Scattery Island or Inis Cathaigh to use the Irish name is only 70 hectares in size, but this little part of Ireland has an abundance of nature’s bounty for the walker to enjoy.
Choose to walk alone or follow a guided nature walk, but do take your time. As you quietly walk the Island look carefully and you will find the most beautiful species of plants nestling in the varied habitats including salt marsh, coastal gravel banks, grassland, and scrub.
As Scattery Island is uninhabited nature has been left to flourish as it has intended giving the walker glimpses into flowers and plants, bird and animals. With no land-based predators, birds of prey like the Kestral and the endangered Hen Harrier are free to command the skies.
Although there are no large animals on Scattery, there is an abundant rabbit population as well as other smaller rodents and mammals, and evidence of a number of sea creatures including otters and seals.
During the balmy summer months, the island is a haven for a wide range birds, and the perfect opportunity to bring along your binoculars and bird watching books. Look out for the Hen Harrier, a protected species which has been nesting on the Ireland for the last number of years.
Expect to see beautiful butterflies too as they fly from flower to flower creating new life.
With the sound of the sea and the surf in the background, walkers are encouraged to identify species and photograph them for your memories.
Ruth Marshall, who has guided many walks on the Ireland introduces us to many of the Island’s treasures. You can read more about the island’s wildlife and plants here.
Leave no Trace – Take only the memories
‘In keeping with our Sustainability & Conservation code, please remember to respect and protect the island’s biodiversity and not pick or uproot wild plants or disturb nesting birds. Please also support our Leave no trace policy and take all picnic wrappers and plastic bottles home with you’.
The team at Scattery Island Tours