An Clèiteadh

Island in Argyllshire

Scotland

An Clèiteadh

Cuan Sound Cuan Sound is the stretch of water between the isles of Seil and Luing. It takes its name from Cuan on the southern tip of Seil from where a small car ferry operates to and from Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing. As can be seen the sound is spanned by an HT power line with a pylon on each of the islands, this provides mains electricity to the isle of Luing. At its narrowest the sound is about 200m (660&#039;) wide and a minimum depth of about 54&#039; (16.5m). There can be a strong tidal race through the sound, though it looks very peaceful in this image. — Cuan Sound Credit: Rob Farrow

An Clèiteadh, also known as the Isle of Coll, is a small island located off the west coast of Scotland in Argyllshire. It is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago and covers an area of approximately 13 square miles. The island is known for its stunning natural beauty, with sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and rolling hills.

An Clèiteadh has a population of around 200 people, and the main settlement is Arinagour, where most of the island's facilities can be found. The island has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. It is home to several ancient ruins, including the 15th-century Breachacha Castle and the 18th-century Hogh Castle.

The island is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting. An Clèiteadh is known for its diverse ecosystem, with a variety of plant and animal species. It is particularly renowned for its birdlife, with numerous seabird colonies and a large population of corncrakes.

The island has a strong sense of community, with regular events and gatherings throughout the year. It also has a primary school, a medical center, and a few shops and cafes. An Clèiteadh is accessible by ferry from the mainland, with regular services connecting it to Oban.

Overall, An Clèiteadh is a picturesque and tranquil island, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature and experience the unique culture and history of the Inner Hebrides.

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An Clèiteadh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.262315/-5.6242842 or Grid Reference NM7513. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cuan Sound Cuan Sound is the stretch of water between the isles of Seil and Luing. It takes its name from Cuan on the southern tip of Seil from where a small car ferry operates to and from Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing. As can be seen the sound is spanned by an HT power line with a pylon on each of the islands, this provides mains electricity to the isle of Luing. At its narrowest the sound is about 200m (660&#039;) wide and a minimum depth of about 54&#039; (16.5m). There can be a strong tidal race through the sound, though it looks very peaceful in this image.

Cuan Sound

Cuan Sound is the stretch of water between the isles of Seil and Luing. It takes its name from Cuan on the southern tip of Seil from where a small car ferry operates to and from Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing. As can be seen the sound is spanned by an HT power line with a pylon on each of the islands, this provides mains electricity to the isle of Luing. At its narrowest the sound is about 200m (660') wide and a minimum depth of about 54' (16.5m). There can be a strong tidal race through the sound, though it looks very peaceful in this image.

Luing - Cnoc na h-Earde - small inlets There are a series of small inlets on the north coast of Luing facing the isle of Seil across <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258280">NM7514 : Cuan Sound</a>. The slipway for the Cuan Ferry is situated between two of these and this view is from the west of the slipway looking along the coast to another inlet with some boats moored in it (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258293">NM7514 : Luing - Boats in inlet</a>).
The pylon behind them is the only pylon on the island having brought electricity across the sound from Seil, it then immediately comes to earth at a substation.

Luing - Cnoc na h-Earde - small inlets

There are a series of small inlets on the north coast of Luing facing the isle of Seil across NM7514 : Cuan Sound. The slipway for the Cuan Ferry is situated between two of these and this view is from the west of the slipway looking along the coast to another inlet with some boats moored in it (see NM7514 : Luing - Boats in inlet). The pylon behind them is the only pylon on the island having brought electricity across the sound from Seil, it then immediately comes to earth at a substation.

