Kirkibost (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Chirceaboist) is a low-lying island west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.[5]
| Scottish Gaelic name | Eilean Chirceaboist |
|---|---|
 Towards Kirkibost Island Looking out across the sea towards the sand dunes at the southern end of Kirkibost Island | |
| Location | |
  Kirkibost Kirkibost shown within the Outer Hebrides | |
| OS grid reference | NF758640 |
| Coordinates | 57°34′N 7°25′W / 57.56°N 7.42°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Uists and Barra |
| Area | 205 |
| Area rank | 105= [1] |
| Highest elevation | 7 m |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Outer Hebrides |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Geography
editKirkibost, along with neighbouring Baleshare, is covered by a machair system of coastal plains covered with shell sand, part covered by grass, with some sand dunes, fens and peat. Together with Baleshare, it forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[6] The small islands of Eilean Mòr, Bior-eilean and Sròmaigh lie between Kirkibost and North Uist.[4]
Wildlife
editThe island is important for corncrakes, various wading birds and overwintering wildfowl.[6]
Economy
editKirkibost has been cultivated in the past, but is now used only for seasonal cattle grazing.[6]
References
edit- ^ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- ^ NRS1C
- ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
- ^ a b Ordnance Survey. OS Maps Online (Map). 1:25,000. Leisure.
- ^ Gittings, Bruce; Munro, David. "Kirkibost". The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ a b c Scottish Natural Heritage (2011). "SSSI Management Statement: Baleshare & Kirkibost SSSI". Retrieved 10 December 2020.
57°33′30″N 7°25′15″W / 57.55833°N 7.42083°W
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