did their most recent renovations." Roy Pedersen's book 'Western Ferries: Taking On Giants' notes that the MV Sound of Jura would call here en route between Kennacraig and Port Askaig. It featured 'John Rose's newly-patented linkspan' but the terminal 'lacked the kind of protection and aligning structure that would have been desirable'. The BBC documentary 'Look Stranger' (1971) features footage of the terminal around 18 minutes in - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pz7cc/look-stranger-1-gigha-and-rhum" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pz7cc/look-stranger-1-gigha-and-rhum">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>
Remains Of Western Ferries Linkspan
Opened in September 1970 and washed away during a storm in January 1972, this and some rusting hooks and mounts embedded in nearby rocks are all that remains of the linkspan used when Western Ferries served Gigha. According to Western Ferries (Facebook posting, 15 June 2020), the linkspan was recovered and towed to Kennacraig at the time and remained stored there, evidently for decades "until CMAL [Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd] did their most recent renovations." Roy Pedersen's book 'Western Ferries: Taking On Giants' notes that the MV Sound of Jura would call here en route between Kennacraig and Port Askaig. It featured 'John Rose's newly-patented linkspan' but the terminal 'lacked the kind of protection and aligning structure that would have been desirable'. The BBC documentary 'Look Stranger' (1971) features footage of the terminal around 18 minutes in - see LinkExternal link
Remains Of Western Ferries Linkspan - Alternative View An alternative view of the concrete structure believed to be the remains of a linkspan.
Remains Of Western Ferries Linkspan - Alternative View
An alternative view of the concrete structure believed to be the remains of a linkspan.
Rusting Remains An anchor point of some sort, probably connected with the former Western Ferries linkspan washed away in a storm in January 1972.
Rusting Remains
An anchor point of some sort, probably connected with the former Western Ferries linkspan washed away in a storm in January 1972.
One End Of The Rainbow A rainbow forming over the sea between Gigha and Islay.
One End Of The Rainbow
A rainbow forming over the sea between Gigha and Islay.
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An Dubh-sgeir is located at Grid Ref: NR6655 (Lat: 55.737725, Lng: -5.7211393)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///airliners.diary.eyepieces. Near Craighouse, Argyll & Bute

Nearby Locations

Coire nan Dubh-sgeir Rock Na Dubh-sgeireagan An Dubh-sgeir

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