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CITATION
SOUTH MULL COAST
SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
ARGYLL & BUTE
Site Code: 1455
NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE:
NM 523204
OS 1:50,000 SHEET NO:
OS 1:25,000 SHEET NO:
Landranger Series 48
Explorer Series 373/375
AREA:
591.29 ha
NOTIFIED NATURAL FEATURES
Geological: Mineralogy: Mineralogy of Scotland
Geological: Igneous Petrology: Tertiary Igneous
Biological: Coastland: Maritime Cliff
DESCRIPTION
South Mull Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest comprises a 17km coastal strip
centred on Carsaig Bay. The site encompasses sheer cliffs and scree slopes which
follow an irregular sequence between cliff top and rocky shore. The Carsaig Bay
area has multiple geological interest. Sediments occur as a thin sequence beneath
lava flows and the significant volcanic rocks occur as thin sheets or sills which cut
through pre-existing rocks. The abundantly vegetated cliffs are covered with coastal
grassland with occasional coastal heath. Cliff ledge vegetation occurs over the lower
cliff slopes.
The igneous (volcanic) and sedimentary rocks of Carsaig Bay are of international
importance and encompass several unique features of Mull’s volcanic history 60
million years ago during the Tertiary geological period. The sedimentary sequence is
the best developed on Mull demonstrating a wide variety of rocks and providing
evidence of a varied climate, from hot and arid to warm and temperate.
Two volcanic sills of major importance cut through pre-existing rocks at the site. One
of these forms the island of Gamhnach Mhor and is composed of a rock called
alkaline syenite which is extremely unusual among rocks of the Tertiary age in
western Scotland. The other sill occurs at Nun’s Pass and is composed of more than
one type of volcanic rock. In addition, it contains unusual minerals including
sapphire, as well as representing the best locality for the mineral mullite. This locality
is therefore of major mineralogical significance.
Species rich coastal grasslands dominate the vegetated cliff slopes, with scattered
stands of coastal heath occurring over thinner soils. Ungrazed maritime grassland
occurs over the tops of inaccessible stacks. Lower sets of cliffs towards the sea
feature maritime cliff communities with ledge vegetation. Cliff top habitats feature
widespread red fescue Festuca rubra - plantain Plantago spp maritime grassland
with localised patches of bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta on more sheltered
ground.
The nationally scare thyme broomrape Orobanche alba occurs in
association with wild thyme Thymus polytrichus.
NOTIFICATION HISTORY
First notified under the 1949 Act: 1963, 1974.
Formerly known as Ross of Mull Coast.
Re-notified under the 1981 Act: 28 October 1988
Notification reviewed under the 2004 Act: 6 May 2008
REMARKS
Measured area of the site redigitised and corrected to 591.29 ha from 599 ha.