Machir Bay
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| Machir Bay | |
|---|---|
 View of Machir Bay facing north-northwest | |
  Machir Bay | |
| Location | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°46′40″N 6°28′10″W / 55.77778°N 6.46944°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | North Atlantic Ocean |
| Max. length | 2.8 km (1.74 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.2 km (0.75 mi) |
| Settlements | Kilchoman |
Machir Bay is a small bay on the Western coast of the isle of Islay in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is one of the features of the Rhinns of Islay and lies within a few hundred metres of the small settlement of Kilchoman. To the north, the cape of Coul Point separates Machir Bay from Saligo Bay. Kilchiaran Bay lies immediately to the south.
The northern and southern parts of Machir Bay are largely rocky, with a sandy beach area near the top of the bay. Several small streams flow into the bay, notably Allt na Criche and Allt Gleann na Ceardaich, both of which flow into the north of the bay.
The area surrounding Machir Bay is sparsely populated today, but archeological evidence shows a long history of human settlement. There are remnants of two duns to the southeast of the bay: one, Dun Neadean is located on a rocky knoll by the coastline, near the old road between Kilchoman and another small hamlet to the south, Kilchiaran. The enclosed area covers an area of 20 metres by 13. There remains little more of the 3.5 metre-thick wall than foundations covered in grass.[1] The second dun, Dun Chroisprig is also located on a hill. Its outer wall roughly encompasses the hill, with a diameter of about 13 metres. An entrance 1.5 metres in width faces to the west-northwest.[2]
