Kirkibost

Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=57.56
longitude=-7.42
GridReference=NF758640
celtic name= Eilean Chirceboist
norse name=
meaning of name=
area= 205
area rank= 106=
highest elevation=7 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Uists and Barra
local authority=Outer Hebrides
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.] [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ]

Kirkibost is a low-lying island west of North Uist in the Scottish Outer Hebrides.

Geography

Kirkibost, along with neighbouring Baleshare, is covered by a machair system of coastal plains covered with shell sand, part covered by grass, with some sand dunes, fens and peat. Together with Baleshare, it forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.cite web| title=SSSI Management Statement: Baleshare & Kirkibost SSSI| author=Scottish Natural Heritage| date=March 2002| url=http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/pls/portal/SNHTest_Site_Docs.Show_Site_Document?p_pa_code=121&p_Doc_Type_ID=3| accessdate=2007-07-19] The small islands of Eilean Mòr, Bior-eilean and Sròmaigh lie between Kirkibost and North Uist.

Wildlife

The island is important for corncrakes, various wading birds and overwintering wildfowl.

Economy

Kirkibost has been cultivated in the past, but is now used only for seasonal cattle grazing.

References