Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Ross-shire

Scotland

Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh

Thatched Cottage on Loch Duich Although I have stated that this cottage is on Loch Duich this bit of the pebble beach might actually be the beginning of the banks of Loch Alsh. The sea loch changes its name at some indeterminate point about here when its direction near enough follows a 90° bend. Loch Alsh is the bit nearest the sea.
A large proportion of the properties round here are either bed and breakfasts or self-catering. This one was obviously self-catering, and is part of a small collection of houses that make up Lower Ardelve.
The houses round here are a strange mix of older ones, which go from fairly dilapidated to very well-maintained, and newer ones, which sometimes blend in but at other times are obviously designed to make a status statement!
So it is quite common to see a showy newbuild next to a very functional home with a corrugated metal roof which could easily be mistaken for a scout hut.
The seaweed on the beech is a type of egg-wrack. Unlike most seaweeds it doesn&#039;t attach itself to pebbles on the beach or seabed. It just floats when the tide comes in. The big length of seaweed in the picture is actually formed from hundreds of individual plants, mostly around two feet long. This type of free-floating egg-wrack can be found at various locations on the West coast of Scotland but apparently right here is one of its hotspots, so to speak. — Thatched Cottage on Loch Duich Credit: Ian Dodds

Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh, located in Ross-shire, Scotland, is a picturesque coastal marsh and saltings area that offers a unique and diverse ecosystem. This coastal wetland is situated where the River Shin meets the North Sea, creating a rich habitat for a variety of plants and wildlife.

The marshland is characterized by its extensive saltmarshes, which are flooded by tidal waters and dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation. Common species found in this area include sea aster, sea lavender, and glasswort, which provide a vibrant display of colors throughout the year. The saltings, on the other hand, are areas of land adjacent to the marshes that are regularly flooded by seawater, making them an important habitat for various waterfowl, wading birds, and marine invertebrates.

Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh is renowned for its significant bird population, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts from all over. The marshes and saltings provide an ideal feeding and resting place for a multitude of bird species, including curlews, redshanks, oystercatchers, and herons. Visitors can witness these birds in their natural habitat, enjoying the peaceful ambiance and breathtaking sights.

In addition to its ecological significance, Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh also holds historical value. The marshes and saltings have been used for centuries by local communities for agriculture, fishing, and salt production. This area serves as a reminder of the traditional practices and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

Overall, Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh in Ross-shire is a captivating coastal marsh and saltings, offering a wealth of biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and a glimpse into the region's rich history. It is a haven for nature lovers and a vital ecosystem worth preserving.

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Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.268935/-5.5357887 or Grid Reference NG8625. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Thatched Cottage on Loch Duich

Although I have stated that this cottage is on Loch Duich this bit of the pebble beach might actually be the beginning of the banks of Loch Alsh. The sea loch changes its name at some indeterminate point about here when its direction near enough follows a 90° bend. Loch Alsh is the bit nearest the sea. A large proportion of the properties round here are either bed and breakfasts or self-catering. This one was obviously self-catering, and is part of a small collection of houses that make up Lower Ardelve. The houses round here are a strange mix of older ones, which go from fairly dilapidated to very well-maintained, and newer ones, which sometimes blend in but at other times are obviously designed to make a status statement! So it is quite common to see a showy newbuild next to a very functional home with a corrugated metal roof which could easily be mistaken for a scout hut. The seaweed on the beech is a type of egg-wrack. Unlike most seaweeds it doesn't attach itself to pebbles on the beach or seabed. It just floats when the tide comes in. The big length of seaweed in the picture is actually formed from hundreds of individual plants, mostly around two feet long. This type of free-floating egg-wrack can be found at various locations on the West coast of Scotland but apparently right here is one of its hotspots, so to speak.

