Silversea Luxury Cruises To Shiant Islands, Scotland

The shape of the eggs ensure they roll in a tight circle, preventing them disappearing off the ledge to the sea below. Cliffs of tall hexagonal columns, looking like the cross-section of an enormous honeycomb, provide a sensational setting for the birds. The rock formations were formed when molten volcanic magma cooled very slowly underground. Millions of years of erosion exposed the six-sided columns to the sea. The tallest of these are 120 metres (390 feet) high. The Shiant Islands are part of the Outer Hebrides and located between the Isles of Lewis and Skye. Historically, they have supported families of sheep grazers who could tolerate a lonely island outpost. The Shiants were known as the last place in Britain where the Black Rat occurred in substantial numbers. These rodents were originally introduced to Britain from Asia in Roman times but caused problems, especially eating eggs and chicks of seabirds. A successful eradication program eliminated the rats in 2016, ensuring the spectacular seabird breeding colonies continue to thrive.