The
Treshnish Isles are a central part of the scenery of the southern
Hebrides. Like a fleet of Dreadnoughts passing through the Hebrides
in line astern, these islands have been landmarks for travellers
through the Hebrides for at least 1000 years. The names of some
of the islands still reflect their importance to the Vikings who
once ruled in the Hebrides.
The Treshnish Isles are formed from 8 principal islands varying
in size from less than 4 hectares to 60 hectares. The archipelago
lies, at its closest, 3km west of Mull and extends along a northeast-southwest
axis for a distance of 11km.
Apart from the scenery of the Treshnish and their mystique as a
group of uninhabited islands, they hold nationally important treasures
in the form of a mediaeval castle as well as large colonies of breeding
seabirds. In autumn they are the breeding ground of Atlantic grey
seals, which give birth to their white pups along their shores.
The Treshnish Isles are currently designated as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest and are a Special Protection Area under the
EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.
The
islands provide a breeding habitat for nationally important concentrations
of seabirds. At the Harp Rock on the island of Lunga, these are
particularly spectacular because dense aggregations of guillemots
can be viewed across a narrow but precipitous ravine providing a
singular view of a seabird colony. Amongst the fallen rocks on the
fossil beaches there are internationally important concentrations
of breeding storm petrels. These birds, which are the size of swallows,
are highly secretive and, to avoid being eaten by gulls, they only
come ashore at night from the deep ocean where they feed. During
winter, the islands provide valuable grazing for barnacle geese
and, in the autumn, the beaches are breeding habitat for nationally
important populations of Atlantic grey seals. In early summer it
is also possible to hear the rasping call of corncrakes on Lunga.
If you would like to visit the Treshnish Isles,
the trips below visit them:
This is the ultimate choice in tours for those interested in ornithology
and the natural history of these beautiful unspoilt islands.
We spend over two hours ashore on Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles to visit the large colony of puffins nesting there.
Lunga was inhabited until the 1850's- the islanders leaving their isolated homes as a monument to their hardy existence which is
now envied by those of us whose lifestyles are spoiled by the disadvantages of modern times. The views from their ruined homes are superb with spectacular scenery, seals off the shore,
puffins on the doorstep and many thousands of guillemots perched precariously on the Harp Rock nearby. The silence is broken by the calls of the seabirds as they come ashore to their nesting sites.
After Lunga we sail sail to Staffa to visit Fingal's Cave. This tour provides a chance to view seals and occassionally dolphins, basking sharks and whales in their habitat in the seas around
the Treshnish Isles and Staffa.
The
Treshnish Isles are a central part of the scenery of the southern
Hebrides. Like a fleet of Dreadnoughts passing through the Hebrides
in line astern, these islands have been landmarks for travellers
through the Hebrides for at least 1000 years. The names of some
of the islands still reflect their importance to the Vikings who
once ruled in the Hebrides.
The
islands provide a breeding habitat for nationally important concentrations
of seabirds. At the Harp Rock on the island of Lunga, these are
particularly spectacular because dense aggregations of guillemots
can be viewed across a narrow but precipitous ravine providing a
singular view of a seabird colony. Amongst the fallen rocks on the
fossil beaches there are internationally important concentrations
of breeding storm petrels. These birds, which are the size of swallows,
are highly secretive and, to avoid being eaten by gulls, they only
come ashore at night from the deep ocean where they feed. During
winter, the islands provide valuable grazing for barnacle geese
and, in the autumn, the beaches are breeding habitat for nationally
important populations of Atlantic grey seals. In early summer it
is also possible to hear the rasping call of corncrakes on Lunga.
