Gil Mhòr

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Gil Mhòr

Abhainn Thabhsaigh and Ruidear Having paddled about 6km up Loch Reasort (from where it got too shallow for the MV Cuma) in fibreglass sea kayaks, any significant whitewater descent in a river this rocky would have been foolish (even by my standards - I did run just the last 50 metres) but I could not resist wandering up to get a look at what a descent might be like with even more water. Looks fun, but hardly worth the walk in to this remote spot. Somewhere back there lost in the cloud is Strone Ulladale - one of the remotest serious rock climbs in the UK. Any walk in with a plastic river boat would be an equally long undertaking, and the exit from where the river ends even longer on foot, or getting on for ten miles on the sea to Huisnis. Quite possibly a first descent looking for a taker? — Abhainn Thabhsaigh and Ruidear Credit: Andy Waddington

Gil Mhòr is a coastal marsh located in Inverness-shire, Scotland. Situated in the western part of the county, it is renowned for its extensive salt marshes and saltings. The marsh is positioned between the mouth of the River Nairn and the Moray Firth, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastal landscape.

Covering an area of approximately 2 square kilometers, Gil Mhòr is a haven for a diverse range of flora and fauna. The marshes are characterized by their muddy and sandy terrain, often submerged by tidal waters, creating a unique ecosystem that supports various plant and animal species. The salt-tolerant plants that thrive in this environment include sea purslane, sea lavender, and sea aster, among others. These plants provide food and shelter for a variety of birds and insects.

The marshes of Gil Mhòr also serve as an important breeding ground for numerous bird species. Visitors can spot a variety of wading birds, such as curlews, redshanks, and oystercatchers, as well as migratory species like pink-footed geese and whooper swans. The area is also frequented by birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts who come to observe the diverse avian population.

In addition to its ecological significance, Gil Mhòr offers recreational opportunities for visitors. There are several walking trails that allow visitors to explore the marshes and observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. The tranquil ambiance and picturesque scenery make it an ideal location for nature lovers seeking a peaceful retreat.

In conclusion, Gil Mhòr in Inverness-shire is a coastal marsh famed for its salt marshes and saltings. Its unique ecosystem, rich biodiversity, and scenic beauty make it a must-visit destination for those interested in nature and wildlife.

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Gil Mhòr Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.052626/-6.9209747 or Grid Reference NB0917. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Abhainn Thabhsaigh and Ruidear

Having paddled about 6km up Loch Reasort (from where it got too shallow for the MV Cuma) in fibreglass sea kayaks, any significant whitewater descent in a river this rocky would have been foolish (even by my standards - I did run just the last 50 metres) but I could not resist wandering up to get a look at what a descent might be like with even more water. Looks fun, but hardly worth the walk in to this remote spot. Somewhere back there lost in the cloud is Strone Ulladale - one of the remotest serious rock climbs in the UK. Any walk in with a plastic river boat would be an equally long undertaking, and the exit from where the river ends even longer on foot, or getting on for ten miles on the sea to Huisnis. Quite possibly a first descent looking for a taker?

Andy Waddington

Abhainn Thabhsaigh runs down to Ceann Loch Reasort

Loch Reasort is long and shallow, so its head can only be reached in shallow draught boats. This seems to include the occasional R.I.B. as well as sea kayaks, which is how we got here. Over our lunch stop, we walked up the stream a bit to prospect for a whitewater descent - too rocky to play on any but the very last bit in fibreglass boats, and hardly an enticing prospect given the remoteness and difficulty of getting in and out of the area with plastic river boats in the sort of weather (much wetter than seen here) needed for such an undertaking.

Andy Waddington

Oxbow on the Abhainn Thabhsaigh

The river meanders through the peat moorland on its way to the sea at Ceann Loch Resort.

Julian Paren

Kinlochresort -2011

A return visit after 47 years. In 1964 NB1017 : Kinlochresort - 1964 both the foreground house Kinresort Cottage and the cottage across the two rivers in Harris were occupied. Today Kinresort Cottage is boarded up and a salmon bailiff uses the well-preserved house opposite. A close comparison of the two images shows many changes to the buildings at Kinlochresort.

Julian Paren

Kinresort Cottage

I stayed here in 1964 NB1017 : Kinresort Cottage - 1964. The slate roof has gone as have the windows and front door. The adjacent barn has lost its corrugated roof and the walls are now lower. The chimney pots are unchanged and surprisingly the staining on the end wall has hardly changed in the intervening 47 years. A history of this house and the community that lived along the shore of Loch Resort is available in a pamphlet costing £2 from The Islands Book Trust.

Julian Paren

Departing Kinlochresort by Seatrek RIB

Just 30 minutes fast driving by modern inflatable craft from Huisinis - and a world apart - and with squalls of rain, rather exciting!

Julian Paren

The Gamekeeper's (Salmon Bailiff's) house at Luachair

Whilst we were there a person one took for a ghillie emerged from the house and with dog at heel and rod in arm took silently to the hills in the direction of Loch Bhoisimid.

Julian Paren

The head of Loch Resort

A walk along the water line from a temporary harbour for the Seatrek RIB brought one closer to the settlement at Kinlochresort. The cottage over the water in Lewis was all boarded up whilst the cottage owned by the North Harris Trust on the south side of the water was occupied at the time of our visit.

Julian Paren

The old Gamekeepers house at Luachair

Such a surprise to find so well a renovated house at Kinlochresort. Congratulations to the North Harris Trust.

Julian Paren

A View Across The Shallow End of Loch Resort

A view across the shallow end of Loch Resort to include the Gamekeepers Cottage at Luachair with the higher hills behind. We then began looking for a suitable landing spot for the RIB tender to land so that we could climb Benisval.

Rude Health

Loch Leatha seen from the eastern slopes of Beinn Isobhal

A view of the deserted interior of the Morsgail Deer Forest seen from the eastern slopes of Beinn Isobhal.

Marc Calhoun

In Glen Ulladale

The Abhainn Thabhsaigh drains Glen Ulladale and the view upstream is dominated by the overhanging face of Sron Ulladale.

Julian Paren

Benisval Cairn and Trig Point

Benisval is a remote on the Isle of Lewis to the north of Loch Resort. It is a HuMP with a prominence of 108 metres and a height of 189 metres. We used a RIB to motor down Loch Resort from Huisinis.

Rude Health

Captain Alan Holmes Has Landed

Captain Alan Holmes has landed after a RIB trip up Loch Resort and is ready to climb Benisival. The RIB was driven by Neil James Macaulay from Islands of Adventure, Great Bernera.

Rude Health

View Towards Taran MÃ²r

A photo from below the trig point towards a distant Taran Mòr, the entrance to Loch Resort and beyond.

Rude Health

A View Towards Teinnasval

A view from Benisval towards three hills climbed earlier on the trip. Left to right, Tamanaisval, 467 metres, a HuMP and a P108 hill; Teinnasval, 497 metres, a HuMP and a P131 hill and Tahaval, 515 metres, a Marilyn and a P252 hill.

Rude Health

The path from Direascal to Kinlochresort

The path from Direascal to Kinlochresort was an ambitious undertaking that had not been completed when they had to abandon Direascal in 1900. When they started building the path, workers from Luachair and Direascal met at the halfway point, and each group started building a path back to their respective villages. By the time they left in 1900, the Direascal men had made good progress; the path ended on the hillside, 200 yards east of the village. But work stopped on the other section a half mile from Luachair.

Marc Calhoun