Lodan Beag

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Argyllshire

Scotland

Lodan Beag

Disused quarry at Rubha na h-Airde Mòire
Disused quarry at Rubha na h-Airde Mòire Credit: Mick Garratt

Lodan Beag is a coastal marsh and saltings located in Argyllshire, Scotland. It is situated on the western coast of the country, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This area is characterized by its unique ecosystem and diverse range of flora and fauna.

The marsh is a mix of wetlands, mudflats, and saltmarshes, with their formation being influenced by the tides. The combination of freshwater and saltwater creates a brackish environment, which is home to a variety of plant species such as sea lavender, sea aster, and saltmarsh grasses. These plants have adapted to tolerate the high salt content and periodic flooding.

In addition to the plant life, Lodan Beag is also a vital habitat for numerous bird species. It serves as a feeding ground for wading birds like curlews, oystercatchers, and redshanks, as well as a nesting site for species like common terns and eiders. During migration periods, the marsh attracts a wide range of bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The marsh also plays an important role in the local ecosystem by acting as a buffer against coastal erosion and providing a natural filtration system for water runoff. It supports a wide range of marine life, including fish, crabs, and mollusks, which thrive in the nutrient-rich environment.

Lodan Beag is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is protected to preserve its ecological importance. Visitors to the area can enjoy the stunning coastal views, observe the diverse wildlife, and appreciate the delicate balance between land and sea in this unique and beautiful coastal marsh.

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Lodan Beag Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.749091/-6.4771898 or Grid Reference NR1959. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Disused quarry at Rubha na h-Airde Mòire
Disused quarry at Rubha na h-Airde Mòire
Kilchiaran Bay
Kilchiaran Bay
Disused military buildings
Disused military buildings
Kilchiaran Bay, Islay With ruined chapel in distance.
Kilchiaran Bay, Islay
With ruined chapel in distance.
Cill Chiarain The church of Saint Ciaron, this church originates from around 1200.
Cill Chiarain
The church of Saint Ciaron, this church originates from around 1200.
Kilchiaran Farm The farmstead of Kilchiaran on the Rinns of Islay.
Kilchiaran Farm
The farmstead of Kilchiaran on the Rinns of Islay.
Kilchiaran chapel Enough remains inside the chapel to visualise it as a place of worship. The mediaeval font is near the west wall and there are still recesses in the east wall behind the reconstructed altar.
Kilchiaran chapel
Enough remains inside the chapel to visualise it as a place of worship. The mediaeval font is near the west wall and there are still recesses in the east wall behind the reconstructed altar.
Ploughing at Kilchiaran Plenty of work on the farm in spring!
Ploughing at Kilchiaran
Plenty of work on the farm in spring!
Harebells at Kilchiaran, Islay
Harebells at Kilchiaran, Islay
Kilchiaran Chapel Restoration in the early 1970s saved this remote chapel from complete ruination.
Kilchiaran Chapel
Restoration in the early 1970s saved this remote chapel from complete ruination.
View to Kilchiaran Bay from the chapel
View to Kilchiaran Bay from the chapel
Ancient font on a modern base The font at Kilchiaran was raised on a new base in the early 1970s.
Ancient font on a modern base
The font at Kilchiaran was raised on a new base in the early 1970s.
Ancient piscina, Kilchiaran Chapel Shallow dish for the washing of holy vessels, in the wall near where once the altar would have been.
Ancient piscina, Kilchiaran Chapel
Shallow dish for the washing of holy vessels, in the wall near where once the altar would have been.
Pair of choughs on the crags by Kilchiaran The chough is on the RSPB amber list, see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/chough/index.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/chough/index.aspx">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> . Kilchiaran Farm is involved in a scheme to encourage the birds to flourish on Islay, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/700160">NR2060 : Kilchiaran Farm Information Board</a>.
Pair of choughs on the crags by Kilchiaran
The chough is on the RSPB amber list, see LinkExternal link . Kilchiaran Farm is involved in a scheme to encourage the birds to flourish on Islay, see NR2060 : Kilchiaran Farm Information Board.
Chough in flight, Kilchiaran The chough is not a common bird, and is being encouraged to flourish on Islay - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3599538">NR2060 : Pair of choughs on the crags by Kilchiaran</a> for RSPB status and further details.
Chough in flight, Kilchiaran
The chough is not a common bird, and is being encouraged to flourish on Islay - see NR2060 : Pair of choughs on the crags by Kilchiaran for RSPB status and further details.
Kilchiaran The farm and nearby housing at Kilchiaran.
Kilchiaran
The farm and nearby housing at Kilchiaran.
Looking towards Coul Point from south of Machir Bay, Islay
Looking towards Coul Point from south of Machir Bay, Islay
Cill Chiarain Chapel The chapel at Kilchiaran dates from the 14th century and has been partly-restored by the Islay Historic Buildings Works Group.
Cill Chiarain Chapel
The chapel at Kilchiaran dates from the 14th century and has been partly-restored by the Islay Historic Buildings Works Group.
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Lodan Beag is located at Grid Ref: NR1959 (Lat: 55.749091, Lng: -6.4771898)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///crystals.novelists.counts. Near Port Charlotte, Argyll & Bute

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.749091,-6.4771898
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 55.7477001/-6.4785078
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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