Sgeir Holaback

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Sgeir Holaback

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 Holaback is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Ross-shire, in the Scottish Highlands. Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, it lies approximately 1.5 kilometers northwest of the mainland, near the mouth of Loch Broom. The island is part of the Summer Isles archipelago, a group of rugged and picturesque islands renowned for their natural beauty.

Sgeir Holaback covers an area of about 0.2 hectares and is characterized by its rocky terrain and steep cliffs. The island rises to an elevation of around 20 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of the surrounding seascape. Its exposed location makes it susceptible to strong winds and rough seas, creating a challenging environment for vegetation to thrive.

In terms of wildlife, Sgeir Holaback is home to a variety of seabird species, including guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. The surrounding waters also support a diverse marine ecosystem, making it an important area for fishing and other marine activities.

Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, Sgeir Holaback is largely inaccessible to visitors. However, it can be admired from a distance during boat trips or from the mainland. The island's isolation and rugged beauty make it a popular subject for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

In summary, Sgeir Holaback is a small, rocky island off the coast of Ross-shire, Scotland. With its dramatic cliffs and abundant birdlife, it serves as a testament to the untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

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Sgeir Holaback Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.344498/-6.6379342 or Grid Reference NB2848. 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

View towards Eilean Arnol

Looking across the fields from the Arnol Blackhouse car park.

David Dixon

Coastline of Lewis

Ralph Greig

The Whalebone Arch at Bragar

The arch dates from 1920. It was made from the jawbone of a dead blue whale which was washed ashore in a nearby inlet Geodha nam Muc and has since become a tourist attraction. It is Category B-listed by Historic Environment Scotland (LB5767 Link

). More information Link

(Britain Express).

David Dixon

Bragar

Bragar (Bràgar) is a village situated on the A858 between Carloway and Barvas on the west side of the Isle of Lewis, 14 miles from the island's only town, Stornoway

David Dixon

South Bragar

David Dixon

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

Causeway to Broch in Loch an Duna

Sometimes it is possible to cross the short causeway to the Broch. On this occasion the loch was high with recent rain, and waves were breaking over the stepping stones.

Rob Burke