ISLE of SKYE |
Mineral Collecting Localities MOONEN BAY |
ISLE of SKYE |
Mineral Collecting Localities MOONEN BAY |
ISLE of SKYE Location Photo Galleries Sgurr nam
Cearcall, Mineral Photo Galleries analcime - chabazite - cowlesite - erionite - heulandite laumontite - stilbite - mordenite - natrolite - thomsonite - stellerite apophyllite - gyrolite - offretite - levyne - mesolite calcite - Skye marble - prehnite - talc - quartz- clinohumite - zircon |
Moonen Bay
Moonen Bay, Isle of Skye -
A partial view of the cliffs from the shoreline
with Ramasaig Bay in view also. This relatively new mineral locality has become, along with Sgurr nam Boc, one of the premier collecting sites on the Isle of Skye. For variety and quality of species, it is arguably the best. The discovery of apophyllite at the location created an immediate interest in the locality. Additionally, specimens of chabazite and heulandite of good quality were uncovered. The rarer zeolite minerals that are found tend to crystallize in isolation in the smaller vesicles - normally with few or no associated species. Examples of these, such as cowlesite and phillipsite, are also of collector interest for their quality. Since the initial finds, further trips revealed more fine examples, including a few more examples of apophyllite. However, in more recent years, the finds have tended to be much more sporadic and less spectacular. Although the cliffs of Moonen Bay - approaching 1,000 feet above sea level - are not the highest on the island, they are perhaps the most impressive of the island's numerous sea cliffs. Collecting Collectors, D McCallum and M. Wood, along with J.G. Todd & M. MacMullan, discovered the site in 1995. Since then, the specimens encountered have rendered the location one of Skye's most important mineral sites. It is rather unusual the site was overlooked by Heddle when he scoured the country for mineral locations over a century ago. Nonetheless, it is refreshing to have a major mineral site uncovered in present times which has yielded specimens of the finest quality both by national as well as international standards. |
Moonen Bay - A view of the cliffs and the boulder-strewn beach. |
Moonen Bay - panoramic view of the coastline. |
| The locality is just south of the
most westerly point on the Isle of Skye, the Neist. This site forms an impressive headland with views seawards to Uist and Benbecula on the Outer Hebrides. Access
- Though access to the cliffs is not as difficult as Sgurr nam Boc, due preparation for accessing the beach and full safety equipment for the site are necessary. Tidal variations and rockslides are major considerations if collecting. Please be aware & be cautious! Location - NW Skye; OS Map Ref. - approx. NG 159 439. Minerals of Moonen Bay: analcime, chabazite, cowlesite, erionite, heulandite, laumontite, levyne, mesolite, offretite, phillipsite, stellerite, stilbite, thomsonite, apophyllite-(KOH), gyrolite, quartz (chalcedony), calcite, gypsum, copper, pyrite. |
A large rockslide close to the area where |
All photographs courtesy of D. McCallum & M. Wood, except where stated. Photographs of some of the zeolites found at Moonen Bay & elsewhere can be viewed on the zeolite gallery pages. See links above. Further Reading/ References A full
account of the locality and its minerals can be found in
the UKJMM © Minerals of Scotland. |
