An Tarbh

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Argyllshire

Scotland

An Tarbh

Port na Luinge A fine camp site
Port na Luinge Credit: GRAEME and LESLEY CRANSTON

An Tarbh is a prominent headland located in Argyllshire, Scotland. Situated along the picturesque coastline, it juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views and a unique geological formation. The name "An Tarbh" translates to "The Bull" in English, reflecting the headland's rugged and imposing appearance.

This coastal feature is known for its steep cliffs, which rise dramatically from the sea. The cliffs are composed of ancient rock formations, showcasing layers of sedimentary rock that have been shaped by millions of years of erosion. An Tarbh is a popular destination for geologists and nature enthusiasts who are keen to study the region's geological history.

The headland also boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna. The cliff faces provide nesting sites for seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and gulls. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, making it a prime spot for fishing and wildlife spotting. Visitors may even be lucky enough to spot seals or dolphins swimming in the nearby waters.

Access to An Tarbh is relatively straightforward, with a well-maintained footpath leading to the headland. From the top, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, the vast ocean, and the nearby islands. The headland's location, combined with its natural beauty and geological significance, make An Tarbh a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat along the Argyllshire coast.

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An Tarbh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.59246/-6.238921 or Grid Reference NR3341. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Port na Luinge A fine camp site
Port na Luinge
A fine camp site
Looking on to the bay at Port an Eas
Looking on to the bay at Port an Eas
Coastline south-west of Rubha Dubh Alt a' Mhadaidh
Coastline south-west of Rubha Dubh Alt a' Mhadaidh
Burn at Carraig Bun Aibhne
Burn at Carraig Bun Aibhne
Eas Mòr Waterfall, Port an Eas, Islay The name means 'big waterfall' but this was taken after a spell of dry weather!
Eas Mòr Waterfall, Port an Eas, Islay
The name means 'big waterfall' but this was taken after a spell of dry weather!
Inveraval, Islay This ruined cottage is situated on the south-east corner of the Oa peninsula. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2570071">NR3242 : Inveraval, Islay</a> for photo of the renovated property.
Inveraval, Islay
This ruined cottage is situated on the south-east corner of the Oa peninsula. See NR3242 : Inveraval, Islay for photo of the renovated property.
Ballychatrigan Farm, Islay A derelict farm on the Oa Peninsula.
Ballychatrigan Farm, Islay
A derelict farm on the Oa Peninsula.
Rubha na h-Uamha Rocky gully near Rubha na h-Uamha, access only from the sea.
Rubha na h-Uamha
Rocky gully near Rubha na h-Uamha, access only from the sea.
Ruined settlement, Uchdach na Coille Ruined settlement on the east side of the Oa peninsula. Islay was 'improved' in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with planned villages and a modernised farming system, but it is difficult to know if settlements like this were cleared or whether the people just drifted away.
Ruined settlement, Uchdach na Coille
Ruined settlement on the east side of the Oa peninsula. Islay was 'improved' in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with planned villages and a modernised farming system, but it is difficult to know if settlements like this were cleared or whether the people just drifted away.
Ruined dwellings, Tornamoine Situated between the moor and the sea cliffs, this abandoned settlement must once have provided a living from agriculture. A ruined corn drying kiln stands nearby.
Ruined dwellings, Tornamoine
Situated between the moor and the sea cliffs, this abandoned settlement must once have provided a living from agriculture. A ruined corn drying kiln stands nearby.
Port an Eas Secluded sandy bay on the east side of the Oa.
Port an Eas
Secluded sandy bay on the east side of the Oa.
Port Asabuis, Islay
Port Asabuis, Islay
Track to Ballychatrigan, Islay
Track to Ballychatrigan, Islay
Ruins of Cill Choman, Islay All that now remains of an ancient chapel/monastery. The last visit by RCAHMS appears to be 1981 and there is even less remaining now.

Information from <span class="nowrap"><a title="www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk:" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk:">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>

Merest indications of the chapel walls appears above the turf. It has measured about 18ft by 8ft and stands in an enclosure about 60ft by 30ft. 
R C Graham 1895. 

The name of this chapel was first collected as "Cill a' Chobhain" and later changed to the published version. It may therefore be the "Kilachoan" planned by Mrs Lucy Ramsay before 1890 (Celoria 1959); and also the Kilchoan mentioned by Watson (1926) as deriving from Cill Chomtighain, the church of St Comgan, possibly an 8th century saint. There is a local tradition that it was a monastery (Celoria 1960). 
Name Book 1878; F Celoria 1959; 1960; W J Watson 1926; F Gold 1961. 

