Sgeir Mhòr

Island in Ross-shire

Scotland

Sgeir Mhòr

Ripe for development Roofless cottage and tin roofed barn on the shore at Coillegillie, and the only two buildings which appear to be in this grid square. The cottage has a polite notice attached asking visitors to respect the property as there are plans to rebuild it. The view extends to the Red Cuillin on Skye and the southern end of Raasay. — Ripe for development Credit: Gordon Hatton

Sgeir Mhòr is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Ross-shire, in the Scottish Highlands. It lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1.5 kilometers east of the mainland. The island covers an area of about 0.6 hectares and is part of the larger Summer Isles archipelago.

Sgeir Mhòr is primarily composed of rocky terrain, with its highest point reaching about 15 meters above sea level. The island is uninhabited and devoid of any infrastructure or human settlements. It is a protected nature reserve, managed by the Scottish Natural Heritage, and serves as an important breeding ground and sanctuary for a variety of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and puffins.

The island's remote location and lack of human activity make it an ideal habitat for wildlife. In addition to the abundant birdlife, visitors may also spot seals basking on the surrounding rocks or swimming in the surrounding waters. The crystal-clear waters surrounding Sgeir Mhòr are home to a diverse range of marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

Access to Sgeir Mhòr is primarily by boat, with various local tour operators offering trips to the Summer Isles, including this uninhabited island. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque views of the rugged coastline, observe the nesting seabirds from a distance, or simply immerse themselves in the tranquil natural beauty of this remote island.

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Sgeir Mhòr Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.391232/-5.8362064 or Grid Reference NG6939. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ripe for development

Roofless cottage and tin roofed barn on the shore at Coillegillie, and the only two buildings which appear to be in this grid square. The cottage has a polite notice attached asking visitors to respect the property as there are plans to rebuild it. The view extends to the Red Cuillin on Skye and the southern end of Raasay.

Gordon Hatton

Thrift by the shore

More commonly known wrongly as 'sea pinks', thrift is common along rocky shorelines around most of Britain.

Gordon Hatton

Row of Cottages Ardban

Tom Richardson

An Ruard-Eilean

Small island off the rocky coastline to the north of Coilliegillie

Alpin Stewart

Houses at Ardban

Alpin Stewart

Coastline near Ardban, Ross and Cromarty

Looking towards the Isle of Raasay.

Claire Pegrum

Rock shelter, Ardban, Ross and Cromarty

Historic Environment Scotland describes a rock shelter as, "the area beneath a natural overhang at the base of a cliff or crag. This may have been used for occupation, burial, etc". This shelter was recorded during the Scotland's First Settlers Project: Link

Claire Pegrum

Ardban

Two isolated houses on the coast with no road access. The only way to get to these houses is by boat or a well defined footpath from the Ard Dubh road. I presume they are used as holiday lets today. Grassland around houses grazed by sheep. Nearby beach in foreground of photo made up of shells.

Michael Wilmore

Eilean na Ba (Island of the Cattle)

The smaller island on the left. Managed to land on this when I canoed up the coast later on. No cattle spotted on it but seals, wild otters & many seabirds featured on the trip.

Alastair Seagroatt