Ian Dodds

Castle Donnan

Matthew Chadwick

A87 near Ardelve

Steven Brown

Minor road to Ardelve

Steven Brown

Eilean Donan

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Donnain) is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh). It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge that was installed early in the 20th century and is dominated by the picturesque Castle Donan; one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland (Link

National Geographic; archived from the original on 25 March 2013). The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie. Government ships destroyed the castle in 1719 in response to the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions. The present-day castle is a 20th-century reconstruction of the old castle; it was built between 1912 and 1932 incorporating some remains of the keep and enclosing walls. It is a Category A listed building (LB 7209 Link

Historic Environment Scotland) and a scheduled monument (SM7575).

David Dixon

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Donnain) is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh). It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge that was installed early in the 20th century and is dominated by the picturesque Castle Donnan; one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland (Link

National Geographic; archived from the original on 25 March 2013). The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie. Government ships destroyed the castle in 1719 in response to the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions. The present-day castle is a 20th-century reconstruction of the old castle that was built between 1912 and 1932 incorporating some remains of the keep and enclosing walls. It is a Category A listed building (LB 7209 Link

Historic Environment Scotland) and a scheduled monument (SM7575).

David Dixon

Castle Donan

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Donnain) is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh). It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge that was installed early in the 20th century and is dominated by the picturesque Castle Donnan; one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland (Link

National Geographic; archived from the original on 25 March 2013). The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie. Government ships destroyed the castle in 1719 in response to the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions. The present-day castle is a 20th-century reconstruction of the old castle that was built between 1912 and 1932 incorporating some remains of the keep and enclosing walls. It is a Category A listed building (LB 7209 Link

Historic Environment Scotland) and a scheduled monument (SM7575).

David Dixon

Loch Duich, Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Donnain) is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh). It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge that was installed early in the 20th century and is dominated by the picturesque Castle Donnan; one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland (Link

National Geographic; archived from the original on 25 March 2013). The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie. Government ships destroyed the castle in 1719 in response to the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions. The present-day castle is a 20th-century reconstruction of the old castle that was built between 1912 and 1932 incorporating some remains of the keep and enclosing walls. It is a Category A listed building (LB 7209 Link

Historic Environment Scotland) and a scheduled monument (SM7575).

David Dixon

Loch Long Bridge (Dornie New Bridge)

The current bridge carrying the A87 across Loch Long between Dornie and Ardelve was opened in 1990, providing a two-way road in place of the narrower old structure a little upstream. It consists of ten spans across the river, supported by pairs of concrete piers under the deck. The old bridge was a single-track concrete structure, which spanned from the middle of Dornie Village to immediately north of the new bridge on the Ardelve side. Nothing now remains of the old bridge, as it was removed soon after the new bridge opened. The new road, bypassing Carr Brae, had been built some years earlier.

David Dixon

Loch Long Shore near Dornie

Looking across Loch Long towards Ardelve Point.

David Dixon

Approaching Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Donnain) is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh). It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge that was installed early in the 20th century and is dominated by the picturesque Castle Donnan; one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland (Link

National Geographic; archived from the original on 25 March 2013). The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie. Government ships destroyed the castle in 1719 in response to the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions. The present-day castle is a 20th-century reconstruction of the old castle that was built between 1912 and 1932 incorporating some remains of the keep and enclosing walls. It is a Category A listed building (LB 7209 Link

Historic Environment Scotland) and a scheduled monument (SM7575).

David Dixon

Eilean Donan Castle, 1989

Nigel Thompson

Rock Face above the A87 and Loch Duich

David Dixon

Manuella's Wee Bakery, Ardelve

David Brown

Eilean Donan castle

John Baker

A87 near Eilean Donan Castle

Steven Brown

A87 near Ardelve

Steven Brown

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh). The island is dominated by a 2oth century replacement of an original 13th century castle. Wikipedia: Link

N Chadwick

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Òb Inbhir Sgeinnidh is located at Grid Ref: NG8625 (Lat: 57.268935, Lng: -5.5357887)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands