Horse Island Summer Isles

Introduction

Horse Island is a low-lying, undisturbed and uninhabited island. This little Scottish island sits under the shadow of Ben Mhor Coigach and is said to hide Spanish treasure.

Scotislands Horse island low lying — Low lying Horse Island with Iolla Mhor reef ahead

Location

Information

Horse Island

Horse Island is one of the first islands on the way out of Loch Broom from Ullapool. Like many Scottish islands Horse island has no census record but there are some local accounts of habitation in the early 19th century.

Scottish island sailing yacht entering quiet bay — Nudging into the anchorage and the tidal passage between Horse and Meal nan Gabhar islands

Scottish Islands Horse island anchorage — Dinghy, bay, yacht, Coigach

Scottish islands sandstone — 2bn year old sandstone

The island is made of Torridon Sandstone and started life near the equator as the landmass we know and love as Scotland was making its long slow geological journey northwards. Horse island is yet another wonderful example of un-grazed deep grass, heather, mosses, cotton grass, lichens and wild flowers.

Scottish Islands cotton meadow — Bog cotton dances in the meadows

Deep grass meadows

I have had several landings on Horse Island but 3rd July 2017 as a special day. It was part of my Summer Isles Six, when on one day I was to summit six islands. Trade Winds was anchored under Meal an Fhitich cliffs (G. – raven’s hill) and settled nicely in very light airs. The trip to the islands summit Sgurr nan Uan (G. – conical hill of the lambs) at 60m was enjoyable and challenging. Running and striding-out in deep mattress soft mosses and grass had me tumble on many occasions. This as a result of my landing foot disappeared into a rut or hidden stream.

Scottish island horse island — Grass flats with Coigach in the background

The top is a wonderful plateau of grass that shimmered in the lifting breeze. Bare sandstone shows through the surface vegetation and in places is covered with the most wonderful lichens and mosses of all colours.

Scotislands sandstone lichen — Amazing lichen colours on oink sandstone

Achiltibuie — Looking north to Badentarbat bay and Achilibuie

Shipwreck

It is folklore that a ship from the Spanish Armada was wrecked on the shores but despite hopes being raised in the 19th centaury when a gold doubloon was accidentally found there remains no further sign of any treasure.

Scotislands summit horse island — Unspoilt, untrampled and clear air cairn!

Goat Poops

The only sign of human endeavour to be seen on the island is the cairn at the summit and low stone walled shelter for past resident sheep. Wild goats are said to live on the island but I certainly did not spot any signs on my whistle stop visit. The vital sign of ‘poops’ on bare stones was not evident. Perhaps proof of goats being longstanding residents is the fact that the adjoining islet Meal nan Gabhar is in Gaelic – hill of the she goats.

Scottish islands old sheep pen summer isles — Remnants of the sheep pen

Bagging neighbouring island

Conditions prompted the plan to scale the neighbouring island Meal nam Gabhar. I carefully scrambled over the seaweed covered boulders that dry at low water so providing a connection between the two islands.

Sanstone islands — First approach to Meall nan Gabhar

Scottish Islands Meal nan Gabhar staircase — Meal nan Gabhar staircase

Faced with unpassable sheer rocks I found a narrow crack in the rocks. After a quick clamber up the gap I surfaced onto yet another wonderful small plateau of grass and heather. My arrival on the top was heralded by circling squawking gulls, clearly not used to humans on their isle.