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Monach Isles

Outer Hebrides, Scotland  >  United Kingdom

Five uninhabited low lying islands, 5 miles west of North Uist. Unspoilt machair grassland and a huge seal colony.

Added* by Iain Crawford
Most recent update 30 oktober 2022
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Description

The Monach Isles have been uninhabited since 1948. The largest islands are 2 km in length and total area at high tide 348 hectares. At low tide the 3 main islands are interconnected. In autumn up to 10,000 grey seals come ashore to pup and mate. Basking sharks and cetaceans occasionally pass by. The main vegetation is machair, a mix of grasses and 200 wildflower species growing on fertile calcareous shell sand.

In the absence of cliffs, Mallemuk breed on the sand dunes. Other breeders here are Almindelig Ryle, Rødben, Vibe, Strandskade, Sanglærke, Engpiber, Skærpiber, Dobbeltbekkasin, Havterne and Stor Præstekrave. There are no trees, so the herons breed in abandoned buildings. Stenvender, Sandløber, Vandrefalk and Slørugle are occasional visitors, and a large flock of Bramgås spends the winter here.

Details

Access

Boat trips run from Grimsey in North Uist, or direct from Oban.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Lake , Beach , Grassland , Sea , Dunes

Conditions

Flat , High water possible , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Boat

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

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Map

Top 5 birds

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