1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Na h-Eileanan an Iar
  5. Ross-shire
  6. Mala Sgeir

Mala Sgeir

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Mala Sgeir

Slipway and winch at Camas Mol Linnis The slipway is very steep and the winch must have made all the difference.
Slipway and winch at Camas Mol Linnis Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Mala Sgeir is a small uninhabited island located in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the northwest coast of Scotland, in Ross-shire. The island is part of the Outer Hebrides archipelago. With an area of only 5 acres (2 hectares), Mala Sgeir is a rocky islet with no vegetation cover. It is situated approximately 43 miles (69 kilometers) northwest of the mainland.

The island is known for its significant bird population, particularly seabirds. Mala Sgeir is an important breeding ground for species such as the common guillemot, razorbills, and puffins. Due to its remote location and lack of human presence, the island provides a safe haven for these bird species to nest and rear their young.

Historically, Mala Sgeir has also been known for its treacherous and rocky terrain, making it hazardous for ships passing through the area. The island's name, which translates to "rocky islet" in Scottish Gaelic, reflects this characteristic.

Given its small size and lack of amenities, Mala Sgeir is not accessible to visitors. However, it is sometimes included in boat tours or wildlife excursions that explore the surrounding waters and nearby islands in the region.

In summary, Mala Sgeir is an uninhabited rocky islet off the coast of Ross-shire, Scotland. It is renowned for its diverse seabird population and serves as an important breeding ground for several species.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Mala Sgeir Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.103306/-7.1133369 or Grid Reference NA9824. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Slipway and winch at Camas Mol Linnis The slipway is very steep and the winch must have made all the difference.
Slipway and winch at Camas Mol Linnis
The slipway is very steep and the winch must have made all the difference.
Grèineam viewed from Mealasta
Grèineam viewed from Mealasta
Mol Foirs Geòdha A small beach by Western Isles standards.
Mol Foirs Geòdha
A small beach by Western Isles standards.
Abhainn Ruadh Tumbling from the western slopes of the Lewis mountains towards the Atlantic
Abhainn Ruadh
Tumbling from the western slopes of the Lewis mountains towards the Atlantic
Looking west from Taireabhal This hill is near the end of civilisation in Lewis.
Looking west from Taireabhal
This hill is near the end of civilisation in Lewis.
On the far west of Lewis At Mealasta looking towards the island of Grèineam.
On the far west of Lewis
At Mealasta looking towards the island of Grèineam.
Looking south from Mealasta The larger island in the middle distance is Eileen Mhealasta. Beyond that is Scarp.
Looking south from Mealasta
The larger island in the middle distance is Eileen Mhealasta. Beyond that is Scarp.
The end of the road from Uig The road on the west side of Lewis ends at this remote jetty with a view out over Camas Mol Linnis. The map carries a name Totarol nearby but I'm unable to establish to what that refers.
The end of the road from Uig
The road on the west side of Lewis ends at this remote jetty with a view out over Camas Mol Linnis. The map carries a name Totarol nearby but I'm unable to establish to what that refers.
At the end of the road south of Mealasta Remains of concrete structures suggest busier times here in the past at this very remote location. The distant peak appears to be Naideabhal a Staigh <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NB012235">NB012235</a>.
At the end of the road south of Mealasta
Remains of concrete structures suggest busier times here in the past at this very remote location. The distant peak appears to be Naideabhal a Staigh NB012235.
Outcropping rock at Mealasta Looking towards Cracabhal.
Outcropping rock at Mealasta
Looking towards Cracabhal.
Truncated rainbow above Cracabhal Viewed from Mealasta.
Truncated rainbow above Cracabhal
Viewed from Mealasta.
South of Breanais With evidence of light cultivation/crofting near the foreshore.
South of Breanais
With evidence of light cultivation/crofting near the foreshore.
The road through Breanais A scattered but surprisingly populous village which has a considerable evidence of crofting, but probably a lot less carried out now than in the past. No great evidence of fishing, no doubt inhibited by the lack of shelter from the Atlantic.
The road through Breanais
A scattered but surprisingly populous village which has a considerable evidence of crofting, but probably a lot less carried out now than in the past. No great evidence of fishing, no doubt inhibited by the lack of shelter from the Atlantic.
Rough common grazing at Breanais
Rough common grazing at Breanais
Allt Hatasaidh reaching the Atlantic
Allt Hatasaidh reaching the Atlantic
Flotsam washed up at Mealasta, Isle of Lewis The island is Grèineam. Other Geograph contributors have told me that the item is probably a fender, possibly one which would be used between a submarine and a harbour wall. The distance the item is from the shore illustrates the ferocity of the storms experienced by the west coast of Lewis.
Flotsam washed up at Mealasta, Isle of Lewis
The island is Grèineam. Other Geograph contributors have told me that the item is probably a fender, possibly one which would be used between a submarine and a harbour wall. The distance the item is from the shore illustrates the ferocity of the storms experienced by the west coast of Lewis.
Site of horizontal mill on the Abhainn Ruadh, Isle of Lewis The pile of stone blocks in the centre of the photo on the other side of the stream are remains of the mill. It is shown as a ruin on the 1st Edition OS map surveyed in 1852-53.
Site of horizontal mill on the Abhainn Ruadh, Isle of Lewis
The pile of stone blocks in the centre of the photo on the other side of the stream are remains of the mill. It is shown as a ruin on the 1st Edition OS map surveyed in 1852-53.
Clapper bridge near Camus Mol Linnis, Isle of Lewis The two hills in the centre of the horizon are Laibheal a Tuath and Lasibheal a Deas. The bridge carries the road to Camus Mol Linnis over the Abhainn Hotaroil.
Clapper bridge near Camus Mol Linnis, Isle of Lewis
The two hills in the centre of the horizon are Laibheal a Tuath and Lasibheal a Deas. The bridge carries the road to Camus Mol Linnis over the Abhainn Hotaroil.
Show me another place!

Mala Sgeir is located at Grid Ref: NA9824 (Lat: 58.103306, Lng: -7.1133369)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///united.deranged.tweeted. Near Carloway, Na h-Eileanan Siar

Nearby Locations

Gàradh Droma Rubha Dubh Ghrèineim Boga Leathann Grèineam Sgeir Ghobhlach Sgeir nan Sgarbh

Related Wikis

Mealista
Mealista

Mealista (Scottish Gaelic: Mealasta) was a township in the west of the Isle of Lewis. It is currently largely uninhabited due to the Highland Clearances...

Game pieces of the Lewis chessmen hoard
Game pieces of the Lewis chessmen hoard

Game pieces of the Lewis chessmen hoard include the ninety-three game pieces of the Lewis chessmen hoard found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides...

Brenish
Brenish

Brenish (Scottish Gaelic: Brèinis) is a small village situated on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, which is part of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland...

Eilean Mhealasta
Eilean Mhealasta

Eilean Mhealasta (Mealista Island) is an uninhabited island off the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It takes its name from Mealista...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.103306,-7.1133369
Created By: dmgroom_coastlines
Lat/Long: 58.10574/-7.11162
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 58.1030952/-7.1079794
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Mealasta
Alt Name Gd: Mealastadh
Name En: Mealista
Name Gd: Mealasta
Note: Listed as a locality because it is presumed to be uninhabited
Place: locality
Wikidata: Q367320
Wikipedia: en:Mealista
Lat/Long: 58.104507/-7.1090288
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Buaile Fainis
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.1007035/-7.1111724
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Sgeir Isgean Ross-shire
Stac na h-Aibhne Ross-shire

Have you been to Mala Sgeir?

Leave your review of Mala Sgeir below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy