What is the Machair?

Machair is a Gaelic word that means fertile low lying grassy plain. This habitat is one of the rarest in Europe found only on the Western coast of Scotland and parts of Ireland. The machair is formed from lime-rich crushed shells that have washed up on the islands over thousands of years. The dunes systems forms have also been eroded by the powerful winds the islands are exposed to and have spread the sand in land. The machair encompasses this shallow sandy soil. This high pH environment is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and supports life all year around.


Crofting and the machair

The machair grassland landscape is abundant with wildflowers and is known for harbouring bird and insect life. During the Spring, corncrakes and breeding waders arrive while species like geese and lapwings can be found throughout over the Winter period. Moths and great yellow bumble bees are characteristic species found in the machair landscapes. Common flowers you may find on the machair are daisies, Irish lady’s-tresses, yarrow, red clovers, and Hebridean spotted orchid. Crofting practices have adapted in tandem with the environment. The machair is used for crop farming free of artificial fertilisers or pesticides. Some of the crops include oats, rye, poppies, hay that are planted on rotation.


Resources on the machair
Interested in spotting birds in the Outer Hebrides?
 Check out the checklist below for a comprehensive list of birds found in the Outer Hebrides. Many of which you may spot while walking across the Machair!

Western Isles Wildlife produced Checklist of the Birds of the Outer Hebrides