Cycling on South Uist at Gramsdal, Cairinis, Outer Hebrides, Western Isles, Scotland. SCO 6461
Image details
Contributor:
David Gowans / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
BPG1TYFile size:
60 MB (2.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5620 x 3733 px | 47.6 x 31.6 cm | 18.7 x 12.4 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
23 June 2010Location:
Gramsdal, Cairinis, South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Western Isles, ScotlandMore information:
The west is machair (fertile low-lying coastal plain) with a continuous sandy beach whilst the east coast is mountainous with the peaks of Beinn Mhòr 620 metres (2, 034 ft) and Hecla 606 metres (1, 988 ft). The main village on the island is Lochboisdale (Loch Baghasdail), from which ferries sail to Oban on the mainland and to Castlebay (Bàgh a' Chaisteil) on Barra. The island is also linked to Eriskay and Benbecula by causeways. Smaller settlements include Daliburgh (Dalabrog), Howmore (Tobha Mòr) and Ludag. South Uist has a bedrock of Lewisian Gneiss[6][7], high grade Regional Metamorphism dating back to 2900 million years ago in the Archaean. Some show Granulite facies metamorphism, but most are the slightly lower temperature Amphibolite facies. These formed part of the Earth’s deep ancient crust, left here when the North Atlantic was formed. These are the oldest rocks in the British Isles today and they have been brought to the surface by tectonic movements. They now bear the scars of the last glaciation which has exposed them. Loch Druidibeg in the north of the island is a National Nature Reserve owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The reserve covers 1, 677 hectares of machair, bog, freshwater lochs, estuary, heather moorland and hill.[20] Over 200 species of flowering plants have been recorded on the reserve, some of which are nationally scarce. South Uist is considered the best place in the UK for the aquatic plant Slender Naiad (Najas flexilis)[21] which is a European Protected Species. Nationally important populations of breeding waders are also present, including redshank, dunlin, lapwing and ringed plover. The reserve is also home to greylag geese on the loch and in summer corncrakes on the machair. Otters and hen harriers are also seen.