Owned by Rob McGill

Lying to the northwest of the Falklands archipelago, this is one of the most picturesque outer-lying islands. In its 100 plus years of habitation it has had only three environmentally conscious owners and an absence of cats and rats, making the luxuriant, well established hedges and trees an attractive home to many small birds such as the Cobb’s wren, Black-chinned siskins and Falklands thrush. The sandy beaches, rolling hills and low cliffs are superb platforms from which to view the multitude of sea and shore birds that either breed or feed on and around Carcass Island. These include the Gentoo and Magellanic penguin, Yellow-billed pintail and Flightless steamer duck, Magellanic oystercatcher, Rock shag, Striated caracara and Red-backed hawk.

Accommodation is in the owner’s house with all meals taken with the family. The house can accommodate up to 8 people in 1 double and 3 twin rooms all of which have ensuite bathroom facilities. Carcass Island is self-sufficient in organic vegetables, meat and dairy products, all of which you will be able to sample as it is prepared into typical Falklands ‘camp style’ fayre.

From here you will be able to enjoy the settlement gardens which have almost a tropical feel with their Monterey cypress trees, New Zealand cabbage palms and flax, and colourful array of flowers.

Stanley Hill, just behind the settlement, gives commanding views across Byron sound to West Falkland, and from Mount Byng (304m) one can see as far as the Jasons and Pebble Island on one side and away to New Island on the other.

Both the north and south of the island provide great hiking opportunities, taking in beaches (some good beachcombing), and interesting flora, penguin colonies, and sheltered dunes which make great picnic spots,

The care and freedom from predation has left Carcass Island with a slightly different ambiance to anywhere else in the Falklands which is immediately evident and which really needs to be experienced rather than described. As there are no guided excursions you will have plenty of time to explore this very special small island completely at your own leisure.