Càrna

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Càrna
Location
Càrna (Scotland)
Càrna
Càrna
Càrna shown within Scotland.
OS grid reference: NM620590
Names
Gaelic name: Càrna
Meaning of name: possibly cairn island
Area and Summit
Area: 213 ha
Area rank (Scottish islands): 105
Highest elevation: Cruachan Chàrna 169 m
Population
Population (2001): 0


Groupings
Island Group: Inner Hebrides
Local Authority: Highland
Scotland
References: [1][2][3]

Càrna is an island in Loch Sunart close to the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland.

Contents

[edit] Geography

An old boat on Càrna
An old boat on Càrna

Càrna lies across the mouth of Loch Teacuis, forming two narrow kyles which provide some of the trickiest rock-dodging for yachtsmen anywhere on the west coast.[4] Moine schist bedrock of quartz-feldspar constitution, with mixed schists and mica schists in a west coastal strip.[2] A north-south ridge divides the island in two. From the heather covered rocky peak of Cruachan Chàrna, there are spectacular views over Oronsay, Loch Sunart, Morvern, Coll and Isle of Mull.[5]

[edit] Wildlife

A variety of habitats support willow warblers, redstarts, wheatears, whinchats, twites, ravens and kestrels. Eilean nan Gabhar (G. goat island) to the south is often covered in seals.[2]

[edit] Economy

Càrna is thought to be more fertile than its neighbour, Oronsay. The northern part of the island is named Bac a' Mhathachaidh (Scottish Gaelic: "cultivated bank"). The island is privately owned, by non residents and has several holiday houses.[2]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
  2. ^ a b c d Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
  3. ^ Ordnance Survey
  4. ^ Lawrence, Martin (2004). Yachtsman's Pilot: Isle of Mull and adjacent coasts. Imray. ISBN 0852886926. 
  5. ^ Island website. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.

Coordinates: 56°40′0″N 5°53′0″W / 56.66667, -5.88333