NR 3147 4115 The remains of a chapel measuring 9m north west-south east by 6m over walling 1m high and 1.5m wide is situated within a rectangular burial ground 25m by 10m. There is a probable entrance 0.6m wide in the north east side of the chapel. 
Surveyed at 1:10000. 
Visited by OS (BS) 3 June 1978.

This chapel is situated on a south-facing hillside some 300m w of the boat-landing at Port Asabuis and at an elevation of 65m OD. Much of the surrounding land shows traces of rig-cultivation, and the remains of a small settlement are
identifiable some 75m to the W, The chapel measures 6.3m from E to W by 3.1m transversely within walls about 1m in thickness which, although heather-grown, stand to a height of about 0.9m. Much of the masonry-facing survives, but there are no identifiable traces of mortar. The apparent narrowness of the entrance, which is placed towards the middle of the N wall, may be the result of tumbled masonry.
The building stands within a subrectangular enclosure measuring about 24m from E to why 11m, which appears to
have been subdivided by slighter walls in line with the E wall of the chapel. The boundary-wall is preserved in places to a height of 0.8m and displays several stretches of masonry facework. At the E end of the site, where the wall ran along
the edge of a rocky scarp, it was supported by substantial stone revetments.
The dedication of the chapel was probably to St Comgan. (Watson 1926)
Visited March 1981
RCAHMS 1984
Ruins of Cill Choman, Islay
All that now remains of an ancient chapel/monastery. The last visit by RCAHMS appears to be 1981 and there is even less remaining now. Information from LinkExternal link Merest indications of the chapel walls appears above the turf. It has measured about 18ft by 8ft and stands in an enclosure about 60ft by 30ft. R C Graham 1895. The name of this chapel was first collected as "Cill a' Chobhain" and later changed to the published version. It may therefore be the "Kilachoan" planned by Mrs Lucy Ramsay before 1890 (Celoria 1959); and also the Kilchoan mentioned by Watson (1926) as deriving from Cill Chomtighain, the church of St Comgan, possibly an 8th century saint. There is a local tradition that it was a monastery (Celoria 1960). Name Book 1878; F Celoria 1959; 1960; W J Watson 1926; F Gold 1961. NR 3147 4115 The remains of a chapel measuring 9m north west-south east by 6m over walling 1m high and 1.5m wide is situated within a rectangular burial ground 25m by 10m. There is a probable entrance 0.6m wide in the north east side of the chapel. Surveyed at 1:10000. Visited by OS (BS) 3 June 1978. This chapel is situated on a south-facing hillside some 300m w of the boat-landing at Port Asabuis and at an elevation of 65m OD. Much of the surrounding land shows traces of rig-cultivation, and the remains of a small settlement are identifiable some 75m to the W, The chapel measures 6.3m from E to W by 3.1m transversely within walls about 1m in thickness which, although heather-grown, stand to a height of about 0.9m. Much of the masonry-facing survives, but there are no identifiable traces of mortar. The apparent narrowness of the entrance, which is placed towards the middle of the N wall, may be the result of tumbled masonry. The building stands within a subrectangular enclosure measuring about 24m from E to why 11m, which appears to have been subdivided by slighter walls in line with the E wall of the chapel. The boundary-wall is preserved in places to a height of 0.8m and displays several stretches of masonry facework. At the E end of the site, where the wall ran along the edge of a rocky scarp, it was supported by substantial stone revetments. The dedication of the chapel was probably to St Comgan. (Watson 1926) Visited March 1981 RCAHMS 1984
Cill Choman, Islay All that now remains of an ancient chapel/monastery. The last visit by RCAHMS appears to be 1981 and there is even less remaining now.

Information from <span class="nowrap"><a title="www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk:" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk:">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>

Merest indications of the chapel walls appears above the turf. It has measured about 18ft by 8ft and stands in an enclosure about 60ft by 30ft. 
R C Graham 1895. 

The name of this chapel was first collected as "Cill a' Chobhain" and later changed to the published version. It may therefore be the "Kilachoan" planned by Mrs Lucy Ramsay before 1890 (Celoria 1959); and also the Kilchoan mentioned by Watson (1926) as deriving from Cill Chomtighain, the church of St Comgan, possibly an 8th century saint. There is a local tradition that it was a monastery (Celoria 1960). 
Name Book 1878; F Celoria 1959; 1960; W J Watson 1926; F Gold 1961. 

