Sgeir a' Bhanca

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Sgeir a' Bhanca

Eriskay, seen from Rubha Mealabhaig on South Uist Eriskay is a fairly small island, perhaps best known as the location of &quot;Whisky Galore&quot;. Its summit is Beinn Sciathan, 185m in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NF7911">NF7911</a>. The causeway from South Uist can be seen on the right, and beyond Eriskay is the island of Barra. — Eriskay, seen from Rubha Mealabhaig on South Uist Credit: Michael Earnshaw

Sgeir a' Bhanca is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Inverness-shire in Scotland. It is situated in the innermost part of Loch Eriboll, a scenic sea loch on the country's northwestern coast. The island is roughly 0.14 hectares in size and is known for its distinctive rocky terrain and abundant wildlife.

The name Sgeir a' Bhanca translates to "the rock of the bench" in Gaelic, which aptly describes the island's appearance. It is primarily composed of rugged, exposed rocks that jut out from the surrounding water, creating a unique and picturesque landscape. The rocks are covered in various types of marine vegetation, contributing to the island's ecological diversity.

Despite its small size, Sgeir a' Bhanca is an important site for seabirds. The island's cliffs and ledges provide nesting grounds for species such as guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. These birds can often be seen perched on the rocks or diving into the water in search of food.

Visitors to Sgeir a' Bhanca can access the island by boat, as there are no regular ferry services or accommodations available. It is a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts who appreciate the island's remote and untouched beauty. However, it is important to note that Sgeir a' Bhanca is a protected area, so visitors should adhere to any restrictions or guidelines in place to preserve the island's fragile ecosystem.

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Sgeir a' Bhanca Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.092767/-7.2932741 or Grid Reference NF7912. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eriskay, seen from Rubha Mealabhaig on South Uist

Eriskay is a fairly small island, perhaps best known as the location of "Whisky Galore". Its summit is Beinn Sciathan, 185m in NF7911. The causeway from South Uist can be seen on the right, and beyond Eriskay is the island of Barra.

Michael Earnshaw

Sound of Eriskay shoreline

The south coast of South Uist: low down the vegetation is a mix of heather and bracken with quite a few brambles.

Richard Webb

RÃ²isinis

Caolas Eirisgeigh, the Sound of Eriskay with a view over Calbhaigh (the island where the whisky exporting SS Politician ended up) from South Uist. Ròisinis has several ruins and a path in from the now inhabited part of Eriskay.

Richard Webb

Southern shore of South Uist

White sandy beach and gneiss outcrops on the Sound of Eriskay.

Richard Webb

Southern shore of South Uist

Gneiss outcropping on the Sound of Eriskay.

Richard Webb

Calbhaigh and Caolas Eirisgeigh

The small island between Eriskay and South Uist was the last resting place of the SS Politician and a large, but rapidly diminishing cargo of whisky. A view from Roineabhal on South Uist of the sea east of the Eriskay Causeway.

Richard Webb

Calbhaigh

The eastern side of the island.

Richard Webb

Path, south coast of South Uist

A faint path speeds progress along the coast.

Richard Webb

Blackface lambs

Moorland grazing on the south coast of South Uist.

Richard Webb

Fishbox

Washed up on the shores of the Sound of Eriskay, a Royal Greenland fishbox, property of the government of Kalaallit Nunaat. There were quite a few here from several places.

Richard Webb

RÃ²isinis

The northeastern corner of Eriskay.

Richard Webb

Beinn Sciathan on Eriskay/Eiriosgaigh

View from South Uist.

Sandy Gerrard

Rear of Stone Commemorating opening of Eriskay Causeway in 2002

Sandy Gerrard

Causeway between Eriskay and South Uist

View from South Uist.

Sandy Gerrard

Tide turning on an Eriskay beach

The tide is just lapping at the outer rocks on the beach.

AlastairG

Tide creeping up on an Eriskay shoreline

The same rocky gully as in NF7811 : Tide turning on an Eriskay beach two hours later, after an outdoor meal at the local restaurant. Just enough breeze to keep the midges away.

AlastairG

Rubha Chlaidh on Eriskay

Translating as 'the headland of the graveyard' it's easy to see why as the graveyard is on the top of the grassy rise. This beach is the one Peter May, in his book "The Lewis Man", calls Charlie's Beach. See also NF7811 : Rubha Chlaidh for another view of the beach.

AlastairG