Luing - Boats in inlet Boats are moored in a small inlet on the northern coast of Luing. In the background can be seen the southwestern end of the isle of Seil, with Ellenasbeich nestling beneath Dùn Mòr.
See a wider view here: <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258288">NM7514 : Luing - Cnoc na h-Earde - small inlets</a>

Luing - Boats in inlet

Boats are moored in a small inlet on the northern coast of Luing. In the background can be seen the southwestern end of the isle of Seil, with Ellenasbeich nestling beneath Dùn Mòr. See a wider view here: NM7514 : Luing - Cnoc na h-Earde - small inlets

Luing - Inlet to east of ferry slipway This little inlet and gravelly beach is immediately west of the ferry slipway at Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing. The coastal village of Cuan on the isle of Seil can be seen on the opposite side of the sound.

Luing - Inlet to east of ferry slipway

This little inlet and gravelly beach is immediately west of the ferry slipway at Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing. The coastal village of Cuan on the isle of Seil can be seen on the opposite side of the sound.

Luing - Ferry waiting room This little wooden shed is the waiting room for the ferry from Luing to Seil. It contained some information and books and the button alluded to in the notice.

Luing - Ferry waiting room

This little wooden shed is the waiting room for the ferry from Luing to Seil. It contained some information and books and the button alluded to in the notice.

Luing - Ferry slipway This slipway at Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing is where the ferry to and from Cuan on Seil departs and arrives.

Luing - Ferry slipway

This slipway at Cnoc na h-Earde on Luing is where the ferry to and from Cuan on Seil departs and arrives.

Torsa from Luing The land in the foreground is the western coast of the isle of Luing at its northern end, looking across to the uninhabited isle of Torsa.
Torsa is almost connected (fordable at low tide) to Luing near Ardinamir Bay.
Although no longer permanently inhabited since the early 1960s, it is possible to stay in a holiday let in the island&#039;s only remaining house - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://torsa-island.co.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://torsa-island.co.uk">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The island has never had a large population, but at the beginning of the C19th there were eleven families living here. It has an area of 113ha (280 acres) and its highest point, 62m (203&#039;) is an unnamed hill in the centre of the island.
See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258530">NM7512 : Torsa Beag and Sgeir a' Bhodaich from Luing</a>
[Edit Late 2023] The entire island of Torsa comprising Torsa, Torsa Beag, Eilean na h-Eaglaise, and their reclaimed foreshore is currently up for sale for &quot;offers over £1.5m&quot; - you do get about 270 acres and several buildings for your money though! See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://island-seeker.com/islands-for-sale/scotland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://island-seeker.com/islands-for-sale/scotland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Torsa from Luing

The land in the foreground is the western coast of the isle of Luing at its northern end, looking across to the uninhabited isle of Torsa. Torsa is almost connected (fordable at low tide) to Luing near Ardinamir Bay. Although no longer permanently inhabited since the early 1960s, it is possible to stay in a holiday let in the island's only remaining house - see Link

The island has never had a large population, but at the beginning of the C19th there were eleven families living here. It has an area of 113ha (280 acres) and its highest point, 62m (203') is an unnamed hill in the centre of the island. See also NM7512 : Torsa Beag and Sgeir a' Bhodaich from Luing [Edit Late 2023] The entire island of Torsa comprising Torsa, Torsa Beag, Eilean na h-Eaglaise, and their reclaimed foreshore is currently up for sale for "offers over £1.5m" - you do get about 270 acres and several buildings for your money though! See Link

Torsa Beag and Sgeir a' Bhodaich from Luing Looking across to Torsa Beag from eastern Luing with the low-lying skerry of Sgeir a&#039; Bhodaich between the islands. Torsa Beag (which means Little Torsa) is not a separate island as its name suggests, but is joined to the rest of Torsa. Torsa Farm which is the only habitable building remaining on Torsa can just be discerned on the mid-height ground up to the right of the skerry as viewed.
See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258358">NM7613 : Torsa from Luing</a> for more information on the isle of Torsa.

Torsa Beag and Sgeir a' Bhodaich from Luing

Looking across to Torsa Beag from eastern Luing with the low-lying skerry of Sgeir a' Bhodaich between the islands. Torsa Beag (which means Little Torsa) is not a separate island as its name suggests, but is joined to the rest of Torsa. Torsa Farm which is the only habitable building remaining on Torsa can just be discerned on the mid-height ground up to the right of the skerry as viewed. See NM7613 : Torsa from Luing for more information on the isle of Torsa.

