Treshnish Isles
The Treshnish Isles are an archipelago of small islands and skerries lying to the west of Mull. They are part of the Inner Hebrides and all within Argyllshire.
Geography
The archipelago stretches for roughly four miles from the island of Bac Beag in the south towards Cairn na Burgh Beag to the north-east. The largest island in the group is Lunga, which is four miles west of Gometra, roughly the same distance south-west of Rubha' a' Chaoil on Mull, seven and a half miles south-east of Coll, and three miles north-west of Staffa.[1]
Other larger islands in the group are Cairn na Burgh Mòr, Fladda and Bac Mòr. There are numerous smaller skerries, particularly north of Lunga. All the islands are of volcanic origin.[2]
| Island | Gaelic name | Area | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bac Beag | Am Baca Beag | 16.6 acres | 89 feet |
| Bac Mòr | Am Baca Mòr | 61.0 acres | 282 feet |
| Lunga | Lunga | 148.0 acres | 338 feet |
| Sgeir a' Chaisteil | Sgeir a' Chaisteil | 9.1 acres | 85 feet |
| Sgeir an Eirionnaich | Sgeir an Eirionnaich | 12.4 acres | 49 feet |
| Fladda | Flada | 50.9 acres | 85 feet |
| Cairn na Burgh Mòr | Cairn Bhuirg Mòr | 8.9 acres | 115 feet |
| Cairn na Burgh Beag | Cairn Bhuirg Beag | 5.4 acres | 72 feet |
History
There are several possible duns on the islands of Iron Age origin. Little is known of the early history, although these prominent landmarks would have been significant waypoints for the Norse settlers during their conquest in the early years of the Kingdom of the Isles,[3] which lasted from the 9th to the 13th centuries.
Names
Treisinis is a Gaelic name of unknown meaning that appears to include the Old Norse root ness, meaning "headland".[4]
- Bac Mòr is also known as "The Dutchman's Cap" in English due to its shape. Its Gaelic name means "Big Bank (or dune)"
- Bac Beag is the Gaelic Am Baca Beag for "the Little Bank"
- These may be a reference to the shape of the islands when framed against the Ross of Mull.
- Lunga is probably from the Old Norse lungr-øy, meaning "longship island".[3][5]
- Sgeir an Eirionnaich and Sgeir a' Chaisteil are Gaelic names meaning "Irishman's Skerry" and "Castle Skerry" respectively.
- Cairn na Burgh Mòr means "cairn of the large fort" and Cairn na Burgh Beg is thus "cairn of the small fort".[3]
- Fladda is from the Old Norse for "flat island".[6]
Natural history and conservation
The Treshnish Isles are part of the Loch Na Keal National Scenic Area. They are also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area[7] due to their importance for breeding seabirds and a marine Special Area of Conservation.[8] They are also known for their Atlantic Grey Seals and ruined castles.[9]
Outside links
- Location map: 56°29’49"N, 6°25’5"W
- The Hebridean Trust
References
- ↑ Ordnance Survey Landranger Map (1:50 000) "Iona & West Mull". Sheet 48
- ↑ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 106
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Treshnish Isles Management Plan p. 5
- ↑ Mac an Tailleir (2003) p. 114
- ↑ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 105
- ↑ Mac an Tailleir (2003) p. 50
- ↑ "SPA description: Treshnish". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. http://www.jncc.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1941. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- ↑ "Argyll Marine SAC: Treshnish Isles". http://www.argyllmarinesac.org/DS_TreshnishIsle.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- ↑ "Mull and Iona". Scotland View. http://www.scotlandview.co.uk/mull_and_iona.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
- Mac an Tailleir, Iain (2003) "Ainmean-àite le buidheachas/Placenames" (pdf) Retrieved 12 May 2012.
- Treshnish Isles Management Plan 2001-11 (2001) The Hebridean Trust.
| The Treshnish Isles |
|---|
|
Bac Beag • Bac Mòr • Lunga • Fladda • Cairn na Burgh Beag • Cairn na Burgh Mòr |