The Minch ( An Cuan Sgìth) or Sea of the Hebrides ( An Cuan Barrach)

Over the past few weeks I have been writing an introductory summary for a new website

muiristir.co.uk

Muir is Tìr is a project that is looking at coastal erosion in Barra and Vatersay in the Western Isles of Scotland.  Three sites are being surveyed, and it is hoped that some Nature Based Solutions will be identified to combat the effects of erosion brought about by climate change.

In describing the site at Vatersay I came across a dilemma.  That is how to describe the sea to the east of the island.  A colleague had written Sea of the Hebrides.  The proofreader had changed this to The Minch.  Which is the correct name?  And what should I go with?

I decided to do a small survey, I asked people I met in the shops, phoned friends and colleagues.  Everyone I spoke to referred to this area as The Minch although the official name as used on maps and sea charts is Sea of the Hebrides.

As the people who travel across this stretch of water and fish there call it The Minch, I felt that it was appropriate to call it by that name.

Mary Ann Ferguson, Community and Public Engagement Officer