Carmel Head

Carmel Head (Welsh: Trwyn y Gadair)[1] is a prominent coastal headland on the northwest tip of the island of Anglesey.

Carmel Head

It is a designated SSSI because of its geological interest for the Carmel Head Thrust fault where Precambrian rocks have been pushed over younger Ordovician rocks creating the Carmel Head thrust. Rock exposures along the cliffs of Carmel Head include Precambrian gneisses, which are almost certainly the oldest rocks in Wales.[2]

Off-shore from the head lie the islands of the Skerries and to the east of the Skerries three further islands, West Mouse, Middle Mouse and East Mouse. On West Mouse is a large white-painted column which is matched on Carmel Head by two further columns, known locally as the "Three White Ladies". They were constructed in the 1860s as navigation aids: lining up the three columns marks the position of a shallow reef offshore that was a grave danger to shipping.[3]

In the summer months the Anglesey Coastal Path passes over Carmel Head on a permissive path but in winter the path is closed to all for pheasant shooting.[4]

References
  1. "Anglesey Place Names". Isle of Anglesey County Council.
  2. "SSSIs: Carmel Head". Countryside Council for Wales. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  3. "Carmel Head/Trwyn y Gader - The navigation markers". penmorfa.com. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  4. Johnson, Lou. "Walk 3580 - Carmel Head & the Skerries from near Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey". Walking Britain. Retrieved 5 March 2014.

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