Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche

Cara with Gigha and Islay behind
Cara with Gigha and Islay behind Credit: Archie Cochrane

Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche is a small, uninhabited island located off the west coast of Scotland in Argyllshire. It is part of the Inner Hebrides, situated in the Sound of Islay between the islands of Islay and Colonsay. The island is known for its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs and a distinctive lighthouse perched on its highest point.

Covering an area of approximately 2 hectares, Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche is a haven for a variety of bird species, including gulls, cormorants, and puffins. The surrounding waters also provide rich feeding grounds for seals and otters, which can often be spotted along the rocky shoreline.

The island's most prominent feature is the Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche Lighthouse, which was built in 1857 to guide ships navigating through the treacherous waters of the Sound of Islay. The lighthouse stands at a height of 20 meters and emits a distinctive white flash every five seconds. It is a vital navigational aid for vessels traveling to and from the nearby ports of Islay and Colonsay.

Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche is not accessible to the general public. However, it is a popular destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts who can observe the island's diverse ecosystems from the surrounding waters. The rugged beauty and untouched nature of Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche make it a remarkable and significant part of the Argyllshire landscape.

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Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.631275/-5.7456973 or Grid Reference NR6443. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cara with Gigha and Islay behind
Cara with Gigha and Islay behind
Beach on the east coast of Cara Island Cara is an uninhabited island just south of Gigha. This image looks across the Sound of Gigha towards the Kintyre peninsula.
Beach on the east coast of Cara Island
Cara is an uninhabited island just south of Gigha. This image looks across the Sound of Gigha towards the Kintyre peninsula.
Beach on Cara Well sheltered beach protected by rock skerries on the east coast of Cara
Beach on Cara
Well sheltered beach protected by rock skerries on the east coast of Cara
Cara Island off Gigha
Cara Island off Gigha
Cara Island taken from A'Chleit Cara Island with Isle of Islay in the background.
Cara Island taken from A'Chleit
Cara Island with Isle of Islay in the background.
Aird Fhada
Aird Fhada
Cara Island from the Air Aerial shot of Cara Island from NR6444
Cara Island from the Air
Aerial shot of Cara Island from NR6444
Eilean Leim Eilean Lèim, looking east towards Kintyre.
Eilean Leim
Eilean Lèim, looking east towards Kintyre.
Skerries  ( North East Cara )
Skerries ( North East Cara )
Mull of Cara
Mull of Cara
Port na Cile ( Cara ) Gigha and Jura behind.
Port na Cile ( Cara )
Gigha and Jura behind.
Corr Eilean Corr Eilean. Gigha in background.
Corr Eilean
Corr Eilean. Gigha in background.
Mull of Cara Mull of Cara from south.
Mull of Cara
Mull of Cara from south.
Cara taken from Gigha's south pier My late grandfather was the pilot & quartermaster on the old MacBraynes steamer serving Islay and Gigha for 40 years, but in all that time he refused to ever set foot on Cara.  Apparently it's populated by Brownies - no, not small girls in brown dresses - rather the sprites they took the name from.  And no superstitious old salt worth his salt would ever take the risk of going there!
Cara taken from Gigha's south pier
My late grandfather was the pilot & quartermaster on the old MacBraynes steamer serving Islay and Gigha for 40 years, but in all that time he refused to ever set foot on Cara. Apparently it's populated by Brownies - no, not small girls in brown dresses - rather the sprites they took the name from. And no superstitious old salt worth his salt would ever take the risk of going there!
Landing at Port na Cille, Cara
Landing at Port na Cille, Cara
Cara House, Cara Showing signs of habitation, with glazed windows.  Not sure if this is only a holiday home, or more permanent.
Cara House, Cara
Showing signs of habitation, with glazed windows. Not sure if this is only a holiday home, or more permanent.
Gigha foreshore Near the southern tip of Gigha, this view looks across a rocky foreshore towards Cara Island.
Gigha foreshore
Near the southern tip of Gigha, this view looks across a rocky foreshore towards Cara Island.
Two dolphins off Gigha's southern coastline This pair of dolphins is heading south between the islands of Gigha and Cara.
Two dolphins off Gigha's southern coastline
This pair of dolphins is heading south between the islands of Gigha and Cara.
Show me another place!

Sgeir Mhic Ghaiche is located at Grid Ref: NR6443 (Lat: 55.631275, Lng: -5.7456973)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///burns.seriously.onwards. Near Campbeltown, Argyll & Bute

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.631275,-5.7456973
Created By: dmgroom_coastlines
Lat/Long: 55.629988/-5.74859
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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