Luing - Cullipool - Dead-end street heading northwards This is the northernmost street in the village of Cullipool the &#039;capital&#039; of the Isle of Luing. A disused quarry (not flooded) lies ahead beneath the cliffs of Cnoc Dhomhnuill the highest hill on the island at 94m (308&#039;) though its peak is off to the east of the village.
These very neat and tidy whitewashed houses were built in the 1870s to house workers of Cullipool Slate Quarries.
Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category &#039;B&#039; listed: see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Luing - Cullipool - Dead-end street heading northwards

This is the northernmost street in the village of Cullipool the 'capital' of the Isle of Luing. A disused quarry (not flooded) lies ahead beneath the cliffs of Cnoc Dhomhnuill the highest hill on the island at 94m (308') though its peak is off to the east of the village. These very neat and tidy whitewashed houses were built in the 1870s to house workers of Cullipool Slate Quarries. Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category 'B' listed: see Link

and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see Link

Luing - Cullipool - Whitewashed houses These very neat and tidy whitewashed houses were built in the 1870s to house workers of Cullipool Slate Quarries.
Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category &#039;B&#039; listed: see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Luing - Cullipool - Whitewashed houses

These very neat and tidy whitewashed houses were built in the 1870s to house workers of Cullipool Slate Quarries. Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category 'B' listed: see Link

and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see Link

Luing - Cullipool - Double sided row of whitewashed cottages These very neat and tidy whitewashed houses were built in the 1870s to house workers of Cullipool Slate Quarries.
Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category &#039;B&#039; listed: see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Luing - Cullipool - Double sided row of whitewashed cottages

These very neat and tidy whitewashed houses were built in the 1870s to house workers of Cullipool Slate Quarries. Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category 'B' listed: see Link

and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see Link

Luing - Cullapool - Street which leads to former church This street heads southeastwards from the centre of Cullipool and leads (after a few wiggles) to the former Episcopal Church Of St Peter which is now a private house and can be seen in an elevated position in the distance.
These whitewashed houses remind me of those you find on some Greek islands!
Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category &#039;B&#039; listed: see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12424">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning-and-environment/Cullipool%20Conservation%20Area.pdf">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Luing - Cullapool - Street which leads to former church

This street heads southeastwards from the centre of Cullipool and leads (after a few wiggles) to the former Episcopal Church Of St Peter which is now a private house and can be seen in an elevated position in the distance. These whitewashed houses remind me of those you find on some Greek islands! Almost all the older houses in Cullipool are HES Category 'B' listed: see Link

and almost the entire village is a conservation area - see Link

Luing - Cullipool - Flooded quarry view eastwards The flooded quarry to the south of the main part of the village of Cullipool on Luing is roughly L-shaped (though upside down and mirrored). This view is across the northern arm looking eastwards.

Luing - Cullipool - Flooded quarry view eastwards

The flooded quarry to the south of the main part of the village of Cullipool on Luing is roughly L-shaped (though upside down and mirrored). This view is across the northern arm looking eastwards.

Luing - Cullipool - Flooded quarry view southwards The flooded quarry to the south of the main part of the village of Cullipool on Luing is roughly L-shaped (though upside down and mirrored)
This view is southwards along the longer arm of the L. I think that the white house in the distance must be a newly built property [2022] as it appears neither on the large scale maps nor on aerial images.

Luing - Cullipool - Flooded quarry view southwards

The flooded quarry to the south of the main part of the village of Cullipool on Luing is roughly L-shaped (though upside down and mirrored) This view is southwards along the longer arm of the L. I think that the white house in the distance must be a newly built property [2022] as it appears neither on the large scale maps nor on aerial images.