NR 3147 4115 The remains of a chapel measuring 9m north west-south east by 6m over walling 1m high and 1.5m wide is situated within a rectangular burial ground 25m by 10m. There is a probable entrance 0.6m wide in the north east side of the chapel. 
Surveyed at 1:10000. 
Visited by OS (BS) 3 June 1978.

This chapel is situated on a south-facing hillside some 300m w of the boat-landing at Port Asabuis and at an elevation of 65m OD. Much of the surrounding land shows traces of rig-cultivation, and the remains of a small settlement are
identifiable some 75m to the W, The chapel measures 6.3m from E to W by 3.1m transversely within walls about 1m in thickness which, although heather-grown, stand to a height of about 0.9m. Much of the masonry-facing survives, but there are no identifiable traces of mortar. The apparent narrowness of the entrance, which is placed towards the middle of the N wall, may be the result of tumbled masonry.
The building stands within a subrectangular enclosure measuring about 24m from E to why 11m, which appears to
have been subdivided by slighter walls in line with the E wall of the chapel. The boundary-wall is preserved in places to a height of 0.8m and displays several stretches of masonry facework. At the E end of the site, where the wall ran along
the edge of a rocky scarp, it was supported by substantial stone revetments.
The dedication of the chapel was probably to St Comgan. (Watson 1926)
Visited March 1981
RCAHMS 1984
Cill Choman, Islay
All that now remains of an ancient chapel/monastery. The last visit by RCAHMS appears to be 1981 and there is even less remaining now. Information from LinkExternal link Merest indications of the chapel walls appears above the turf. It has measured about 18ft by 8ft and stands in an enclosure about 60ft by 30ft. R C Graham 1895. The name of this chapel was first collected as "Cill a' Chobhain" and later changed to the published version. It may therefore be the "Kilachoan" planned by Mrs Lucy Ramsay before 1890 (Celoria 1959); and also the Kilchoan mentioned by Watson (1926) as deriving from Cill Chomtighain, the church of St Comgan, possibly an 8th century saint. There is a local tradition that it was a monastery (Celoria 1960). Name Book 1878; F Celoria 1959; 1960; W J Watson 1926; F Gold 1961. NR 3147 4115 The remains of a chapel measuring 9m north west-south east by 6m over walling 1m high and 1.5m wide is situated within a rectangular burial ground 25m by 10m. There is a probable entrance 0.6m wide in the north east side of the chapel. Surveyed at 1:10000. Visited by OS (BS) 3 June 1978. This chapel is situated on a south-facing hillside some 300m w of the boat-landing at Port Asabuis and at an elevation of 65m OD. Much of the surrounding land shows traces of rig-cultivation, and the remains of a small settlement are identifiable some 75m to the W, The chapel measures 6.3m from E to W by 3.1m transversely within walls about 1m in thickness which, although heather-grown, stand to a height of about 0.9m. Much of the masonry-facing survives, but there are no identifiable traces of mortar. The apparent narrowness of the entrance, which is placed towards the middle of the N wall, may be the result of tumbled masonry. The building stands within a subrectangular enclosure measuring about 24m from E to why 11m, which appears to have been subdivided by slighter walls in line with the E wall of the chapel. The boundary-wall is preserved in places to a height of 0.8m and displays several stretches of masonry facework. At the E end of the site, where the wall ran along the edge of a rocky scarp, it was supported by substantial stone revetments. The dedication of the chapel was probably to St Comgan. (Watson 1926) Visited March 1981 RCAHMS 1984
Ruins of Cill Choman, Islay All that now remains of an ancient chapel/monastery. The last visit by RCAHMS appears to be 1981 and there is even less remaining now.

Information from <span class="nowrap"><a title="www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk:" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk:">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>

Merest indications of the chapel walls appears above the turf. It has measured about 18ft by 8ft and stands in an enclosure about 60ft by 30ft. 
R C Graham 1895. 

The name of this chapel was first collected as "Cill a' Chobhain" and later changed to the published version. It may therefore be the "Kilachoan" planned by Mrs Lucy Ramsay before 1890 (Celoria 1959); and also the Kilchoan mentioned by Watson (1926) as deriving from Cill Chomtighain, the church of St Comgan, possibly an 8th century saint. There is a local tradition that it was a monastery (Celoria 1960). 
Name Book 1878; F Celoria 1959; 1960; W J Watson 1926; F Gold 1961. 

