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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.