Scotland is a magical country, full of beautiful sites. Lost in the middle of the Minch, the Shiant islands allow a stopover by boat in a grandiose landscape, with only birds and seals for company.
Impressive islands
The Shiant Islands are a small group of islands, in the middle of the Minch, between the islands of Skye and Lewis. The three main islands are called Garbh Eilean and Eilean an Tighe, connected by an isthmus, then Eilean Mhuire .
They present spectacular cliffs with geometrical formations. Indeed, the columns of dolerite on the north side of Garbh Eilean are more than 120 meters high and about 2 meters in diameter. They are much higher in places than those of Staffa and the Giant's Causeway. There are also caves and a beautiful arch at the foot of the cliffs.
A deep water anchorage
It is only possible to anchor at the Shiant Islands. The main anchorage is located east of Garbh Eilean in the middle of the three islands, in front of the isthmus. Depending on the wind, the boats can also stop in front of the house, west of Eilean an Tighe .
However, one must expect to anchor in relatively deep water, in about 16 to 18 meters of water, unless one approaches the coast very close. In this respect, the soundings on the charts seem rather inaccurate. Since the bottom is uncertain, it is also wise to use a mooring line.
A refuge for birds
The Shiant Islands are home to a large population of seabirds. Among them, thousands of puffins, the famous shearwaters, nest on the slopes of Garbh Eilean. A major rat control operation was conducted a few years ago to rid the islands of black rats. These rats were feeding on the eggs and chicks of seabirds.
The slopes of the islands are also used as pasture for sheep that maintain the vegetation.
A timeless retreat
The islands are privately owned. They are nevertheless open to the public. It is even possible to reserve the small house for free to stay there. The conditions are very rustic, as there is no water, electricity or toilets. This makes it a very special place for a retreat completely out of time. The perfect opportunity to read the book Sea Room by Adam Nicolson, who celebrates these islands.
