November 2006 - Canoeist Magazine

Guide
40
Loch Coruisk to the top of 965m Sgurr a Ghreadaidh
is one of the longest in Britain but the views from the
top reach to St Kilda. Sgurr Alasdair was first climbed
in 1873. Botanists will find this the only British
location of alpine rock cress. Porpoises may be found
in Loch Scavaig.
Soay Sound to the north of Soay has continuous
westerly flow. With clear conditions it is possible to
see perhaps 10m down onto sea urchins amongst the
variety of bootlace and other seaweeds and much less
to the striking varieties of jellyfish floating through.
Beyond the Cuillins the western half of the island is
a very large basic lava plateau. The peaks drop away
dramatically with Cnoc Leathan at 171m and Ceann
na Beinne at 225m although the shoreline is still steep.
Allt na Meacnaish drops down a long waterfall into a
small pool deep enough for swimming, a refreshing
way of removing the salt on a hot day. There are also
caves near by.
Atlantic grey seals collect at Sgeir Mhòr and the
The Allt na Meacnaish falls down into a deep pool..
CANOEIST November 2006
Rock sculptures along the north side of Soay Sound.
Eigg, Rùm and Canna seen across Sgeir M