Shillay, Monach Islands
Encyclopedia
Shillay is the western-most of the Monach Islands
(Heisgeir), off North Uist
in the Outer Hebrides
.
Like most of the other Monach Islands, Shillay has a thin, sandy soil, which has been much troubled by erosion, and which was badly eroded by a huge wave in the 16th century.
Despite Ceann Iar
's name, meaning "western headland", Shillay is the westernmost island of the group.
There are several small islets around Shillay, including Eilean Siorraidh, Odarum (to the north) and Raisgeir.
Shillay is most notable for being the location of a disused lighthouse. This was originally a fire, which was maintained by the monks who lived at Clach na Bleide on Ceann Ear
. The red brick lighthouse was built in 1864 by David & Thomas Stevenson
, and was in use until 1942. A newer light was installed in 1997.
A stone from the lighthouse has been removed into the church wall at Paible; a keeper had carved into it "Eternity Oh Eternity". Interestingly, just to the south of Shillay, there is an Eilean Siorraidh ("Island of Eternity"; formerly Eilean Siorruidh) - whether this carving is a reference to this or the solitude of the island is unrecorded.
According to a BBC documentary the old lighthouse has been refitted with modern equipment after the new light was found to be too low.
Monach Islands
Not to be confused with Heysker/Hyskeir or HaskeirThe Monach Islands, also known as Heisker , are an island group west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland...
(Heisgeir), off North Uist
North Uist
North Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula...
in the Outer Hebrides
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...
.
Geology and geography
Despite Ceann Iar
Ceann Iar
Disambiguation: "Ceann Iar" is a common Scottish placename meaning Western HeadlandCeann Iar is one of the Monach Isles/Heisgeir, to the west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. It is a slender island, approximately a mile, or two kilometres long.-Geography:Ceann Iar is the second largest of the...
's name, meaning "western headland", Shillay is the westernmost island of the group.
There are several small islets around Shillay, including Eilean Siorraidh, Odarum (to the north) and Raisgeir.
Lighthouse
Ceann Ear
Disambiguation: "Ceann Ear" is a common Scottish placename meaning Eastern HeadlandCeann Ear is the largest island in the Monach or Heisgeir group off North Uist in north west Scotland. It is in size and connected by sandbanks to Ceann Iar via Sibhinis at low tide. It is said that it was at one...
. The red brick lighthouse was built in 1864 by David & Thomas Stevenson
Thomas Stevenson
Thomas Stevenson PRSE MInstCE FRSSA FSAScot was a pioneering Scottish lighthouse designer and meteorologist, who designed over thirty lighthouses in and around Scotland, as well as the Stevenson screen used in meteorology...
, and was in use until 1942. A newer light was installed in 1997.
A stone from the lighthouse has been removed into the church wall at Paible; a keeper had carved into it "Eternity Oh Eternity". Interestingly, just to the south of Shillay, there is an Eilean Siorraidh ("Island of Eternity"; formerly Eilean Siorruidh) - whether this carving is a reference to this or the solitude of the island is unrecorded.
According to a BBC documentary the old lighthouse has been refitted with modern equipment after the new light was found to be too low.