Bernera Island facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Beàrnaraigh |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Bjørn's island, from Norse |
 The eastern shore opposite Achadun Castle |
|
| OS grid reference | NM794393 |
| Coordinates | 56°29′N 5°35′W / 56.49°N 5.58°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Mull |
| Area | 34 ha (0.13 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 58 m (190 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Bernera Island (also called Beàrnaraigh in Scottish Gaelic) is a special kind of island in Scotland. It's a tidal island, which means you can sometimes walk to it from the larger island of Lismore when the tide is low. It's located in an area called Argyll.
Contents
Island History
Bernera Island has a long and interesting past.
Early Settlers
Around the 500s, monks from the Irish Culdee church came to live on Bernera. They were led by a holy person named St. Moluag.
Saint Columba's Retreat
Another famous saint, St. Columba, also visited Bernera. He used the island as a quiet place for thinking, praying, and getting away from busy life. It's even said that he might have preached under, or even planted, a very large yew tree there. This special tree's wood was later used to build a staircase for Lochnell Castle. People say the staircase survived two fires that burned down the rest of the castle!
Old Buildings
Today, you can still find the remains of an old chapel and a burial ground on the island. These ruins remind us of the island's ancient history.
Nature on Bernera
Bernera Island is a great place for nature lovers because of its unique environment.
Limestone and Plants
The island is made of limestone. This type of rock helps many different kinds of plants and animals to grow there. Bernera Island is so special that it has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its important natural features. One rare plant found here is the rock whitebeam.
Seal Spotting
You can often see common seals visiting the shores of Bernera. They like to rest and play in the area between the high and low tide marks. This coastal area, along with other nearby small islands, is part of a larger protected area called the Eileanan agus Sgeirean Lios mòr Special Area of Conservation. This helps to keep the seals and their habitat safe.
