Sgeir Leathan

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

Sgeir Leathan

Torran Cottage On Iona.
Torran Cottage Credit: Andrew Abbott

Sgeir Leathan is a small uninhabited island located off the west coast of Scotland in Argyllshire. Situated in the Inner Hebrides, it is part of the broader group of islands known as the Slate Islands. Sgeir Leathan is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs rising from the surrounding waters.

Covering an area of approximately 0.15 square kilometers, Sgeir Leathan is relatively small in size. Its highest point reaches an elevation of around 43 meters. The island is predominantly composed of slate, which gives it a distinctive dark appearance, contrasting with the bright blue waters that surround it.

Due to its remote location and lack of any significant vegetation, Sgeir Leathan is home to a limited number of wildlife species. Seabirds such as gannets, guillemots, and puffins can be found nesting on the cliffs, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers. The surrounding waters are also known to host a variety of marine life, including seals and dolphins.

While there are no permanent human residents on Sgeir Leathan, the island attracts some visitors who are drawn to its untamed natural beauty. However, access to the island can be challenging, and it is recommended to approach by boat rather than attempting to land directly. The island's remote location and lack of facilities make it a destination for those seeking solitude and a chance to immerse themselves in the rugged wilderness of the Scottish coast.

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Sgeir Leathan Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.328812/-6.4273553 or Grid Reference NM2623. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Torran Cottage On Iona.
Torran Cottage
On Iona.
Iona Golf Course On the western side of the island.
Iona Golf Course
On the western side of the island.
Towards Iona Golf Course From Skerryvore.
Towards Iona Golf Course
From Skerryvore.
Gateway by Skerryvore Leading to Iona Golf Course.
Gateway by Skerryvore
Leading to Iona Golf Course.
Machair house On Iona
Machair house
On Iona
Clachancorrach House On Iona.
Clachancorrach House
On Iona.
Road in Sligneach On Iona.
Road in Sligneach
On Iona.
Seileastair House On Iona.
Seileastair House
On Iona.
Sandbank on Iona By Mary Foster Arnold Architects.
Sandbank on Iona
By Mary Foster Arnold Architects.
Iona Nunnery The  Nunnery was an Augustinian convent.  It was incorporated at a date after the founding of the nearby Benedictine monastery, which was established in 1203.
Iona Nunnery
The Nunnery was an Augustinian convent. It was incorporated at a date after the founding of the nearby Benedictine monastery, which was established in 1203.
Dropping down to Tràigh Mhòr There's just a tiny fraction of Iona that isn't under the cosh of the National Trust for Scotland, and this is part of it. The result, however, is that it is well fenced off from the NTS domains, which are a little inaccessible to anyone who has visited this corner to get the Tràigh Mhòr bit of land in NM2824. The solution was to return to the beach via this descent and walk all the way back round to the road.
Dropping down to Tràigh Mhòr
There's just a tiny fraction of Iona that isn't under the cosh of the National Trust for Scotland, and this is part of it. The result, however, is that it is well fenced off from the NTS domains, which are a little inaccessible to anyone who has visited this corner to get the Tràigh Mhòr bit of land in NM2824. The solution was to return to the beach via this descent and walk all the way back round to the road.
Cairn at Tràigh Mhòr A small part of Iona free of the National Trust for Scotland, above Tràigh Mhòr this little grassy peninsula south of Sligneach sports a jolly cairn and looks as though it has been used as a picnic spot.
Cairn at Tràigh Mhòr
A small part of Iona free of the National Trust for Scotland, above Tràigh Mhòr this little grassy peninsula south of Sligneach sports a jolly cairn and looks as though it has been used as a picnic spot.
Cross country on the north of Iona The one fully land-locked grid square on Iona is rough terrain with various prehistoric defensible remains and lots of good viewpoints perched on rocky tors. Compared with the coast, it seems little frequented (and very boggy underfoot with various fences deflecting one from the obvious directions of travel). Frequent it we must, however, as this was my final square to complete coverage of my first inhabited island for geograph.
Cross country on the north of Iona
The one fully land-locked grid square on Iona is rough terrain with various prehistoric defensible remains and lots of good viewpoints perched on rocky tors. Compared with the coast, it seems little frequented (and very boggy underfoot with various fences deflecting one from the obvious directions of travel). Frequent it we must, however, as this was my final square to complete coverage of my first inhabited island for geograph.
Iona coastline The north-west coastline of Iona, with rock of the Lewisian Gneiss type evident. This is one of Britain's oldest rocks, and was formed approximately 2,000 million years ago.
Iona coastline
The north-west coastline of Iona, with rock of the Lewisian Gneiss type evident. This is one of Britain's oldest rocks, and was formed approximately 2,000 million years ago.
North-west Iona The north-western area of Iona, viewed towards Dun I, the highest point on the island.
North-west Iona
The north-western area of Iona, viewed towards Dun I, the highest point on the island.
Iona coastline The western coastline of Iona near Camas Cuil an t-Saimh, with Eilean Didil visible in the distance.
Iona coastline
The western coastline of Iona near Camas Cuil an t-Saimh, with Eilean Didil visible in the distance.
Sheep-worrying, Iona Despite its small size, this canine fiend caused considerable distress to sheep on western Iona.
Sheep-worrying, Iona
Despite its small size, this canine fiend caused considerable distress to sheep on western Iona.
Walking on Iona Visitors are not permitted to take their cars on to the Island, so the only way to get around is to walk or cycle. This is the route from the pier to the beaches on the west coast of the island.
Walking on Iona
Visitors are not permitted to take their cars on to the Island, so the only way to get around is to walk or cycle. This is the route from the pier to the beaches on the west coast of the island.
Show me another place!

Sgeir Leathan is located at Grid Ref: NM2623 (Lat: 56.328812, Lng: -6.4273553)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///exacts.submerged.slipped. Near Fionnphort, Argyll & Bute

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.328812,-6.4273553
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3292079/-6.4291877
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3290959/-6.4301854
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3295111/-6.429448
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3294422/-6.4288993
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3293765/-6.4289346
Created By: dmgroom_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.32935/-6.42897
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3293899/-6.4308606
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3296618/-6.4306347
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3296032/-6.4303237
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3293532/-6.4303437
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3275957/-6.4328586
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3277248/-6.4331718
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3279877/-6.4330183
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3280738/-6.432799
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3280967/-6.4326618
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3282386/-6.4321385
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3282349/-6.4319907
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3278114/-6.4322156
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3302528/-6.4258729
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3304108/-6.4260597
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3305781/-6.4264273
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3312192/-6.4275233
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3313326/-6.429728
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3305662/-6.4308383
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3303726/-6.4314597
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3303382/-6.4330894
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3303643/-6.4336107
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3304119/-6.4336401
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3306615/-6.4345923
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3310772/-6.4334783
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3314636/-6.4310907
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 56.3314386/-6.430382
Camas Cùil an t-Saimh
Natural: bay
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 56.3267512/-6.4304311
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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