Eilean nan Ròn
Encyclopedia
Eilean nan Ròn is an island near Skerray
, in the north of Sutherland
, Scotland. 350 seal pups are born here annually.
Christina Bella Mackay, Hector Sinclair Mackay, Jessie Ann Mackay, Willie John Mackay, Hugh Campbell Mackay, Donald Mackay, Ina Mackay, Chrissie Dolina Mackay, Christina Mackay.
The ruins of settlement can be seen from the Skerray and in the waist of the island, between Mol na Coinnle ("Pebble Beach of the Candles") and Mol Mòr ("big pebble beach").
, which lie off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is mainly sandstone with steep cliffs on the north and east coasts and a natural arch at Leathad Ballach., which is 150 ft high, and 70 ft wide. The high points are Cnoc an Loisgein (76 metres/244 feet) and Cnoc na Caillich (75 metres). As Rev. Wilson wrote in 1882:
There are several islets and islands off Eilean nan Ròn. These include the tidal
Eilean Iosal (low island), and beyond it Meall Thailm (or "Meall Holm"). To the south west is the dully named An Innis ("small island"). The Rabbit Islands
are in Tongue Bay to the south west.
, that come here in their hundreds each autumn to pup. About 350 calves are born each year. The island is also home to large numbers of seabirds, and sheep, which were left when the Island was evacuated.
Skerray
Skerray is a remote hamlet on the north coast of Sutherland, Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish council area of Highland. There is an additional location called Skerray which is located 1 mile to the west.It is situated 6 miles northeast of Tongue....
, in the north of Sutherland
Sutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
, Scotland. 350 seal pups are born here annually.
History
Eilean nan Ròn was populated for many years, with seventy three people living there in 1881 and 30 in 1931. It has been uninhabited since 1938. Final Evacuation List:Christina Bella Mackay, Hector Sinclair Mackay, Jessie Ann Mackay, Willie John Mackay, Hugh Campbell Mackay, Donald Mackay, Ina Mackay, Chrissie Dolina Mackay, Christina Mackay.
The ruins of settlement can be seen from the Skerray and in the waist of the island, between Mol na Coinnle ("Pebble Beach of the Candles") and Mol Mòr ("big pebble beach").
Geography and geology
Eilean nan Ròn is not one of the HebridesHebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
, which lie off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is mainly sandstone with steep cliffs on the north and east coasts and a natural arch at Leathad Ballach., which is 150 ft high, and 70 ft wide. The high points are Cnoc an Loisgein (76 metres/244 feet) and Cnoc na Caillich (75 metres). As Rev. Wilson wrote in 1882:
- It looks like two islands, is mostly engirt with high precipitous rocks, includes a low tract of very fertile soil.
There are several islets and islands off Eilean nan Ròn. These include the tidal
Tidal island
A tidal island is a piece of land that is connected to the mainland by a natural or man-made causeway that is exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide. Because of the mystique surrounding tidal islands many of them have been sites of religious worship, such as Mont Saint Michel with its...
Eilean Iosal (low island), and beyond it Meall Thailm (or "Meall Holm"). To the south west is the dully named An Innis ("small island"). The Rabbit Islands
Rabbit Islands, Scotland
The Rabbit Islands are a group of three uninhabited small islands off the north coast of Sutherland, Scotland in Tongue Bay. In Scottish Gaelic, and occasionally in English, they are known as Eileanan nan Gall, which is sometimes anglicised as "Eilean-na-Gaeil" or "Eilean nan Gaill".-Geography...
are in Tongue Bay to the south west.
Wildlife
As the name implies, Eilean nan Ròn is popular with grey sealsPinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
, that come here in their hundreds each autumn to pup. About 350 calves are born each year. The island is also home to large numbers of seabirds, and sheep, which were left when the Island was evacuated.