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The Minch

Strait in Scotland

Summary

Strait in Scotland

Field	Value
name	The Minch
native_name	gd
image	File:Hebridesmap.png
caption	Map of the Hebrides, showing the Minch
location	Outer Hebrides
coordinates
type	Strait
catchment
date-built
date-flooded
length
width
area
depth
max-depth
volume
shore
elevation
temperature_high
temperature_low
frozen	No
pushpin_map	Scotland

| date-built = | date-flooded = | max-depth =

The Minch () 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'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 wide and is approximately 70 mi long. It is believed to be the site of the biggest meteorite ever to hit the British Isles. The Little Minch is about 15 mi 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 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 e6t of shipping pass through the channel each month.

References

(1990). "Orkneyinga Saga". James Thin and Mercat Press.
Hogan, C. Michael. (13 May 2013). "Sea of the Hebrides". National Council for Science and the Environment.
(1953). "Limits of Oceans and Seas". Nature.
Rincon, Paul. (26 March 2008). "'Biggest UK space impact found'". BBC News.
Amos, Jonathan. (9 June 2019). "Scientists close in on hidden Scottish meteorite crater". BBC News.
Churchill, Caroline (4 June 2010) "Record-breaker: speed bonnie Eilidh, over the sea from Skye." Glasgow; ''The Herald''.
(4 June 2010). "Swimmer completes Minch challenge". BBC News.
"Chart C66 :Mallaig to Rubha Reidh and Outer Hebrides". Imray.
"Lighthouse Library". [[Northern Lighthouse Board]].
{{Historic Environment Scotland
{{Historic Environment Scotland
(2001). "The Western Isles". Imray.
Speight, Toby. "NG3486: Sgeir Greadach". Geograph.
Emerson, Stephen. (12 February 2014). "Fact of the week:Blue men of the Minch". The Scotsman.

Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

scottish-coast straits-of-scotland landforms-of-highland-(council-area) landforms-of-the-outer-hebrides european-seas

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