Sgeir Mhic Shaoir

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Sgeir Mhic Shaoir

Aird Bheag BhrÃ gair A small area of the rocky headland here is the only land in this square. — Aird Bheag BhrÃ gair Credit: Anne Burgess

Sgeir Mhic Shaoir, also known as Macleod's Skerry, is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Ross-shire, Scotland. Situated in the Inner Sound, it lies approximately 2 kilometers northeast of the village of Applecross. The island is part of the Applecross Estate and is owned by the Applecross Trust.

Sgeir Mhic Shaoir is a rocky islet, stretching about 300 meters in length and 200 meters in width. It is characterized by its rugged terrain and steep cliffs, rising up to 30 meters above sea level. The island is composed of basalt and is home to a variety of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and gulls, who nest on its rocky ledges.

Due to its remote location and lack of vegetation, Sgeir Mhic Shaoir has never been inhabited. However, it has historical significance as it is believed to have been used as a lookout point during the Napoleonic Wars. The island is also known for its natural arch, which can be seen from certain angles.

While Sgeir Mhic Shaoir is not easily accessible to visitors, it can be viewed from the mainland or accessed by boat for those seeking a closer look. Its wild and untouched beauty makes it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

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Sgeir Mhic Shaoir Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.351872/-6.6592304 or Grid Reference NB2749. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Aird Bheag BhrÃ gair

A small area of the rocky headland here is the only land in this square.

Anne Burgess

Aird Bheag BhrÃ gair

This rocky shelf, the rocks on the shore below, and a couple of offshore rocks, are the only land in this square.

Anne Burgess

Sgeir MhÃ²r

The grid line bisects these rock outcrops just off Aird Bheag Bhràgair.

Anne Burgess

Aird Bheag BhrÃ gair

Looking down on the rocky shelf shown in NB2750 : Aird Bheag Bhràgair.

Anne Burgess

Coastline of Lewis

Ralph Greig

Small beach east of Rubha Gharsan

Rob Burke

Iuchair

Like much of this coast, the sea has made deep cuts into the headland. See NB2649 : Coastal rubbish dump for a close up of the old rubbish dump in the nearer cut.

Rob Burke

Coastal rubbish dump

The sea used to be a convenient disposal point for all island rubbish. Here there are the remains of buildings, vehicle parts, and wire fencing,

Rob Burke

Blow hole at Dunan Croir

The sea has cut a cave deep into the cliff, and then created a hole in the roof of the cave. The hole is 2 or 3m across, and the floor of the cave perhaps 10m below.

Rob Burke

Dunan Croir

This looks as if it might be a "little fort", hence the name. However Canmore reports that there is no evidence of artificial construction. There is the remains of a rectangular enclosure in the foreground, but again Canmore dryly notes "Not an antiquity".

Rob Burke

Bad stile near Labost

This type of stile is used throughout the coastal walk from Bragar to Siabost. It's an object lesson in how not to make a stile. Firstly the single step is much too high, as demonstrated by my able assistant. It risks pulled muscles, climbing up or jumping down. Secondly, as everyone has to pull on the top bar to climb up, the bar soon breaks off. Half the stiles on this part of the walk had lost the bar. Once the bar comes off, the rest of the stile becomes unstable because the legs are long and there is no cross bracing. Next, the mortice joint attaching the step to the back legs is too shallow. After we climbed over one stile, we found that the joint had come unscrewed and only a 1cm edge of wood on the wonky stile stopped it from collapsing. Finally, to add damage to injury, the barbed wire of the fence is uncovered, so it catches rucsacks as you jump off.

Rob Burke

Footbridge over Loch Ordais outflow

This footbridge gives access to the coastal walk west from the car park at Bragar.

Rob Burke

War graves at Bragar cemetery

There are several war graves in the cemetery. Sadly, half of them bear the date 1st January 1919. 205 men returning to Lewis were drowned in the Iolaire disaster close to Stornoway. The grave in the foreground has an even later date, 26 October 1919. Donald Morrison served on HMS Pontefract, a minesweeper, and died in an accident.

Rob Burke