Mol Ghiasgar

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Mol Ghiasgar

St Kilda View from Traigh-stir on North Uist at sunset.
St Kilda Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Mol Ghiasgar is a coastal marsh located in Inverness-shire, Scotland. It is situated on the shores of the Moray Firth, a large inlet of the North Sea. The marsh is known for its unique and diverse ecosystem, making it an important area for wildlife conservation.

Covering an area of approximately [insert number] hectares, Mol Ghiasgar is characterized by its vast expanse of salt marshes and saltings. These marshes are formed by the deposition of sediment and organic matter carried by the tides, creating a fertile environment for a wide range of plant and animal species.

The vegetation in Mol Ghiasgar is dominated by salt-tolerant plants such as samphire, sea lavender, and glasswort. These plants provide essential habitat and food sources for numerous bird species, including waders like curlews, redshanks, and oystercatchers. The marshes are also home to a variety of insects, amphibians, and small mammals.

The marshes of Mol Ghiasgar are of significant importance for migratory birds, acting as a stopover site during their long journeys. It is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to safeguard its ecological value.

Visitors to Mol Ghiasgar can enjoy the serene and untouched beauty of the marshland, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Moray Firth. The area offers opportunities for birdwatching, nature photography, and peaceful walks along designated trails. However, it is important to note that access to certain parts of the marsh may be restricted during nesting seasons to protect breeding birds.

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Mol Ghiasgar Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.820263/-8.5634058 or Grid Reference NA1000. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Kilda View from Traigh-stir on North Uist at sunset.
St Kilda
View from Traigh-stir on North Uist at sunset.
Geodha na h-Àirde (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 "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.
Geodha na h-Àirde (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.
The Amazon's House, Gleann Mor, St Kilda One of the many structures in Gleann Mor, St Kilda, but this one is the most studied and is named on OS Maps. In Gleann Mor, complex clusters of remains bear affinities with the building traditions of Iron Age wheelhouses, of particular note being the Amazon's House, with its central chamber and linked cells beneath turfed corbelling. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/3960/st-kilda-hirta-gleann-mor-the-amazons-house" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/3960/st-kilda-hirta-gleann-mor-the-amazons-house">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>
The Amazon's House, Gleann Mor, St Kilda
One of the many structures in Gleann Mor, St Kilda, but this one is the most studied and is named on OS Maps. In Gleann Mor, complex clusters of remains bear affinities with the building traditions of Iron Age wheelhouses, of particular note being the Amazon's House, with its central chamber and linked cells beneath turfed corbelling. LinkExternal link
Cleit on the side of Mullach Mòr This spot provides a good view into Gleann Mòr towards The Cambir (An Campar).
Cleit on the side of Mullach Mòr
This spot provides a good view into Gleann Mòr towards The Cambir (An Campar).
Village Bay from the side of Ruabhal, Hirta The military encampment is noticeable and this image was taken when the North Uist Rocket Range was extensively used by NATO.
Village Bay from the side of Ruabhal, Hirta
The military encampment is noticeable and this image was taken when the North Uist Rocket Range was extensively used by NATO.
Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south, Hirta
Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south, Hirta
Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar This radar station, located on Mullach Sgar, is one of two stations on the island which serve the South Uist rocket range. They contain equipment which allows them to track test firings on the range by radar, and to record images of missiles in flight. The second radar station on Hirta is located further north, on the summit of Mullach Mòr.
Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar
This radar station, located on Mullach Sgar, is one of two stations on the island which serve the South Uist rocket range. They contain equipment which allows them to track test firings on the range by radar, and to record images of missiles in flight. The second radar station on Hirta is located further north, on the summit of Mullach Mòr.
Hirta, Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south
Hirta, Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south
Former Quarry Site on Hirta
Former Quarry Site on Hirta
Mina Stac, Hirta Hirta is surrounded by a number of small stacks. Mina Stac rises spectacularly to a height of approximately 70 metres, separated by only a few feet from the spectacular cliffs (the highest sea cliffs in the UK) which descend from the summit Conachair.
Mina Stac, Hirta
Hirta is surrounded by a number of small stacks. Mina Stac rises spectacularly to a height of approximately 70 metres, separated by only a few feet from the spectacular cliffs (the highest sea cliffs in the UK) which descend from the summit Conachair.
St Kilda, Mina Stac Hirta is surrounded by a number of small stacks. Mina Stac rises spectacularly to a height of approximately 70 metres, separated by only a few feet from the spectacular cliffs (the highest sea cliffs in the UK) which descend from the summit of Conachair, the highest point on the island.
St Kilda, Mina Stac
Hirta is surrounded by a number of small stacks. Mina Stac rises spectacularly to a height of approximately 70 metres, separated by only a few feet from the spectacular cliffs (the highest sea cliffs in the UK) which descend from the summit of Conachair, the highest point on the island.
Hirta, Gob na h-Àirde 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.
Hirta, Gob na h-Àirde
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.
Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Mor This radar station is located on the summit of Mullach Mor. It is one of two radar stations on the island which serve the South Uist rocket range. They contain equipment which allows them to track test firings on the range by radar, and to record images of missiles in flight. The second radar station on Hirta is located further south, on Mullach Sgar (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7366677">NF0998 : Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar</a>).
Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Mor
This radar station is located on the summit of Mullach Mor. It is one of two radar stations on the island which serve the South Uist rocket range. They contain equipment which allows them to track test firings on the range by radar, and to record images of missiles in flight. The second radar station on Hirta is located further south, on Mullach Sgar (NF0998 : Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar).
Abhainn Mhòr, Hirta Flowing past the western end of the old village.
Abhainn Mhòr, Hirta
Flowing past the western end of the old village.
Abhainn Mhòr With some of the maintained cleits along the banks.
Abhainn Mhòr
With some of the maintained cleits along the banks.
Soay Sheep, Hirta A very old lineage of sheep, living wild on Hirta and Soay. They are tagged to monitor population fluctuations, which can be quite rapid.
Soay Sheep, Hirta
A very old lineage of sheep, living wild on Hirta and Soay. They are tagged to monitor population fluctuations, which can be quite rapid.
Abhainn Mhòr, Hirta
Abhainn Mhòr, Hirta
Former village, Hirta With Soay Sheep now roaming free on what were the farmed fields.
Former village, Hirta
With Soay Sheep now roaming free on what were the farmed fields.
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Mol Ghiasgar is located at Grid Ref: NA1000 (Lat: 57.820263, Lng: -8.5634058)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///permit.fakes.speeches. Near Balivanich, Na h-Eileanan Siar

Related Wikis

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Hirta (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is the largest island in the St Kilda archipelago, on the western edge of Scotland. The names Hiort (in Scottish Gaelic...

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St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is an isolated archipelago situated 64 kilometres (40 mi) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It...

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Stac Biorach

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

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.820263,-8.5634058
Stac a' Langa
Natural: cape
Source: npe
Wikidata: Q24677220
Lat/Long: 57.8204959/-8.5615766
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.8195147/-8.5603912
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.8190297/-8.5600985
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.8207359/-8.5609685
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.821498/-8.5636761
Natural: rock
Seamark Type: rock
Lat/Long: 57.8213291/-8.5640176
Am Broig
Natural: cape
Lat/Long: 57.8177782/-8.5591465
Geo a' Bhroige
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 57.8184411/-8.5598117
Geo na Eaige
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 57.8175382/-8.5580307
Àird Uachdarachd
Natural: cape
Lat/Long: 57.8228179/-8.5685986
Glacan Chonachair
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 57.8174582/-8.5699397
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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