Scarba
| Scarba Gaelic: Sgarba | |
 Bàgh Aoinaidh na h-Uamha, Scarba | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location: | 56°10’37"N, 5°43’12"W |
| Grid reference: | NM690044 |
| Area: | 3,642 acres |
| Highest point: | Cruach Scarba, 1,473 ft |
| Data | |
| Population: | uninhabited |
Scarba is a small island amongst the Inner Hebrides. It lies just north of the much larger island of Jura, and is within Argyllshire. The island was owned by Richard Hill, 7th Baron Sandys and has not been permanently inhabited since the 1960s.[1] It is now covered in heather and used for grazing animals. Kilmory Lodge is used seasonally as a shooting lodge, the island having a flourishing herd of red deer.
The island's name is from Old Norse, and may mean "Sharp, stony, hilly terrain"[1] or "Cormorant Island".[2]
Description
Scarba is not served by any public ferries, but access from Craobh Haven or Crinan Harbour is possible by arrangement with local boatmen.
The rough summit ridge can be accessed from the harbour at the north end, from where a vehicle track leads up past Kilmory Lodge to a height of about 600 feet. After that, there are no paths or well defined routes, and the terrain becomes rough and boggy. The island rises steeply to a peak (Cruach Scarba) of 1,473 ft. Although there are no technical difficulties, the summits are often shrouded in mist, through which navigation skill may be required. A cylindrical triangulation point marks the highest of several summits, which are surrounded by several small lochs.
The Corryvreckan
- Main article: Gulf of Corryvreckan
Between Scarba and Jura lies the Gulf of Corryvreckan, known for its whirlpool. Writing in 1549, Dean Monro wrote of "Skarbay" that between it and "Duray":
Ther runnes ane streame, above the power of all sailing and rowing, with infinit dangers, callit Corybrekan. This stream is aught myle lang, quhilk may not be hantit bot be certain tyds. This Skarbay is four myles lange from the west to the eist, and an myle breadth, ane high rough yle, inhabit and manurit, with some woods in it.[3]
Scarba and a few nearby islets (Lunga and the Garvellachs) are bundled together as 'the Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs National Scenic Area'.
Pictures
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The Corryvreckan whirlpool -
The view from Luing looking towards Scarba -
From Na h-Urrachann, northwards towards the Slate Islands -
North along the summit ridge near Cruach Scarba
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Scarba) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
- ↑ Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 104
- ↑ Monro (1594) "Skarbay" No. 16
- Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.