“The Minch”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

The Lower Minch ({{lang|gd|an Cuan Canach}}), also known as the Little Minch, is the Minch's southern extension, separating Skye from the lower Outer Hebrides: North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra etc. It opens into the Sea of the Hebrides. The Little Minch is the northern limit of the Sea of the Hebrides.^[2]

Geography

The Minch and Lower Minch form part of the Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland, as defined by the International Hydrographic Organization.^[3]

The Minch ranges from {{convert|14|to|45|mi|km}} wide and is approximately {{convert|70|mi|km}} long. It is believed to be the site of the biggest meteorite ever to hit the British Isles.^[4] The Lower Minch is about {{convert|15|mi|km}} 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 9.5 hours.^[5]^[6]

Navigation

A Traffic Separation Scheme operates in the Little Minch,^[7] 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 Rubh Re, Stoer Head and Cape Wrath lighthouses.^[8]

Other navigational aids

A buoy marks Eugenie Rock (named after the vessel that grounded there in May 1859)^[9]^[10] and the nearby Sgeir Graidach. Previously, these hazards were marked by a red-painted beacon on Sgeir Graidach,^[11] the foundations of which can still be seen at low tide.^[12]

Mythology

Conservation

The Minch Project is a collaboration of {{lang|gd|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 million tonnes (2.5M long tons; 2.8M short tons) of shipping pass through the channel each month.

See also

Notes and references

1. ^{{cite book |editor-last=Anderson |editor-first=Joseph |translator=Jón A. Hjaltalin |translator2=Gilbert Goudie |title=Orkneyinga Saga |year=1990 |origyear=1893 |publisher=James Thin and Mercat Press |isbn=978-0-901824-25-7}}
2. ^{{cite web |last=Hogan |first=C. Michael |date=13 May 2013 |url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sea_of_Hebrides?topic=49523 |title=Sea of the Hebrides |editor1-last=Saundry |editor1-first=P |editor2-last=Cleveland |editor2-first=C. J. |work=The Encyclopedia of Earth |publisher=National Council for Science and the Environment |accessdate=4 June 2014}}
3. ^{{cite journal |url=http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf|title=Limits of Oceans and Seas |journal=Nature |volume=172 |issue=4376 |page=484 |edition=3rd |year=1953 |accessdate=7 February 2010|bibcode=1953Natur.172R.484. |doi=10.1038/172484b0 }}
4. ^'Biggest UK space impact found', BBC News.
5. ^Churchill, Caroline (4 June 2010) "Record-breaker: speed bonnie Eilidh, over the sea from Skye." Glasgow; The Herald.
6. ^{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10224142 |title=Swimmer completes Minch challenge |date=4 June 2010 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=28 August 2011}}
7. ^{{cite book|title=Chart C66 :Mallaig to Rubha Reidh and Outer Hebrides|publisher=Imray|isbn=978-1846235016}}
8. ^{{cite web| url=http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Main/| title=Lighthouse Library| publisher=Northern Lighthouse Board| accessdate=15 January 2011}}
9. ^{{Canmore |num=295201 |desc=Site NG29SW 8026 |access-date=20 September 2012}}
10. ^{{Canmore |num=284497 |desc=Site NG37NW 8001 |access-date=20 September 2012}}
11. ^{{cite book |series=The Yachtsman's Pilot |title=The Western Isles |year=2001 |publisher=Imray |isbn=978-0852886915 |page=80}}
12. ^{{cite web |last=Speight |first=Toby| title=NG3486: Sgeir Greadach |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1879860 |publisher=Geograph |accessdate=20 September 2012}}
13. ^{{cite web |last=Emerson |first=Stephen |title=Fact of the week: Blue men of the Minch |work=The Scotsman |date=12 February 2014 |url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/fact-of-the-week-blue-men-of-the-minch-1-3304265 |accessdate=5 June 2014 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Q6SSzR5W |archivedate=5 June 2014 |deadurl=no}}