Sgeir a' Mharich

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Sgeir a' Mharich

Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha Abandoned lobster loading hardstandings at the lobster pond. — Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha Credit: Gus Macdonald

Sgeir a' Mharich is a small island located off the coast of Ross-shire in the Highlands of Scotland. The island is situated in the Inner Sound, between the Isle of Skye and the mainland. It is an uninhabited rocky outcrop that covers an area of less than one hectare.

Sgeir a' Mharich is known for its rugged and dramatic landscape. The island is characterized by steep cliffs and jagged rock formations, and it is surrounded by clear blue waters. It is also home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest on the cliffs.

Access to Sgeir a' Mharich is limited due to its remote location and lack of facilities. The island is primarily visited by birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, who are drawn to its unique ecosystem and the opportunity to observe a diverse range of bird species in their natural habitat.

The island is best accessed by boat, with several tour operators offering trips to Sgeir a' Mharich from nearby ports. Visitors are advised to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, as the terrain can be uneven and slippery.

Overall, Sgeir a' Mharich is a stunning and secluded island, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the Scottish coastline and providing a haven for a variety of seabirds.

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Sgeir a' Mharich Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.234852/-6.8307691 or Grid Reference NB1637. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old hardstandings at Tob Blar Meadha

Abandoned lobster loading hardstandings at the lobster pond.

Gus Macdonald

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.

Rob Burke

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. Link

Colin Smith

Breacleit, Bernera

Summer flowers, church and school in the village centre. Link

Colin Smith

Loch Ionail

Freshwater loch on the island of Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. Link

Colin Smith

Loch Tana

Small freshwater loch on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh with a single track road running alongside it. Link

Colin Smith

Loch Tana from the South

Freshwater loch with drystane dyke and single track road, Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. Link

Colin Smith

Loch Ruig Sanndabhat

Small and reedy freshwater loch below the slopes of Beinn Breacleit, Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. Link

Colin Smith

Crofters' Memorial Cairn, Great Bernera

Erected in memory of April 1874 when local crofters marched to Lews Castle in Stornoway. They were protesting to Sir James Matheson that they had received eviction notices after using the moorland for centuries. The gentry wanted to use it for leisure / sport. Link

Colin Smith

Lochan Below Beinn Breacleit

Reedy lochan with rocky hillside, south-east of the Crofters' Memorial on Great Bernera / Bearnaraigh. Link

Colin Smith

Breacleit church and war memorial

Breacleit (or Breaclete) is the largest settlement on Great Bernera, an island off the west coast of Lewis attached to that larger island by a bridge. The little church seen here looks to date from the late C19th or early C20th. To its right can be seen the Bernera War Memorial Link

Behind the church can be seen a little of Loch Breacleit.

Rob Farrow

The road to Tacleit

For anyone who enjoys driving, this is rather a wonderful sight - a well-maintained twisty lane through open countryside with wonderful views. The lane leads to the settlement of Tacleit from the village of Breacleit on Great Bernera.

Rob Farrow

View to the mountains of Harris

The massive bulk of the mountains of North Harris command the view southwest from Breacleit on Great Bernera.

Rob Farrow

Road into Breacleit from Bostadh

Jo and Steve Turner

View across Loch Geal towards Breacleit

David Martin

Breacleit explosion sunset

Gus Macdonald

Quarry at Buaile Chruidh

An old quarry where hard Lewisian gneiss was extracted to construct not only many houses in the village but also public buildings seen in the background such as Bernera School, The Church of Scotland and the Free Kirk.

Gus Macdonald