The Minch (Scottish Gaelic: A' Mhaoil) is a strait in north-west Scotland that separates the mainland from Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides. It was known as Skotlandsfjörð ("Scotland's firth") in Old Norse.
| The Minch | |
|---|---|
| A' Mhaoil (Scottish Gaelic) | |
 Map of the Hebrides, showing the Minch | |
  The Minch | |
| Location | Outer Hebrides |
| Coordinates | 58°04′59″N 05°59′55″W / 58.08306°N 5.99861°W |
| Type | Strait |
| Frozen | No |
The Minch's southern extension, which separates Skye from the middle islands of the Hebridean chain, is known as the Little Minch. It opens into the Sea of the Hebrides.
Geography
The Minch and Little Minch form part of the Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland, as defined by the International Hydrographic Organization.
The Minch ranges from 14 to 45 miles (23 to 72 km) wide and is approximately 70 miles (110 km) long. It is believed to be the site of the biggest meteorite ever to hit the British Isles. The Little Minch is about 15 miles (24 km) wide. In June 2010 Eilidh Macdonald became the first person to swim across it from Waternish Point on Skye to Rodel on Harris, in a time of 9+1⁄2 hours.
Navigation
A traffic separation scheme operates in the Little Minch, with northbound traffic proceeding close to Skye, and southbound close to Harris. Commercial ferry services across the Minch are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.
Lighthouses
In the south, its entrance is marked by lighthouses at Barra Head, Ushenish and Hyskeir. On Skye, there are lights at Neist Point, Vaternish and An t-Iasgair. The Outer Hebrides are marked by Weavers Point, Eilean Glas, Tiumpan Head and Butt of Lewis. To the east are Rubha Réidh, Stoer Head and Cape Wrath lighthouses.
Other navigational aids
A buoy marks Eugenie Rock (named after the vessel which grounded there in May 1859) and the nearby Sgeir Graidach. Previously, these hazards were marked by a red-painted beacon on Sgeir Graidach, the foundations of which can still be seen at low tide.
Mythology
The mythological blue men of the Minch live in the area.
Conservation
The Minch Project is a collaboration of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage that aims to reduce pollution, minimise erosion, minimise litter and promote tourism in the Minch, particularly wildlife tourism such as dolphin watching. Pollution is a particular concern as the Minch is a busy shipping lane; 2.5 million tonnes (2.8 million short tons) of shipping pass through the channel each month.
See also
- Mid-Minch Gaelic
Notes and references
- Anderson, Joseph, ed. (1990) [1893]. Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin; Gilbert Goudie. James Thin and Mercat Press. ISBN 978-0-901824-25-7.
- Hogan, C. Michael (13 May 2013). "Sea of the Hebrides". In Saundry, P; Cleveland, C. J. (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- "Limits of Oceans and Seas" (PDF). Nature. 172 (4376) (3rd ed.): 484. 1953. Bibcode:1953Natur.172R.484.. doi:10.1038/172484b0. S2CID 36029611. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- Rincon, Paul (26 March 2008). "'Biggest UK space impact found'". BBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- Amos, Jonathan (9 June 2019). "Scientists close in on hidden Scottish meteorite crater". BBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- Churchill, Caroline (4 June 2010) "Record-breaker: speed bonnie Eilidh, over the sea from Skye." Glasgow; The Herald.
- "Swimmer completes Minch challenge". BBC News. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- Chart C66 :Mallaig to Rubha Reidh and Outer Hebrides. Imray. ISBN 978-1846235016.
- "Lighthouse Library". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Site NG29SW 8026 (295201)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Site NG37NW 8001 (284497)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- The Western Isles. The Yachtsman's Pilot. Imray. 2001. p. 80. ISBN 978-0852886915.
