Sgeir a' Langa

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Sgeir a' Langa

West coast of Great Bernera This is the west side of a spit of land extending south of Tobson. The ground is rocky with a thin covering of grass.

In the distance, on the left is the tip of the island of Pabaigh Mor .. and on the right Geodha Mor (west of Tobson).
West coast of Great Bernera Credit: Rob Burke

Sgeir a' Langa is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Ross-shire, in the northern part of Scotland. It is situated in the Inner Sound, which separates the mainland from the Isle of Skye. The island is part of the Highland council area and is known for its rugged beauty and diverse wildlife.

Covering an area of approximately 1.5 hectares, Sgeir a' Langa is a rocky island composed mainly of basalt. Its name translates to "rock of the longship" in Gaelic, reflecting its historical association with Viking longships that used the island as a navigational marker.

The island is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest in the rocky cliffs and provide a stunning display of avian life during the breeding season. Seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks surrounding the island, while dolphins and porpoises frequently swim in the surrounding waters.

Due to its small size and lack of permanent structures, there are no facilities or accommodations on Sgeir a' Langa. However, the island is a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, who can reach it by boat or kayak from nearby coastal towns such as Plockton or Kyle of Lochalsh.

Sgeir a' Langa offers visitors a chance to experience the untamed beauty of Scotland's coastal wilderness and observe its rich biodiversity in a pristine and unspoiled environment.

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Sgeir a' Langa Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.223464/-6.8666957 or Grid Reference NB1436. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

West coast of Great Bernera This is the west side of a spit of land extending south of Tobson. The ground is rocky with a thin covering of grass.

In the distance, on the left is the tip of the island of Pabaigh Mor .. and on the right Geodha Mor (west of Tobson).
West coast of Great Bernera
This is the west side of a spit of land extending south of Tobson. The ground is rocky with a thin covering of grass. In the distance, on the left is the tip of the island of Pabaigh Mor .. and on the right Geodha Mor (west of Tobson).
Camas Sanndaig Looking across the bay. In the distance is the low island of Pabaigh Mor with the headland of Bhaltos beyond.

A bundle of fencing wire is abandoned in the rocky gully above the sea.
Camas Sanndaig
Looking across the bay. In the distance is the low island of Pabaigh Mor with the headland of Bhaltos beyond. A bundle of fencing wire is abandoned in the rocky gully above the sea.
Beach north of Bhalasaigh
Beach north of Bhalasaigh
Sea loch west of Loch Veiravat Although it isn't obvious from here, this is the start of a long channel that leads out to the sea.
Sea loch west of Loch Veiravat
Although it isn't obvious from here, this is the start of a long channel that leads out to the sea.
Moorland and loch on Great Bernera The loch is unnamed on the map, but the Allt Loch an Fheoir flows into it, so this must be Loch an Fheoir.

The houses in the distance are on the road south of Bhalasaigh.
Moorland and loch on Great Bernera
The loch is unnamed on the map, but the Allt Loch an Fheoir flows into it, so this must be Loch an Fheoir. The houses in the distance are on the road south of Bhalasaigh.
Waymarked coastal walk There are clear waymarks on the route from the community centre to Bosta on Great Bernera. Return by the same route or on the road.
Waymarked coastal walk
There are clear waymarks on the route from the community centre to Bosta on Great Bernera. Return by the same route or on the road.
Bridge at Bhalasaigh Looking back to the road end on the main island of Great Bernera.
Bridge at Bhalasaigh
Looking back to the road end on the main island of Great Bernera.
West coast of Great Bernera A complicated coastline with many interesting features.
West coast of Great Bernera
A complicated coastline with many interesting features.
War Memorial, Breacleit The memorial stands on a mound at the crossroads in the centre of Breacleit / Breaclete, the capital of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. On the skyline is the Bernera Community Centre.
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War Memorial, Breacleit
The memorial stands on a mound at the crossroads in the centre of Breacleit / Breaclete, the capital of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. On the skyline is the Bernera Community Centre. LinkExternal link
Breacleit, Bernera Summer flowers, church and school in the village centre.
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Breacleit, Bernera
Summer flowers, church and school in the village centre. LinkExternal link
Loch Ionail Freshwater loch on the island of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh.
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Loch Ionail
Freshwater loch on the island of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. LinkExternal link
Tob Bhalasaigh Tidal lagoon with a mix of rare seaweeds on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh.
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Tob Bhalasaigh
Tidal lagoon with a mix of rare seaweeds on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. LinkExternal link
Valasay Bridge Carrying the single track road across an outlet of the tidal lagoon, Tob Bhalasaigh on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh.
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Valasay Bridge
Carrying the single track road across an outlet of the tidal lagoon, Tob Bhalasaigh on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. LinkExternal link
Shoreline at Tob Bhalasaigh Rocks and heather at the edge of the tidal lagoon in Valasay.
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Shoreline at Tob Bhalasaigh
Rocks and heather at the edge of the tidal lagoon in Valasay. LinkExternal link
Valasay Footbridge The bridge across the tidal Tob Bhalasaigh was built in 1898.
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Valasay Footbridge
The bridge across the tidal Tob Bhalasaigh was built in 1898. LinkExternal link
Tidal Lagoon, Valasay Tob Bhalasaigh, on the island of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh.
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Tidal Lagoon, Valasay
Tob Bhalasaigh, on the island of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. LinkExternal link
Tob Bhalasaigh from the Footbridge View northwards, along the narrow tidal lagoon, to Tobson 2 kilometres away in the distance.
Tob Bhalasaigh from the Footbridge
View northwards, along the narrow tidal lagoon, to Tobson 2 kilometres away in the distance.
Poll Ula On the indistinct coastal path along the west coast of great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. Well placed wooden marker posts are easy to follow.
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Poll Ula
On the indistinct coastal path along the west coast of great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. Well placed wooden marker posts are easy to follow. LinkExternal link
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Sgeir a' Langa is located at Grid Ref: NB1436 (Lat: 58.223464, Lng: -6.8666957)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///behave.bypassed.waggled. Near Carloway, Na h-Eileanan Siar

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.223464,-6.8666957
Valasay self-catering
Tourism: guest_house
Lat/Long: 58.2253325/-6.8596236
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 58.2245314/-6.8597119
Turning Circle
Lat/Long: 58.2254227/-6.8604192
Bhalasaigh
Name En: Valasay
Name Gd: Bhalasaigh
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 58.2250312/-6.8603401
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.2242073/-6.8588164
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.2245708/-6.8600897
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.2249526/-6.8618618
Great Bernera Walk
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.2272748/-6.8676173
Great Bernera Walk
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.2255488/-6.8640656
Great Bernera Walk
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.227296/-6.8665478
Great Bernera Walk
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.227162/-6.865571
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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