Vatersay Bay CoastSnap

Tuesday night (11th of June) saw the Launch of Vatersay Bay CoastSnap, a citizen science project that will help the communities of Vatersay monitor the dunes on the east side that are vulnerable to erosion.

The newly installed CoastSnap is sited above the road as you enter Vatersay Bay. 

The CoastSnap station offers a fixed point (phone cradle) where photographs of a vulnerable coastline can be taken using a smartphone, by anyone passing. These images are then uploaded to the CoastSnap app. The accumulation of images over time allows communities and researchers to monitor the change, identify weak spots and determine the action needed.

The installation of the Vatersay station involved collaboration between the Vatersay Association, Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh (Barra & Vatersay Community) Limited, Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay and researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University. This project was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.

How do I take part?

1. Before you go to the site at Vatersay:

 a. Download the free CoastSnap app through Google Play or Apple App store.

 b. Create an account on the app with your email address.

2. Go to the CoastSnap site in Vatersay and start observing. 

 a.  Open your app, pop your smartphone in the cradle and take a picture.

Heather Lynch from Glasgow Caledonian University said

"Vatersay Bay’s new CoastSnap station will enable the people of Vatersay and visitors to join a worldwide community of people seeking to minimise the harm caused by coastal erosion. Coastal erosion presents a problem for many coastal communities throughout the world. When coastlines break down this can put buildings, roads, supply lines, rail tracks and airport runways at risk of flooding. In Scotland, 19% of the coastline is believed to be vulnerable.  People who have lived and worked on the land for generations know that coastal change is not new. Over time they have seen some areas erode and others build up, as sand and rock move with the flow of tides and wind.  The communities of Barra and Vatersay have much experience in managing coastal change. The intricate coastlines of these isles endure the force of the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the storms of the Minch to the east. Dynamic Coast forecasts indicate that this knowledge is needed now, more than ever. Climate change and the associated problems of rising sea levels and an increased number of storms and extreme weather events are exacerbating the natural erosion process and accelerating the process of change. It is therefore important that coastal communities are aware of places that are at risk.  This knowledge will empower them with foresight of where action might be needed and how to prepare for possible impacts."

CoastSnap originated in Australia, developed by the University of New South Wales, and is now a community of people and CoastSnap sites worldwide monitoring coastlines.  Vatersay now is one of over 200 sites over 21 different countries.  Once you have downloaded the app, and if you are travelling you can also take pictures at other CoastSnap sites across the world.  There is currently one other site in the Outer Hebrides and this is at Lioncleit in Benbecula.

Please support this work to protect the dunes of the spectacular Vatersay Bay by visiting the station and taking photographs that add to the monitoring archive.