Luing from Cuan, Seil across Cuan Sound - waiting ferry Looking across the Cuan Sound to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258329">NM7514 : Luing - Ferry slipway</a> from the slipway at Cuan on Seil. The little vehicle ferry &quot;Belnahua&quot; (named after <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7259799">NM7112 : Belnahua from Luing</a>) is about to set sail in about ten minutes.
This little ferry only takes five or six cars at a time I reckon - and some can be seen on the Luing slipway waiting to make the return journey. Of course the ferry will also take pedestrians.
See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://isleofluing.org/how-get-here" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://isleofluing.org/how-get-here">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> for information about the ferry.

Luing from Cuan, Seil across Cuan Sound - waiting ferry

Looking across the Cuan Sound to NM7514 : Luing - Ferry slipway from the slipway at Cuan on Seil. The little vehicle ferry "Belnahua" (named after NM7112 : Belnahua from Luing) is about to set sail in about ten minutes. This little ferry only takes five or six cars at a time I reckon - and some can be seen on the Luing slipway waiting to make the return journey. Of course the ferry will also take pedestrians. See Link

for information about the ferry.

Seil - The ferry "Belnahua" about to depart for Luing This little ferry which runs every half hour during the day (except lunchtime) is called &quot;Belnahua&quot; after <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7259799">NM7112 : Belnahua from Luing</a> (the smallest of the four true Slate Islands, see below). It crosses between Cuan on the Isle of Seil (its home &#039;port&#039;) and the island of Luing across <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258280">NM7514 : Cuan Sound</a>
See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7261556">NM7514 : Luing from Cuan, Seil across Cuan Sound - waiting ferry</a>

Seil - The ferry "Belnahua" about to depart for Luing

This little ferry which runs every half hour during the day (except lunchtime) is called "Belnahua" after NM7112 : Belnahua from Luing (the smallest of the four true Slate Islands, see below). It crosses between Cuan on the Isle of Seil (its home 'port') and the island of Luing across NM7514 : Cuan Sound See also NM7514 : Luing from Cuan, Seil across Cuan Sound - waiting ferry

Seil - Cuan - from Luing Looking across <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258280">NM7514 : Cuan Sound</a> from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7258329">NM7514 : Luing - Ferry slipway</a> to the little village of Cuan on the Isle of Seil where the ferry to and from Luing departs.

Seil - Cuan - from Luing

Looking across NM7514 : Cuan Sound from NM7514 : Luing - Ferry slipway to the little village of Cuan on the Isle of Seil where the ferry to and from Luing departs.

Seil - drive to Kilbrandon church car park The driveway on the right leads up to the carpark for <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7261589">NM7515 : Seil - Kilbrandon church</a> from the B8003 which continues on the left on its way to Cuan.

Seil - drive to Kilbrandon church car park

The driveway on the right leads up to the carpark for NM7515 : Seil - Kilbrandon church from the B8003 which continues on the left on its way to Cuan.

Show me another place!

An Clèiteadh is located at Grid Ref: NM7513 (Lat: 56.262315, Lng: -5.6242842)

Unitary Authority: Argyll and Bute

Police Authority: Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

What 3 Words

///grafted.purest.cringe. Near Lochbuie, Argyll & Bute

Nearby Locations

Geàrr Sgeir Eilean Fraoch An Clèiteadh Sgeir a' Bhodaich Cuan Cove Glas Eilean

Related Wikis

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Cuan Sound is a narrow channel, 200 metres (660 ft) wide, located in Argyll, western Scotland. It separates Seil and Luing and later becomes the Firth...

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Torsa (occasionally Torsay) is one of the Slate Islands in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Lying east of Luing and south of Seil, this tidal island was inhabited...

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The Slate Islands are an island group in the Inner Hebrides, lying immediately off the west coast of Scotland, north of Jura and southwest of Oban. The...

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.262315,-5.6242842

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2644858/-5.6312958

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2641911/-5.6314101

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2638602/-5.6312877

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2634716/-5.6310855

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2626026/-5.6307517

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2620315/-5.6306113

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2619619/-5.6307662

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2615459/-5.6313527

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 56.2611719/-5.6316165

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Glas Eilean Argyllshire

Geàrr Sgeir Argyllshire

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