Sloc an Luirin

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Argyllshire

Scotland

Sloc an Luirin

Torran Cottage On Iona. — Torran Cottage Credit: Andrew Abbott

Sloc an Luirin is a prominent coastal feature located in Argyllshire, Scotland. It is classified as a headland, or a narrow piece of land that juts out into the sea, forming a point. The name "Sloc an Luirin" translates to "the gullet of the small sea," reflecting its unique geographical formation.

Situated along the picturesque coastline, Sloc an Luirin offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The headland is characterized by steep cliffs that rise dramatically from the water, creating a stunning natural spectacle. These cliffs are composed of rugged rock formations, showcasing the area's geological diversity.

The headland also provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife species, making it an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts. Seabirds such as gannets, cormorants, and puffins can often be spotted nesting along the cliffs, while seals and dolphins occasionally visit the waters surrounding Sloc an Luirin.

In addition to its natural beauty, Sloc an Luirin holds historical significance. It is believed to have been used as a lookout point during ancient times, serving as a vantage point for monitoring the coasts and spotting potential threats. The headland's strategic location also played a role in maritime navigation, with sailors using it as a landmark for centuries.

Today, Sloc an Luirin attracts visitors from near and far who come to admire its stunning scenery and explore the surrounding coastal area. Whether it is enjoying a leisurely walk along the cliffs, birdwatching, or simply soaking in the tranquility of the Scottish coast, Sloc an Luirin offers a memorable experience for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

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Sloc an Luirin Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.311173/-6.4140478 or Grid Reference NM2721. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Torran Cottage

On Iona.

Andrew Abbott

Iona Golf Course

On the western side of the island.

Andrew Abbott

Towards Iona Golf Course

From Skerryvore.

Andrew Abbott

Gateway by Skerryvore

Leading to Iona Golf Course.

Andrew Abbott

Machair house

On Iona

Andrew Abbott

Road in Sligneach

On Iona.

Andrew Abbott

Seileastair House

On Iona.

Andrew Abbott

Sandbank on Iona

By Mary Foster Arnold Architects.

Andrew Abbott

Low springs links TrÃ igh MhÃ²r and Eilean MÃ²r

Even at high tide there's some land in this square, but near the bottom of a spring tide, the weed covered rocks are quite extensive and there is no difficulty in being far enough inside the square teo be sure of a point. The low tides, however, mean that the series of cruise ships visiting Iona have been anchoring quite a way south of the jetty, and sending their inmates ashore by long trips on RIBs. There's one there now, but so far south that it is out of shot. This one seems to send them ahsore in identical red waterproofs so that, milling around ashore, they are instantly identifiable as temporary refugees from the prison hulk offshore...

Andy Waddington

Dropping down to TrÃ igh MhÃ²r

There's just a tiny fraction of Iona that isn't under the cosh of the National Trust for Scotland, and this is part of it. The result, however, is that it is well fenced off from the NTS domains, which are a little inaccessible to anyone who has visited this corner to get the Tràigh Mhòr bit of land in NM2824. The solution was to return to the beach via this descent and walk all the way back round to the road.

Andy Waddington

Cairn at TrÃ igh MhÃ²r

A small part of Iona free of the National Trust for Scotland, above Tràigh Mhòr this little grassy peninsula south of Sligneach sports a jolly cairn and looks as though it has been used as a picnic spot.

Andy Waddington

Sound of Iona

Looking SSE from Dun I, at 101 metres the highest point on Iona, over the Sound of Iona towards Mull with, in the centre, Iona Abbey and directly above it the Paps of Jura 35 miles away. The island to the right off Mull is Erraid which features prominently in 'Kidnapped' where David Balfour was wrecked at Traigh Geal and thought himself marooned till he found that a strand on its east coast dries out over low tide and you can walk across to Mull. Stevenson is believed to have written 'Kidnapped' whilst staying at a cottage on the island.

ronnie leask

Old Marble Quarry, Iona

The old cutting rig and gas engine can be seen in picture.

Peter Bond

Walking on Iona

Visitors are not permitted to take their cars on to the Island, so the only way to get around is to walk or cycle. This is the route from the pier to the beaches on the west coast of the island.

Anne Burgess

Cnoc nam Bradain

If I believe the Gaelic dictionary, the name of this place means 'salmon knoll'. It is a typical Hebridean house, standing on the machair by the track across the island.

Anne Burgess

Camas CÃ¹il an t-Saimh

This is the main beach on the west coast of Iona, and an easy one to get to. Its name apparently means either 'sorrel back beach' or 'bad smell back beach', according to the Gaelic dictionary, but there was no evidence for the latter today.

Anne Burgess

Iona Group

The rocks in the foreground belong to the Iona Group, which is of Proterozoic age, like the Torridonian sandstones further north. The beds have been shattered and deformed so that they are now almost vertical, possibly by events associated with a fault that runs along the Sound of Iona. The ship anchored in the Sound is the Silver Discovery.

Anne Burgess