Designación o elección de los miembros de la comisión de

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Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas 10. North West Skye SLA Ref.

number/Name

10. North West Skye

Location and Extent

REFER TO MAP FIGURE 10

This large area covers much of Skye’s north western

peninsulas of Waternish, Duirinish and Minginish, extending from to Waternish Point in the north to Loch Brittle in the south and including Lochs Dunvegan and Loch Bracadale. Area 537.68km2 (53768.87ha)

Overview This SLA includes some of the most varied and dynamic scenery to be found within Highland’s landscapes. A coastal landscape of dramatic cliffs, and headlands, isolated bays, and intimate beaches contrasts with a stepped moorland interior which often has distinctive hills shaped by their volcanic origins. The complex interplay of land and sea provides an ever-changing sequence of views, many of which extend outwards across the full width of the Minch. The larger sea lochs in this area - Loch Dunvegan and Loch Bracadale, include all these elements and have the added interest of varied offshore islands. The distinctive flat-topped hills of MacLeod’s Tables form a prominent local landmark from throughout the SLA, whilst the high cliffs of Moonen Bay and Biod an Athair are visible even from Harris on the other side of the Minch.

Key Landscape and Visual Characteristics

 A sequence of dominant peninsulas separated by deep penetrating sea lochs and bays around the north western coast, creating one of the most varied and dynamic areas of scenery to be found within a Highland coastal landscape.  The repetitive smooth stepped moorland interior, fashioned by the largest

expanse of basaltic lava plateau in Britain, creates a simple landscape

composition which contrasts strongly with the variety, intimacy and intricacy of the coastal seascape.

 Extensive sections of remote coastline are dominated by an ever changing pattern of dramatic cliffs, prominent headlands, sea stacks, cobble beaches and sandy bays. There is a varied backcloth of open water, lochs, islands and rising hills.

 Whilst coastal roads in this area provide fine views, much of the area, including some of the most dramatic sections of coastline, is roadless and accessible to most people only by foot.

 The distinctive white coastal and moorland crofting settlements display simple linear geometric patterns which contrast with the dynamic composition between sea and land. These are generally clustered in coastal locations and up the sides of small glens.

 Extensive moorland landscapes only sporadically interspersed with areas of scrub woodland, small plantations and small-scale agricultural fields.

 Frequent large-scale panoramic views over moorland, coastline, small islands, skerries and seascape. The exposure of much of this area to the prevailing west and southwesterly winds, and the changing light conditions, emphasise the interplay between land and sea.

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 There is an overriding sense of openness, exposure and a horizontal emphasis of land and seascape, not only due to the distant horizon, but also due to the stepped landform.

 The small-scale settlements which occupy the more sheltered stretches of coast contrast with the remote coastal cliffs which are exposed to the full force of nature.

 Visual detractors in this landscape include the views to wind farms with their large scale man made, moving elements which contrast with the small scale of croft houses. Fish farms are further manmade elements which are visible in coastal views across sheltered inlets. Coastal litter diminishes the enjoyment of some beaches.

Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas 10. North West Skye Special Qualities

Dynamic Coastline

 The dominant and defining influence is the relationship between land and sea which can be experienced from commanding coastal viewpoints such as Biod an Athair, Idrigill Point, or Oronsay Island, or in intimate corners such as Loch Bharcasaig or the inner reaches of Loch Dunvegan.

 Extensive, unbroken stretches of coastline are accessible only by boat (in calm weather) or on foot. Access along the shore is only available at low tide in some locations.

 The dynamic composition between land, sea and sky creates an ever-changing sequence of dramatic coastal panoramas.

 The variety of coastal features creates a diverse seascape character seen as an ever changing sequence from the meandering coastal roads, tracks and footpaths.

 The impressive sea stacks of MacLeod’s Maidens and the small coral beaches at Dunvegan and Glenbrittle are popular attractions.

Distinctive Terrain

 Sequence of dramatic peninsulas separated by deep penetrating sea lochs and large scale complex bays.

 MacLeod’s Tables form prominent flat-topped landmarks from within and around the SLA, rising above the generally uniform and low lying moorland landscape. These have a close relationship with Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the Clan Macleod which is a popular visitor attraction.

Crofting landscapes

 The sense of remoteness and tranquillity experienced among the more traditional crofting settlements of Waternish is pronounced due to the fact that access is obtained via a no through road.