- Speight, Toby. "NG3486: Sgeir Greadach". Geograph. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- Emerson, Stephen (12 February 2014). "Fact of the week:Blue men of the Minch". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
External links
- Map sources for The Minch
- Western Isles local government Minch project
- Gazetteer for Scotland
The Minch Scottish Gaelic A Mhaoil is a strait in north west Scotland that separates the mainland from Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides It was known as Skotlandsfjord Scotland s firth in Old Norse The MinchA Mhaoil Scottish Gaelic Map of the Hebrides showing the MinchThe MinchLocationOuter HebridesCoordinates58 04 59 N 05 59 55 W 58 08306 N 5 99861 W 58 08306 5 99861TypeStraitFrozenNo The Minch s southern extension which separates Skye from the middle islands of the Hebridean chain is known as the Little Minch It opens into the Sea of the Hebrides GeographyThe Little Minch view towards Loch nam Madadh The Minch and Little Minch form part of the Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland as defined by the International Hydrographic Organization The Minch ranges from 14 to 45 miles 23 to 72 km wide and is approximately 70 miles 110 km long It is believed to be the site of the biggest meteorite ever to hit the British Isles The Little Minch is about 15 miles 24 km wide In June 2010 Eilidh Macdonald became the first person to swim across it from Waternish Point on Skye to Rodel on Harris in a time of 9 1 2 hours NavigationA traffic separation scheme operates in the Little Minch with northbound traffic proceeding close to Skye and southbound close to Harris Commercial ferry services across the Minch are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne Lighthouses In the south its entrance is marked by lighthouses at Barra Head Ushenish and Hyskeir On Skye there are lights at Neist Point Vaternish and An t Iasgair The Outer Hebrides are marked by Weavers Point Eilean Glas Tiumpan Head and Butt of Lewis To the east are Rubha Reidh Stoer Head and Cape Wrath lighthouses Other navigational aids A buoy marks Eugenie Rock named after the vessel which grounded there in May 1859 and the nearby Sgeir Graidach Previously these hazards were marked by a red painted beacon on Sgeir Graidach the foundations of which can still be seen at low tide MythologyThe mythological blue men of the Minch live in the area ConservationThe Minch Project is a collaboration of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar the Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage that aims to reduce pollution minimise erosion minimise litter and promote tourism in the Minch particularly wildlife tourism such as dolphin watching Pollution is a particular concern as the Minch is a busy shipping lane 2 5 million tonnes 2 8 million short tons of shipping pass through the channel each month See alsoMid Minch GaelicNotes and referencesAnderson Joseph ed 1990 1893 Orkneyinga Saga Translated by Jon A Hjaltalin Gilbert Goudie James Thin and Mercat Press ISBN 978 0 901824 25 7 Hogan C Michael 13 May 2013 Sea of the Hebrides In Saundry P Cleveland C J eds The Encyclopedia of Earth National Council for Science and the Environment Retrieved 4 June 2014 Limits of Oceans and Seas PDF Nature 172 4376 3rd ed 484 1953 Bibcode 1953Natur 172R 484 doi 10 1038 172484b0 S2CID 36029611 Retrieved 28 December 2020 Rincon Paul 26 March 2008 Biggest UK space impact found BBC News Retrieved 10 June 2019 Amos Jonathan 9 June 2019 Scientists close in on hidden Scottish meteorite crater BBC News Retrieved 10 June 2019 Churchill Caroline 4 June 2010 Record breaker speed bonnie Eilidh over the sea from Skye Glasgow The Herald Swimmer completes Minch challenge BBC News 4 June 2010 Retrieved 28 August 2011 Chart C66 Mallaig to Rubha Reidh and Outer Hebrides Imray ISBN 978 1846235016 Lighthouse Library Northern Lighthouse Board Retrieved 15 January 2011 Historic Environment Scotland Site NG29SW 8026 295201 Canmore Retrieved 20 September 2012 Historic Environment Scotland Site NG37NW 8001 284497 Canmore Retrieved 20 September 2012 The Western Isles The Yachtsman s Pilot Imray 2001 p 80 ISBN 978 0852886915 Speight Toby NG3486 Sgeir Greadach Geograph Retrieved 20 September 2012 Emerson Stephen 12 February 2014 Fact of the week Blue men of the Minch The Scotsman Archived from the original on 15 July 2014 Retrieved 5 June 2014 External linksMap sources for The MinchWestern Isles local government Minch project Gazetteer for Scotland Portal Scotland