NR 3147 4115 The remains of a chapel measuring 9m north west-south east by 6m over walling 1m high and 1.5m wide is situated within a rectangular burial ground 25m by 10m. There is a probable entrance 0.6m wide in the north east side of the chapel. 
Surveyed at 1:10000. 
Visited by OS (BS) 3 June 1978.

This chapel is situated on a south-facing hillside some 300m w of the boat-landing at Port Asabuis and at an elevation of 65m OD. Much of the surrounding land shows traces of rig-cultivation, and the remains of a small settlement are
identifiable some 75m to the W, The chapel measures 6.3m from E to W by 3.1m transversely within walls about 1m in thickness which, although heather-grown, stand to a height of about 0.9m. Much of the masonry-facing survives, but there are no identifiable traces of mortar. The apparent narrowness of the entrance, which is placed towards the middle of the N wall, may be the result of tumbled masonry.
The building stands within a subrectangular enclosure measuring about 24m from E to why 11m, which appears to
have been subdivided by slighter walls in line with the E wall of the chapel. The boundary-wall is preserved in places to a height of 0.8m and displays several stretches of masonry facework. At the E end of the site, where the wall ran along
the edge of a rocky scarp, it was supported by substantial stone revetments.
The dedication of the chapel was probably to St Comgan. (Watson 1926)
Visited March 1981
RCAHMS 1984
Ruins of Cill Choman, Islay
All that now remains of an ancient chapel/monastery. The last visit by RCAHMS appears to be 1981 and there is even less remaining now. Information from LinkExternal link Merest indications of the chapel walls appears above the turf. It has measured about 18ft by 8ft and stands in an enclosure about 60ft by 30ft. R C Graham 1895. The name of this chapel was first collected as "Cill a' Chobhain" and later changed to the published version. It may therefore be the "Kilachoan" planned by Mrs Lucy Ramsay before 1890 (Celoria 1959); and also the Kilchoan mentioned by Watson (1926) as deriving from Cill Chomtighain, the church of St Comgan, possibly an 8th century saint. There is a local tradition that it was a monastery (Celoria 1960). Name Book 1878; F Celoria 1959; 1960; W J Watson 1926; F Gold 1961. NR 3147 4115 The remains of a chapel measuring 9m north west-south east by 6m over walling 1m high and 1.5m wide is situated within a rectangular burial ground 25m by 10m. There is a probable entrance 0.6m wide in the north east side of the chapel. Surveyed at 1:10000. Visited by OS (BS) 3 June 1978. This chapel is situated on a south-facing hillside some 300m w of the boat-landing at Port Asabuis and at an elevation of 65m OD. Much of the surrounding land shows traces of rig-cultivation, and the remains of a small settlement are identifiable some 75m to the W, The chapel measures 6.3m from E to W by 3.1m transversely within walls about 1m in thickness which, although heather-grown, stand to a height of about 0.9m. Much of the masonry-facing survives, but there are no identifiable traces of mortar. The apparent narrowness of the entrance, which is placed towards the middle of the N wall, may be the result of tumbled masonry. The building stands within a subrectangular enclosure measuring about 24m from E to why 11m, which appears to have been subdivided by slighter walls in line with the E wall of the chapel. The boundary-wall is preserved in places to a height of 0.8m and displays several stretches of masonry facework. At the E end of the site, where the wall ran along the edge of a rocky scarp, it was supported by substantial stone revetments. The dedication of the chapel was probably to St Comgan. (Watson 1926) Visited March 1981 RCAHMS 1984
Inveraval, Islay See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1757862">NR3242 : Inveraval, Islay</a> for photo of the rear of this building in ruinous state, just before renovations began. This photo shows the front of the house. The exterior looks complete, although the interior is far from being so. I guess they can work on that during the winter. The position of this house on the island, whilst affording outstanding views, is certainly open to the elements, so finishing outside work during the island's gorgeous summer is most definitely desirable!
Inveraval, Islay
See NR3242 : Inveraval, Islay for photo of the rear of this building in ruinous state, just before renovations began. This photo shows the front of the house. The exterior looks complete, although the interior is far from being so. I guess they can work on that during the winter. The position of this house on the island, whilst affording outstanding views, is certainly open to the elements, so finishing outside work during the island's gorgeous summer is most definitely desirable!
Ruin near Inveraval, Islay With Texa Island just visible in the distance.
Ruin near Inveraval, Islay
With Texa Island just visible in the distance.
Show me another place!

An Tarbh is located at Grid Ref: NR3341 (Lat: 55.59246, Lng: -6.238921)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///cabs.exchanges.manifests. Near Port Ellen, Argyll & Bute

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