 Small-scale dwellings nestle in the shelter of the landscape along the coast or in narrow glens.

 Unish, the most northerly and one of the best preserved examples of the townships on Waternish, is protected as a Scheduled Monument. The majority of these earlier settlements are now abandoned and stand as ruins in the landscape. Interspersed amongst the township ruins are the remains of still older settlement from the Bronze and Iron Ages.

 The cleared settlement bordering Galtrigill to the north is notable in the completeness of its survival.

 Heading along the Waternish peninsula to the north, the settlements predate the apportioned regular layout of their southern neighbours. They are characterised by a cluster of small farmsteads, each with a network of with irregular field systems and enclosures collectively forming small townships with head dykes; with groups of shielings extend up into the surrounding hills.

 The coastal strip overlooking Loch Dunvegan, from Skinidin to Galtrigil, is characterised by an almost unbroken string of crofting townships exhibiting a mixture of linear strip cultivation and a patchwork of sub-rectangular field systems.

 Crofting townships are clustered around Glen Dale which with no distinct boundaries between individual settlements forms an almost continuous ring of crofts around the Glen.

 Harlosh to Bracadale is an almost continuous patchwork of sub-rectangular field systems and small townships. On the peripheries are a number of interesting prehistoric remains, most notably Dun Beag, the well preserved remains of a broch with a burial cairn to the south, and a hillfort to the north.

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 At Minginish there are sporadic remains of shielings and the occasional prehistoric roundhouse dotted throughout the hills with a notable concentration along Sleadale Burn, south of Talisker.

 On the lower slopes of the hills overlooking Loch Eynort to the south, there are a network of relic field boundaries, irregular enclosures, and remains of township buildings representing a sizeable depopulated settlement.

Sensitivity to change  Coastal and marine development which would introduce

incongruous man made elements into views over open water or from shore to shore across bays and inlets.

 Buildings or structures in the exposed cliff top landscape which would interrupt the expansive coastal panoramas and vistas from surrounding areas, especially where coastal horizons would be interrupted.

 Further large scale structures which would significantly increase the incidences of such features intruding on coastal and mountain views.

 Settlement expansion which would dilute the traditional linear and scattered settlement patterns or which would alter the balance of scale of individual and groups of dwellings and their relationship with the landscape.

 Additional prominent visual features within the moorland landscape which would compromise the simplicity of the existing landscape quality.

 Increased formal provision of facilities for visitors which would threaten the current relative remoteness experienced outside the existing settlements.

 The appearance of land based marine aquaculture developments including materials and debris.

 Development could impinge on the setting of historic features or landscapes.

Potential for landscape enhancement

 Reinstate areas of post and wire fencing with traditional stone walls and repair walls where dilapidated

 Regeneration of native woodland in combination with removal or redesign of coniferous plantations to reflect landforms.

Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas 10. North West Skye Other

designations/interests

 This SLA borders The Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area (NSA).  Dunvegan Castle is an inventory of Garden and Designed

Landscape and makes a major contribution to the surrounding local scenery.

 A popular story has it that the in order to impress visitors the Chief of the Clan MacLeod dined with them atop Healabhal Mor

(MacLeod’s Tables), surrounded by torch-carrying clansmen.

 The coastal and inland cliffs of Talisker Site of Special Scientific Interest are designated in part for their volcanic rock formations  Aird Mhor (Ardmore), just to the west of Trumpan Church (which is

an attractive ruin of a medieval church) is the site of a battle which took place between 1530 and 1540. See

http://her.highland.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=MHG4836 for a (bloody) account and the recorded location.

 Stein Village conservation area has a collection of attractive white harled (predominantly) 1½ storey terraced houses. It is all that was built of the British Fisheries Society’s planned fishing port

overlooking Loch Bay (an aborted T Telford scheme from the 1790’s).

 Borreraig is notable for its association with the MacCrimmon dynasty of pipers and it is here they founded the famous piping college, c.1500, the ruins of which survive.

 At Carbost is the Talisker Distillery which was reconstructed following a fire in 1961

 To the south of Eynort, situated at the head of Loch Eynort are the attractive remains of St. Maelrubha's Chapel; an 18th century ruinous church alongside an earlier equally ruinous chapel.

Landscape Character The Landscape Character Types found in this area are described in: Stanton, C. 1996. Skye and Lochalsh landscape assessment.

Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 71.

All Landscape Character Assessments can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at www.snh.org.uk