Sound of Barra
The Sound of Barra is a large, island-strewn sound in the Outer Hebrides separating the Isle of Barra in the south from South Uist to the north, all within Inverness-shire.
Conservation designations applied to the Sound of Barra encompass 98.91% marine and inlet areas, 1.07% mudflats and other semi-submerged areas and 0.02% sea cliffs and islets.[1] There are ten islands in the sound, only Eriskay still being inhabited.
There is a ferry service across the sound from Ardmore on Barra to Ceann a' Ghàraidh on the island of Eriskay.
It was first proposed that the Sound of Barra should become a Special Area of Conservation in 2000.[2] The primary reasons for its status as a SAC are the benefits to marine conservation of its sandbanks and reefs with their diverse flora and including maerl and other red algae, kelp communities and fauna such as barnacles and mussels and the presence of harbour seals also being a qualifying feature.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sound of Barra". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 2019. https://sac.jncc.gov.uk/site/UK0012705. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
- ↑ Munro, Alistair (2013-01-07). "Advice on proposal to turn Sound of Barra into conservation area blasted by campaigners". https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/advice-on-proposal-to-turn-sound-of-barra-into-conservation-area-blasted-by-campaigners-1-2722385. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
| The islands of the Sound of Barra, Inverness-shire | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Calvay • Eriskay • Fiaraidh • Flodday • Fuday • Fuiay • Gighay • Hellisay • Lingay • Orosay |
Barra | |