Àird Cumhang

Settlement in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Àird Cumhang

Mystery harbour, Benbecula This loch is named as Oban Crothintin on the larger scale OS maps. The inlet shown in the photo has been built up on the southern side as if to make some sort of landing stage. The mystery is that, although it is tidal, the burn leading from the loch to the sea is very narrow, barely wide enough to get a rowing boat through at high spring tides. If a boat required sheltered moorings, the bay on the other side of the road offers that in abundance with a much easier passage to the open water. — Mystery harbour, Benbecula Credit: AlastairG

Àird Cumhang is a small hamlet located in Inverness-shire, Scotland. Situated on the north-west coast of the country, this picturesque village is known for its stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the nearby Loch Ewe. The area is rich in natural beauty, with rolling hills, lush green fields, and rugged coastline.

The village itself is made up of a cluster of traditional stone buildings, including a few small shops, a church, and a local pub. The population of Àird Cumhang is relatively small, with most residents working in agriculture or tourism.

Visitors to Àird Cumhang can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and birdwatching. The nearby Loch Ewe is a popular spot for water sports such as kayaking and sailing, while the surrounding hills offer excellent opportunities for walking and wildlife spotting.

Overall, Àird Cumhang is a charming and peaceful village, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside.

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Àird Cumhang Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.410422/-7.2554362 or Grid Reference NF8447. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mystery harbour, Benbecula

This loch is named as Oban Crothintin on the larger scale OS maps. The inlet shown in the photo has been built up on the southern side as if to make some sort of landing stage. The mystery is that, although it is tidal, the burn leading from the loch to the sea is very narrow, barely wide enough to get a rowing boat through at high spring tides. If a boat required sheltered moorings, the bay on the other side of the road offers that in abundance with a much easier passage to the open water.

AlastairG

New track on Benbecula

Neither the OS maps nor Google Earth show this track alongside Loch an Droma bho Dheas. It seems to have been constructed to gain access to a building which looked to be in the process of renovation.

AlastairG

Loch an Droma bho Deas

This is the continuation of the track shown in NF8447 : New track on Benbecula The chimneys of the house under restoration can just be seen on the skyline on the right at the end on the loch.

AlastairG

Extreme weather precautions on Benbecula

This belt and braces job speaks volumes about the anticipated wind conditions on Benbecula ....and, yes, the other side is just the same. The loch is loch an Droma bho Deas.

AlastairG

Loch an Droma bho Deas, Benbecula

The colour of the water is misleading. Unlike nearby lochs, this one has a fringe of unpleasant filamentous algae and the water itself is quite turbid. This reason for this could be the presence of a large number of geese and swans with their resultant deposits. This would be made worse by the lack of meaningful rain for about two months. A pity as it's in a lovely setting.

AlastairG

Dying loch, Benbecula

This loch is near the end of its life. What was once open water has gone through a series of changes, each of which alters the habitat, allowing other plant types to become established. As the submerged plants die each year, for example, their remains accumulate, making the water shallower allowing emergent species e.g. bogbean to grow. These changes are known as a hydrosere and will eventually result in a flat area which will support the climax community for the area, often woodland.

AlastairG

Dying loch, Benbecula

This shows the next stage of succession after that shown in NF8447 : Dying loch, Benbecula The flag iris bases would certainly allow someone to walk across what had been open water. The time taken for these changes to occur can vary greatly. In some circumstances, the habitat can reach this stage in as little as twenty years.

AlastairG

Drainage burn, Loch Langabhat

For such a large body of water, almost two and a half miles long, the exit burn is very small. When this photo was taken, it was no more than eighteen inches wide. The presence of an old sluice suggests that the levels had been managed in the past.

AlastairG

Loch Langabhat, Benbecula

One of the many long narrow lochs in the area, Langabhat is thirty yards wide in places although it is over two miles long.

AlastairG

Loch Langabhat, Benbecula

The fence was clearly a very recent addition although there wasn't any sign of stock to keep in, or out.

AlastairG

Causeway by Loch Chill Eireabhaigh

Compare with this similar view in 2008 [Link].

Richard Sutcliffe

Cotton grass and tidal inlets

Looking north from one of the tiny islets connected by causeways on the B891 towards Eilean Dubh Fo Thuath and the distant hill of Ruabhal.

Gordon Hatton

The phone box is still standing

Two contributors recorded this scene in 2007, but since then the roof of the old croft house has totally collapsed, but at least the telephone box is still standing, though probably rarely used except to shelter from horizontal rain.

Gordon Hatton

Old blackhouse at Aird Cumhang

There are still many of these old turf roofed cottages on the Uists and Benbecula. Many are in a similar state to this one, but others, particularly those near roads and services have been restored as holiday cottages.

Gordon Hatton