Scarp, Scotland
Encyclopedia
Scarp is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides
of Scotland
, west of Hushinish
on Harris. Once inhabited, the island was the scene of unsuccessful experiments with rocket mail, since commemorated in two films.
. The majority of the land is rocky and uncultivated, and is dominated by two hills, of which the higher reaches 308 metres (1,010 ft). There is a small area of low-lying fertile land in the south-east corner of the island, and here, closest to Harris, is where the inhabitants of the island once lived. The population of Scarp peaked at 213 in 1881, and as recently as the 1940s it was reported to be over 100. Scarp was one of several Scottish islands, including St Kilda
and Handa
, where all the men of the island would gather every morning in a so-called 'parliament', to agree the work to be done on that day. Such meetings would sometimes last for many hours, and on these occasions no work would be done, except by the women of the island.
Crofting
was the way of life on the island, mainly comprising sheep and dairy cattle rearing and fishing, in latter years principally lobster fishing, which provided an income for around 12 families.
Islanders were deeply religious and a Church of Scotland
Mission House was the focal point for Sunday worship and weekly prayer meetings.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a further decline in the island's population. The closure of the primary school in 1967 and the post office in 1968 were final blows and by the time of the 1971 census the population had dwindled to 12. By the end of 1971, the last permanent inhabitants of Scarp had moved to Harris. However, a few houses on the island are still in occasional use as private holiday homes.
, but the sea here is very shallow and landing on Scarp can be difficult when there is a swell. Whilst it is occasionally possible to wade from Scarp to Harris at very low tide, this is a dangerous exploit and lives have been lost attempting it.
Scarp was the site of an experiment by German
inventor Gerhard Zucker
to deliver the island's post by rocket mail
. In July 1934 Zucker made two unsuccessful attempts at firing rocket mail between Scarp and Harris. Singed envelopes from the exploded rocket can still be seen at the island museum.
, filmed on Taransay
. A second fictionalised drama of the same name
loosely based on this story was filmed in 2006 by director Stephen Whittaker
.
The artist, Norman Adams bought a croft house on the island in 1963 with his wife Anna and two sons, and painted many of his well known works there in his distinctive style over the next ten summers.
There are many references to the grave of Donald John MacLennan who is buried at Scarp Burial Ground in the book Not Forgotten (2006) by author Neil Oliver
. Donald died on 18 March 1917 when his ship struck a mine and was lost near Dunkirk during the First World War.
The mother of Hugh Dan MacLennan
, Gaelic broadcaster and shinty enthusiast hailed from Scarp.
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, west of Hushinish
Hushinish
Huisinish is a remote place on the west coast of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It lies at the end of a 12 mile long single track B road. The settlement of only four houses overlooking a white sand beach with views to the Atlantic...
on Harris. Once inhabited, the island was the scene of unsuccessful experiments with rocket mail, since commemorated in two films.
Geography
Scarp has an area of 1045 hectares (4 sq mi), divided into 16 croftsCroft (land)
A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...
. The majority of the land is rocky and uncultivated, and is dominated by two hills, of which the higher reaches 308 metres (1,010 ft). There is a small area of low-lying fertile land in the south-east corner of the island, and here, closest to Harris, is where the inhabitants of the island once lived. The population of Scarp peaked at 213 in 1881, and as recently as the 1940s it was reported to be over 100. Scarp was one of several Scottish islands, including St Kilda
St Kilda, Scotland
St Kilda is an isolated archipelago west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom and three other islands , were also used for...
and Handa
Handa, Scotland
Handa is an island off the west coast of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. It is and at its highest point.A small ferry sails to Handa from Tarbet on the mainland and boat trips operate to it from Fanagmore....
, where all the men of the island would gather every morning in a so-called 'parliament', to agree the work to be done on that day. Such meetings would sometimes last for many hours, and on these occasions no work would be done, except by the women of the island.
Croft (land)
A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...
was the way of life on the island, mainly comprising sheep and dairy cattle rearing and fishing, in latter years principally lobster fishing, which provided an income for around 12 families.
Islanders were deeply religious and a Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
Mission House was the focal point for Sunday worship and weekly prayer meetings.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a further decline in the island's population. The closure of the primary school in 1967 and the post office in 1968 were final blows and by the time of the 1971 census the population had dwindled to 12. By the end of 1971, the last permanent inhabitants of Scarp had moved to Harris. However, a few houses on the island are still in occasional use as private holiday homes.
Communication
The island is reached by a short boat crossing across the Kyle of Scarp from HushinishHushinish
Huisinish is a remote place on the west coast of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It lies at the end of a 12 mile long single track B road. The settlement of only four houses overlooking a white sand beach with views to the Atlantic...
, but the sea here is very shallow and landing on Scarp can be difficult when there is a swell. Whilst it is occasionally possible to wade from Scarp to Harris at very low tide, this is a dangerous exploit and lives have been lost attempting it.
Scarp was the site of an experiment by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
inventor Gerhard Zucker
Gerhard Zucker
Gerhard Zucker was a German businessman and rocket engineer. However, none of his machinations proved to be operational, ranging from outright fraud to total failure....
to deliver the island's post by rocket mail
Rocket mail
Rocket mail is the delivery of mail by rocket or missile. The rocket would land by deploying an internal parachute upon arrival. It has been attempted by various organizations in many different countries, with varying levels of success...
. In July 1934 Zucker made two unsuccessful attempts at firing rocket mail between Scarp and Harris. Singed envelopes from the exploded rocket can still be seen at the island museum.
Media and the arts
A fictionalised account of the rocket mail experiment was used as the basis of a 2002 film, The Rocket PostThe Rocket Post
The Rocket Post is a 2006 British drama film directed by Stephen Whittaker and starring Ulrich Thomsen, Shauna Macdonald, Kevin McKidd and Patrick Malahide. It is set on a remote Scottish island during the late 1930s...
, filmed on Taransay
Taransay
Taransay is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is famous for being the host of the British television series Castaway 2000. Uninhabited since 1974, except for holidaymakers, Taransay is the largest island in Scotland that lacks a permanent population...
. A second fictionalised drama of the same name
The Rocket Post
The Rocket Post is a 2006 British drama film directed by Stephen Whittaker and starring Ulrich Thomsen, Shauna Macdonald, Kevin McKidd and Patrick Malahide. It is set on a remote Scottish island during the late 1930s...
loosely based on this story was filmed in 2006 by director Stephen Whittaker
Stephen Whittaker
Stephen Whittaker was a British actor and director. He worked largely in British film and television.In 2001 he filmed his final project The Rocket Post, a romantic drama set on a remote Scottish island...
.
The artist, Norman Adams bought a croft house on the island in 1963 with his wife Anna and two sons, and painted many of his well known works there in his distinctive style over the next ten summers.
There are many references to the grave of Donald John MacLennan who is buried at Scarp Burial Ground in the book Not Forgotten (2006) by author Neil Oliver
Neil Oliver
Neil Oliver is a Scottish broadcaster and author. He grew up in Ayr and Dumfries before attending Glasgow University to study archaeology...
. Donald died on 18 March 1917 when his ship struck a mine and was lost near Dunkirk during the First World War.
The mother of Hugh Dan MacLennan
Hugh Dan MacLennan
Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan is a Scottish broadcaster, author and sporting academic with specific interest in the sport of shinty. A fluent Gaelic speaker from Lochaber, he attended the University of Glasgow before going on to teach Gaelic in Inverness and then going to work with BBC Radio nan Gaidheal...
, Gaelic broadcaster and shinty enthusiast hailed from Scarp.