Geodh' Gill' Iosa

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Sutherland

Scotland

Geodh' Gill' Iosa

Port an Eilein anchorage, Handa Island Good holding, but limited swinging room in the anchorage.

Handa Island is a nature reserve, owned by the Scourie Estate and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. — Port an Eilein anchorage, Handa Island Credit: Donald MacDonald

Geodh' Gill' Iosa, also known as the Point of Ayre, is a prominent coastal feature located in Sutherland, Scotland. It is a headland that stretches out into the North Atlantic Ocean, marking the northernmost point of the mainland of Scotland.

The Point of Ayre is characterized by its striking cliffs, which rise up to approximately 80 meters in height. These cliffs are composed of rock formations dating back millions of years, showcasing the geological history of the area. The headland is mainly made up of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and shale, which have been shaped by erosion over time.

The coastal area around Geodh' Gill' Iosa is renowned for its rugged beauty and dramatic vistas. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean, with the Orkney Islands visible on clear days. The cliffs are also home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and guillemots, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Access to Geodh' Gill' Iosa is relatively easy, with a well-maintained footpath leading to the headland. The area is part of a nature reserve, managed to protect the unique flora and fauna found in the region. Visitors are encouraged to follow designated paths and respect the natural environment.

Overall, Geodh' Gill' Iosa offers a captivating coastal experience, where visitors can immerse themselves in the raw beauty and natural splendor of Scotland's northernmost point.

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Geodh' Gill' Iosa Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.376111/-5.1611575 or Grid Reference NC1547. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Port an Eilein anchorage, Handa Island

Good holding, but limited swinging room in the anchorage. Handa Island is a nature reserve, owned by the Scourie Estate and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Donald MacDonald

Looking SW from Port an Eilein anchorage, Handa Island

Eddrachillis Bay in the background

Donald MacDonald

Down the hill to Loch Dubh

The little loch at Tarbet wasn't looking particularly black [dubh] on this sunny afternoon.

Gordon Hatton

Slipway, Port of Tarbet

The passenger ferry for Handa leaves from here, but on this day it had been cancelled due to high winds and rough seas.

Gordon Hatton

Coastline at Tarbet

Here cliffs of Lewisian gneiss drop into the sea, but it is only a short way across the water to handa island which is greener thanks to it being made of Torridonian sandstones.

Gordon Hatton

The northernmost tip of Handa

Mainland behind, with Ben Stack in the distance.

Toby Speight

Approaching TrÃ igh Shourie, Handa

The beaches are a surprising contrast to the steep bird cliffs of the north of Handa.

The road to Tarbet

Loch Dubh, Tarbet

Geese, Loch Dubh

Loch Mhichie dam

Loch Mhichie is one of the reservoirs which provide water to the Scourie area. Although it is a natural loch, its level has been raised by this low dam.

AlastairG

Loch Mhichie near Scourie

This view is directly in line with the peninsula on the loch's east bank, giving it the appearance of an island. Although not named on the OS map, it is named on the Scottish Water advice notice beside the dam in its north west corner. It is one of the lochs available to Scourie and District Angling Club permit holders.

AlastairG

Water level gauge on a Scourie hill loch

Unnamed on the OS map but known locally as Lochan Breishmi, this loch is also part of the Scourie water supply system together with Loch Mhichie NC1646 : Loch Mhichie near Scourie. There is a good path to the loch from the lower of two water handling facilities but only the initial gravelled seation is shown on the OS map. Apparently the path was created when the outlet pipe from the loch was laid.

AlastairG

Handa Island

From the headland west of Scourie. Handa Island is one of the most important seabird colonies in northern Europe. Home to over 100,000 seabirds in the summer, including Guillemot, Razorbill and Great Skua.

Eirian Evans

Eilean an Aigeach

Taken from the Handa ferry boat, the view shows this small island ['Island of the Reef'] with the sunlit cliffs of Handa beyond.

Gordon Hatton

Mainland coastline from Handa Ferry

The mainland coast here lacks dramatic cliffs, but displays that typical 'lumpy' character associated with gneiss scenery. On this occasion the ferry did not follow the dotted line as shown on the map, but kept a more central course along the sound before rounding a small headland to land at Port an Eilein.

Gordon Hatton

Coming in to land on Handa

On this occasion the small ferry boat from Tarbet landed passengers on the beach at Port an Eilein. Two of the island's rangers wait with a portable landing stage.

Gordon Hatton

Visitor facilities on Handa

To the left is the information centre where visitors are briefed on what to see and where they can go, whilst to the right are 'facilities' of a rather different nature.

Gordon Hatton

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Geodh' Gill' Iosa is located at Grid Ref: NC1547 (Lat: 58.376111, Lng: -5.1611575)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands