Sgeirean na Giusaich

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

Sgeirean na Giusaich

Lunga (Treshnish Isles) from Arinagour, Coll Looking due south from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7238968">NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel gardens</a> over Arinagour&#039;s harbour to Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles. The green starboard buoy seen in mid distance is at NM23075566 (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3924955">NM2355 : Bogha Mor and marker buoy</a> for a close view). — Lunga (Treshnish Isles) from Arinagour, Coll Credit: Rob Farrow

Sgeirean na Giusaich is a group of small islands located off the west coast of Scotland, specifically in Argyllshire. It is situated in the Inner Hebrides, an archipelago known for its rugged landscapes and beautiful natural scenery. The islands are uninhabited and are part of a nature reserve, making them an important site for wildlife conservation.

The name "Sgeirean na Giusaich" translates to "the skerries of Giusaich" in English. Skerries are rocky islets that are often found in coastal areas, and they are a prominent feature of these islands. The coastline is characterized by dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops, which provide nesting sites for various seabird species, including guillemots, razorbills, and puffins.

The islands are also home to a diverse range of marine life. The surrounding waters are teeming with fish, making it an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts. Seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks, while dolphins and porpoises occasionally make appearances in the area.

Access to Sgeirean na Giusaich is limited due to their remote location and lack of infrastructure. However, boat trips and guided tours are available for those interested in exploring the islands and observing the wildlife. Visitors are advised to take precautions and adhere to the conservation guidelines in order to minimize any potential impact on the delicate ecosystem.

Overall, Sgeirean na Giusaich offers a unique opportunity to experience the untamed beauty of the Scottish coastline and witness the wonders of the natural world.

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Sgeirean na Giusaich Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.498504/-6.4096451 or Grid Reference NM2842. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lunga (Treshnish Isles) from Arinagour, Coll

Looking due south from NM2257 : Coll - Arinagour - Coll Hotel gardens over Arinagour's harbour to Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles. The green starboard buoy seen in mid distance is at NM23075566 (see NM2355 : Bogha Mor and marker buoy for a close view).

Rob Farrow

Cruachan, the summit of Lunga, Treshnish Isles

We are looking just east of north. On the left is Sgeir a' Chaisteil and smaller islands, and the largest, flat-looking island is Fladda in NM2943. More distant are part of west Mull, and Ardnamurchan Point.

Michael Earnshaw

'Hoy Lass' at a landing place on Lunga, Treshnish Isles

The 'Hoy Lass' operated by Turus Mara at a place where they disemark and embark passengers on Lunga. Treshnish Isles are an SSSI, see Link

Mags49

Southern tip of Fladda

The Staffa tour boat threaded its way through the Treshnish Isles on its return journey to Kilchoan and Tobermory.

Ian Cunliffe

Treshnish Islands, Lunga

Of volcanic origin, the island of Lunga is the largest of the Treshnish Isles in the Inner Hebrides. During the summer, tourist boats visit Lunga; the main attraction is the many thousands of breeding puffins as well as the abundant plant life for which it has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. One such boat, operated by the Staffa Tours company can be seen moored at the southern end of the Island in this photograph.

David Dixon

Lunga landing

There is no permanent pier on Lunga. The boatman has a temporary floating pier that is pushed against the shore between the boat and the rocks. Depending on the state of the tide you may have to scramble across slippery, rounded seaweed covered rocks to get to the shore proper.

Malcolm Neal

Puffin on Lunga

One of very many Puffin that nest in burrows on Lunga. If you sit still they will approach you getting well within arms reach. This is a really exciting experience.

Malcolm Neal

The wildlife of Lunga

This cliff is crowded with Razorbills and Guillemot all trying to find a small space in which to lay their eggs. We came here two years ago just one week earlier and the only birds on the island were the Puffin and a few Shag. The Razorbills etc. had not arrived to start nesting.

Malcolm Neal

Treshnish Isles - Unnamed islets NW of Bogha Ruadh

As our boat threaded through the myriad islets of the Treshnish Islands this was the view back northwards. The large island in the background is Fladda while the islets associated with Bogha Ruadh are in the foreground.

Rob Farrow

Coming in to Land - Harp Rock, Lunga

There is a huge colony of guillemots (Uria aalge) and razorbills (Alca torda) nesting on Harp Rock off the western coast of the island of Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Islands. Amongst these two species are also a number of puffins, although they generally prefer the grassier slopes of the main island. There were also a variety of gulls about. Here a guillemot (I think) is coming in to land on the edge of this rock. The guillemots are slightly slenderer than the razorbills and have pointier bills. The razorbills have a distinctive diagonal stripe towards the tip of their bills as can be seen on the bird at bottom right.

Rob Farrow

A guillemot takes flight

One of the thousands of guillemots (Uria aalge) nesting on Harp Rock, Lunga Island, takes flight on a mission to catch fish (mainly sand eels). See also NM2742 : Coming in to Land - Harp Rock, Lunga for more information.

Rob Farrow

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Lunga (1)

A head-on view of one of the very trusting - and photogenic - puffins that nest in their hundreds (probably thousands) on the little island of Lunga in the Treshnish Isles off Mull. The puffin (Fratercula arctica) shares the island with many other seabirds, in particular guillemots and razorbills which nest in their thousands on the nearby Harp Rock.

Rob Farrow

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Lunga (2)

The puffins on Lunga obligingly waddled about allowing shots from every angle - here the glossy black plumage of its back is seen along with its head in profile.

Rob Farrow

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Lunga (3)

A side view of one of the many photogenic little puffins on Lunga.

Rob Farrow

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Lunga (4)

This puffin is resting on a ledge on the offshore "Harp Rock" just off the cost of Lunga the largest of the Treshnish Isles.

Rob Farrow

Razorbill (Alca torda) on Lunga

There are thousands of both razorbills (Alca torda) and guillemots (Uria aalge) on Lunga; most are on the slightly offshore Harp Rock, but a few such as this one were sharing the grassy sides of the main island with the puffins. The razorbill and guillemot are quite similar, though the former has a thicker bill with a distinctive diagonal white streak towards its tip.

Rob Farrow

Two razorbills (Alca torda) on Lunga

These two razorbills (Alca torda) on Lunga were away from the main colony which was on nearby Harp Rock. See NM2742 : Razorbill (Alca torda) on Lunga for more information.

Rob Farrow