Torsa - Izeria

Torsa (occasionally Torsay) is one of the Slate Islands in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Lying east of Luing and south of Seil, this tidal island was inhabited until the 1960s. There is now only one house there, which is used for holiday lets. The underlying bedrock is slate but unlike Torsa's immediate island neighbours this has never been worked commercially. The island's name is of Norse origin but the most prominent historical structure on the island is the ruined Caisteal nan Con on the northeast shore, once held by Clan Campbell. The abundant sea life in the waters surrounding the island are protected by the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area.

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Cuan Sound

Cuan Sound is a narrow channel, 200 metres (660 ft) wide, located in Argyll, western Scotland. It separates Seil and Luing and later becomes the Firth of Lorn. It has a very strong current. In Cuan Sound, the north-going stream begins 4.5 hours after high water Oban and sets westward; the south-going stream begins 1.5 hours before high water Oban and sets eastward; the streams attain a rate of 7 knots at springs. This coast from Cuan Sound to Easdale Bay is in many places foul and rocky for 1.5 cables of it. Sgeir na Faoileann, a rock above water, one cable from the shore, and 3.5 cables northward of the entrance to Cuan Sound, is surrounded by foul ground, which extends 1.5 cables south-westward from it. Coirebhreacain and Cuan Sound are seldom attempted except near slack water.

Ballachuan Hazelwood

Ballachuan Hazelwood is an Atlantic hazelwood forest currently managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve. It is known as one of the best examples of Scottish temperate rainforest. It provides a habitat for many rare species such as hazel glove fungus which can only live in this extreme oceanic climate. The tree cover is mostly made up of common hazel stands, which are stunted due to the intense windy conditions.

Slate Islands, Scotland

The Slate Islands are an island group in the Inner Hebrides, lying immediately off the west coast of Scotland, north of Jura and southwest of Oban. The main islands are Seil, Easdale, Luing, Shuna, Torsa and Belnahua. Scarba and Kerrera, which lie nearby, are not usually included. The underlying geology of the islands is Dalradian slate, which was quarried widely until the mid-20th century. Quarry working began in 1630 and at the turn of the 20th century, the quarries were yielding some eight million slates every year. The Garvellachs lie to the southwest.

Ballachuan Loch

Ballachuan Loch is a small loch located on the island of Seil, Scotland. Part of the loch is located within the nature reserve of Ballachuan Hazelwood, meaning that the loch is rich with wildlife.