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Sgeir Phàil Rock

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

Sgeir Phàil Rock

Moorland beside unsurfaced road to RSPB reserve A minor road crosses the peninsula of The Oa eventually becoming unsurfaced and presumably unadopted. It reaches the RSPB reserve after a kilometre or so of rough motoring.
Moorland beside unsurfaced road to RSPB reserve Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Sgeir Phàil Rock is a small uninhabited island located off the west coast of Scotland in Argyllshire. The island is situated in the Sound of Jura, between the larger islands of Islay and Jura. With an area of approximately 5 hectares, it is a rocky outcrop that rises 15 meters above sea level.

The name "Sgeir Phàil" is derived from Gaelic, meaning "rock of the bay," which is a fitting description for the island's rugged and rocky terrain. It is primarily composed of ancient metamorphic rocks, giving it a distinctive appearance. The surrounding waters are known for their strong tidal currents, making navigation around the island challenging.

Despite its small size, Sgeir Phàil Rock is an important site for birdlife. It is a designated Special Protection Area due to its nesting colonies of seabirds, including kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. These seabirds find refuge on the cliffs and rocky ledges of the island, where they breed and rear their young.

While the island itself is not accessible to the public, it can be observed from boats or ferries passing through the Sound of Jura. Its rugged beauty and abundant birdlife make it a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Overall, Sgeir Phàil Rock is a small but significant island in Argyllshire, known for its rocky terrain, strong tidal currents, and diverse seabird population.

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Sgeir Phàil Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.609521/-6.3324967 or Grid Reference NR2743. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Moorland beside unsurfaced road to RSPB reserve A minor road crosses the peninsula of The Oa eventually becoming unsurfaced and presumably unadopted. It reaches the RSPB reserve after a kilometre or so of rough motoring.
Moorland beside unsurfaced road to RSPB reserve
A minor road crosses the peninsula of The Oa eventually becoming unsurfaced and presumably unadopted. It reaches the RSPB reserve after a kilometre or so of rough motoring.
Low hill on rough grazing from path to American Monument A path runs from the RSPB reserve at The Oa to the American Monument passing the low hill at the centre of the image on its south side.
Low hill on rough grazing from path to American Monument
A path runs from the RSPB reserve at The Oa to the American Monument passing the low hill at the centre of the image on its south side.
Old field boundary Grassed over dyke, Upper Killeyan.
Old field boundary
Grassed over dyke, Upper Killeyan.
Wetland, Upper Killeyan Beside the path to the American Monument.
Wetland, Upper Killeyan
Beside the path to the American Monument.
Path from the American Monument A waymarked path on the Mull of Oa.
Path from the American Monument
A waymarked path on the Mull of Oa.
Path to the American Monument The wet path at the Mull of Oa is being upgraded but there are still some very wet bits.
Path to the American Monument
The wet path at the Mull of Oa is being upgraded but there are still some very wet bits.
Coastal heath, Mull of Oa The west side of the Mull of Oa.
Coastal heath, Mull of Oa
The west side of the Mull of Oa.
Bog near Kinnabus Peat cuttings.
Bog near Kinnabus
Peat cuttings.
The American Monument on the Mull of Oa This is the monument to the large number of drowned Americans, who perished when their troopships sank in 1918. This ships were the Tuscania and the Otranto. There were two separate sinkings and large loss of life in each. The monument is built in the shape of a lighthouse and has a large plaque describing the situation.
The American Monument on the Mull of Oa
This is the monument to the large number of drowned Americans, who perished when their troopships sank in 1918. This ships were the Tuscania and the Otranto. There were two separate sinkings and large loss of life in each. The monument is built in the shape of a lighthouse and has a large plaque describing the situation.
Cliffs at the Mull of Oa These are the Oa cliffs looking north.
Cliffs at the Mull of Oa
These are the Oa cliffs looking north.
Car Park at the start of the route to the American Monument, Islay The route starts out as a track leaving the car park at the far end. Soon after this point a path leading to the American Monument leaves the track.
Car Park at the start of the route to the American Monument, Islay
The route starts out as a track leaving the car park at the far end. Soon after this point a path leading to the American Monument leaves the track.
Kissing Gate on the Path to the American Monument, Islay It's amazing how many different ways there are for opening gates and kissing gates. This was one of the more common ones.
Kissing Gate on the Path to the American Monument, Islay
It's amazing how many different ways there are for opening gates and kissing gates. This was one of the more common ones.
Cliffs at the Mull of Oa, Islay Cliffs just to the west of the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5831864">NR2741 : American Monument and Trig Point at the Mull of Oa, Islay</a>.
Cliffs at the Mull of Oa, Islay
Cliffs just to the west of the NR2741 : American Monument and Trig Point at the Mull of Oa, Islay.
Mull of Oa View The spectacular cliffs on the Mull of Oa, Islay’s southern point. This view looks northward to Rubha Leac nan Laogh and Rubha Leacan Bànaig.
Mull of Oa View
The spectacular cliffs on the Mull of Oa, Islay’s southern point. This view looks northward to Rubha Leac nan Laogh and Rubha Leacan Bànaig.
Moorland At The Mull Of Oa Lower Killeyan is shown in the background on the right.
Moorland At The Mull Of Oa
Lower Killeyan is shown in the background on the right.
Killeyan Moorland View The settlement of Lower Killeyan is shown in the background, in the next square.
Killeyan Moorland View
The settlement of Lower Killeyan is shown in the background, in the next square.
Birdwatching On The Oa This popular birdwatching area is managed by the RSPB.
Birdwatching On The Oa
This popular birdwatching area is managed by the RSPB.
Cill Eathain The site near Killeyan lies on a natural terrace on the south bank of Abhainn Ghil. The roughly circular site enclosed by low turfed stony mounds contains the ruin of a medieval chapel.
Cill Eathain
The site near Killeyan lies on a natural terrace on the south bank of Abhainn Ghil. The roughly circular site enclosed by low turfed stony mounds contains the ruin of a medieval chapel.
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Sgeir Phàil Rock is located at Grid Ref: NR2743 (Lat: 55.609521, Lng: -6.3324967)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///dean.employ.corrode. Near Port Ellen, Argyll & Bute

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