Sgeir nan Gabhar

One of the few places to land on Scarba.

Port an Eag-Uillt is just visible on the left.

On the east coast of this Slate Island, in the Sound of Luing. There is also a larger house NM7108 : House on the Slate Island of Lunga, obscured by the rock behind the cottage.

Seen from the Sound of Luing.

At 49 m, one of the higher points of Lunga; Bidein na h-Iolaire, at 100 m, is the highest. The rock would appear to be relatively soft - note the undercut at what would be the high tide mark?

In the foreground are two separate, but tidal islands, Eilean Iosal and Rubha Fiola. Further away can be seen Inch Island in the Firth of Lorn, and Seil to its right.

Guirasdeal looking North to Lunga (right) and the black isle (left).

Summit of Guirasdeal, with Scarba and Jura in the distance.

Looking East towards the Grey Dogs - Scarba on the right, Lunga on the left.

Wonderful pebble beach on north coast of Scarba looking towards the Garvellachs and Mull.

At low water.

Lunga is one of the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn. The 'Grey Dog' tidal race, which runs in the sea channel to the south, Bealach a' Choin Ghlais, reaches 8 knots in full flood. The name 'Lunga' is derived from the Old Norse for 'Isle of the Longships', but almost all other place names are Gaelic in origin. Link

The channel to the south of the Island of Lunga, Bealach a' Choin Ghlais (Pass of the Grey Dog), is only 200 metres wide and is scoured by the notorious 'Grey Dog' tidal race which reaches 8 knots when in full flood. According to an 1845 description: '... about 1 cable broad, and the stream of water during the greater part of ebb and flood rushes along the narrow pass with much violence. So great is the overfall on the current, that even during moderate tides it is impossible to force a boat through.' This strait is sometimes called the 'Little Corryvreckan' after its greater cousin between Scarba and Jura just a few miles to the south. Link The place is said to be named after Bhreacan's faithful dog who having pulled the body of his master ashore after capsizing in the Corryvreckan whirlpool, then perished itself in 'Little Corryvreckan'. It is often quoted that the Royal Navy described the Gulf of Corryvreckan as unnavigable but it appears that the warning phrase in the West Coast Pilot refers to this narrower channel: 'It is reported that the excessive rate of the tidal stream and the narrow width of the E entrance channel create an unnavigable area just S of Eilean a’ Bhealaich, an islet in the centre of the E entrance. As a result, it is inadvisable to pass through this channel, and even with local knowledge passage should only be attempted in quiet weather at slack water.' Link

Looking west from the Sound of Luing through the narrow strait between Lunga (left) and Fiola Meadhonach (extreme right), to Fiola an Droma (centre right).

Dinghy approaching the Grey Dogs tidal race between Scarba and Lunga

The ridge of Bidein na h-Iolaire appears on the skyline. This is the highest point on Lunga and although marked on OS maps as 98m, resurveys have put its height at 100m, qualifying it a Scottish HUMP.

From Scarba through a narrow channel to Camas a' Mhòr-Fhir, up the cliff and then much fun was had trying to guess which was the true summit and whether it was really a Hump or not. Smashing views however. Walked over four likely summits after tricky landing, lovely island on a calm sunny day. Name: Bidein na h-Iolaire Hill number: 4873 Height: 101m / 331ft Area: 20A: Jura, Scarba and Colonsay Class: Hu Grid ref: NM 70665 08602 Summit feature: no feature 60m WNW of cairn Drop: 101m Col: Sea

The Little Corryvreckan, or Grey dogs is the narrow tidal channel between the islands of Scarba and Lunga. The tide rips through here at 8 knots on Spring tides. View to the West, taken from Lunga and Scarba is on the left.