Machir Bay
Machir Bay | |
---|---|
North Atlantic Ocean | |
Max. length | 2.8 km (1.74 mi) |
Max. width | 1.2 km (0.75 mi) |
Settlements | Kilchoman |
Machir Bay is a small
The northern and southern parts of Machir Bay are largely rocky, with a sandy beach area near the top of the bay. Several small streams flow into the bay, notably Allt na Criche and Allt Gleann na Ceardaich, both of which flow into the north of the bay.
Area
The area surrounding Machir Bay is sparsely populated today, but archeological evidence shows a long history of human settlement. There are remnants of two duns to the southeast of the bay: one, Dun Neadean is located on a rocky knoll by the coastline, near the old road between Kilchoman and another small hamlet to the south, Kilchiaran. The enclosed area covers an area of 20 metres by 13. There remains little more of the 3.5 metre-thick wall than foundations covered in grass.[1] The second dun, Dun Chroisprig is also located on a hill. Its outer wall roughly encompasses the hill, with a diameter of about 13 metres. An entrance 1.5 metres in width faces to the west-northwest.[2]
Shipwrecks
On 18 November 1835, the Stella, a vessel from Palermo bound for Greenock, ran aground at Machir Bay. The entire crew and part of the cargo were saved.[3]
On 16 November 1888, during a storm, a Norwegian barque, La Plata, sailing from Newcastle to Buenos Aires and carrying coal and coke, was wrecked at Machir Bay due to the sudden shift of unsecured cargo, causing the ship to list and run aground after becoming uncontrollable. 3 of 12 crewmen were lost.[4]
Perhaps the most famous incident was the wreck of
Miscellaneous
One of the whiskies made at the nearby Kilchoman distillery is named after Machir Bay.
A charity on Islay - Islay Development Initiative - has a range of candles made with Islay beeswax from their apiary of native dark European bees, named after beaches on the island using scents of plants found on each beach. Machir Bay scent is spearmint and chamomile. The Charity uses funds raised to support Islay BeachWatch, which keeps the beaches clear of marine litter.
References
- ^ S Piggott and C M Piggott 1948; F Newall 1962.
- ^ S Piggott and C M Piggott 1948; F Newall 1966; (undated) information in RCAHMS.
- ^ The Marine List, LL, No. 7111, London, Friday 27 November 1835.
- ^ PP Abstracts of Shipping Casualties on Coasts, or in Rivers and Harbours of the UK July 1888–89 (1890 [C.6115] LXVI.543)
- ISBN 978-1-4422-1342-5.