Mol Shoay

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Mol Shoay

Geodha na h-Ãirde (The Tunnel), St Kilda A long tunnel cuts through the headland of Gob na h-Àirde which is marked on OS maps as an arch. This is the view at the Gleann Mòr entrance looking towards the bay. Access is by a sloping ledge visible in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1291360">NA0800 : Gob na h-Airde</a>. The floor of the tunnel has the name Leacan an t-Sluic Mhóir that means The flagstones of the big hole. Jim Crumley in his book, Among Islands, published in 1994, commented that The Tunnel is a landscape out of the top drawer and that &quot;The Trumpet-blowers played the thing down, for memory in such a landscape is not to be trusted&quot;. This is the first image inside the Tunnel on Geograph. — Geodha na h-Ãirde (The Tunnel), St Kilda Credit: Julian Paren

Mol Shoay, located in Inverness-shire, Scotland, is a coastal marsh and saltings area that offers a unique and diverse habitat for various plant and animal species. Situated along the coast, it is characterized by its wet and marshy landscape, which is influenced by the ebb and flow of tides from the nearby sea.

The marsh and saltings of Mol Shoay are known for their rich biodiversity. The area is home to a variety of plants, including marsh samphire, sea lavender, and sea purslane, which are well adapted to the salty conditions of the coast. These plants not only provide food and shelter for numerous invertebrates but also play a crucial role in stabilizing the marshland and preventing erosion.

The wetlands of Mol Shoay also attract a wide range of bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers. Common sightings include wading birds such as oystercatchers, curlews, and redshanks, which forage for food in the shallow waters. Additionally, the marsh provides an important breeding ground for various waterfowl, including ducks and geese.

The area is also significant from a conservation perspective. Mol Shoay is part of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognizing its importance for its unique ecology and wildlife. As a protected area, it is managed to maintain its natural features and ensure the preservation of its diverse flora and fauna.

Visitors to Mol Shoay can enjoy the tranquility of the marshland, take in the breathtaking coastal views, and observe the remarkable wildlife that thrives in this coastal habitat.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Mol Shoay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.827451/-8.6250315 or Grid Reference NA0601. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Geodha na h-Ãirde (The Tunnel), St Kilda

A long tunnel cuts through the headland of Gob na h-Àirde which is marked on OS maps as an arch. This is the view at the Gleann Mòr entrance looking towards the bay. Access is by a sloping ledge visible in NA0800 : Gob na h-Airde. The floor of the tunnel has the name Leacan an t-Sluic Mhóir that means The flagstones of the big hole. Jim Crumley in his book, Among Islands, published in 1994, commented that The Tunnel is a landscape out of the top drawer and that "The Trumpet-blowers played the thing down, for memory in such a landscape is not to be trusted". This is the first image inside the Tunnel on Geograph.

Julian Paren

Hirta, Gob na h-Ãirde

A small headland which forms the eastern side of Glen Bay on the north coast of Hirta, the principal island of the St Kilda archipelago.

David Dixon

An Campar

Hill at the north-western end of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago.

David Dixon

St Kilda, Soay Strait

The islands of Soay (Shoaigh) and Hirta (Hiort) in the St Kilda archipelago are separated by the narrow Sound of Soay which is only about 500 metres wide. Two sea stacks, Stac Shoaigh (Soay Stac) (200 ft), and Stac Biorach, (240 ft), lie between the two islands.

David Dixon

Stac Biorach, St Kilda

Stac Biorach (Scottish Gaelic meaning "the pointed stack") is a sea stack, 73 metres tall, situated in the Sound of Soay, between the islands of Hirta and Soay in the St Kilda archipelago.

David Dixon

Sea stacks between Soay and Hirta

David Dixon

Soay, St Kilda

Soay (Scottish Gaelic: Soaigh) is an uninhabited islet in the St Kilda archipelago; it is the westernmost point in the United Kingdom. The name derives from Old Norse Seyðoy, meaning "Island of Sheep". The island is home to a primitive breed of sheep, Soay sheep Link

David Dixon

Stacs Shoaigh and Biorach, St Kilda Archipelago

David Dixon

Cambir on St Kilda

The view south from the tip of The Cambir (216 m) with Mullach Mor (361 m) on the left and Mullach Bi (358 m) on the right.

Mick Crawley

Lazy beds in Gleann Mor

Evidence of cultivation in the ancient settlement in Gleann Mor, Hirta.

Peter Turner

Preparing To Leave Soay

Pete Ellis doing the calm lead climbing assisted by Dave Tyson and Alan Whatley. Once the slippy bits were out of the way it was just a rocky scramble then out onto a grassy ledge before upward and onward to the top of Soay. This pictures shows our two abseil ropes with a view towards Stac Dona.

Rude Health