Ensay, Outer Hebrides
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| Ensay, Outer Hebrides | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
  Ensay, Outer Hebrides
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| Ensay, Outer Hebrides shown within Scotland. | |
| OS grid reference: | NF977862 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name: | Easaigh |
| Meaning of name: | Old Norse: Ewe Island |
| Area and Summit | |
| Area: | 186 ha |
| Area rank (Scottish islands): | 114 |
| Highest elevation: | 49 m |
| Population | |
| Population (2001): | 0
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| Groupings | |
| Island Group: | Outer Hebrides |
| Local Authority: | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
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| References: | [1][2][3] |
Ensay (Gaelic Easiagh) is a currently unpopulated island in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
[edit] Geography
The island lies in the Sound of Harris between the islands of Harris and Berneray.
[edit] History
The name originates from the Old Norse for Ewe Island[4] It is nothing to do with the Gaelic for Jesus - "Iosa" - as sometimes stated.
The island shows signs of Stone Age habitation, with a prominent standing stone.
Ensay House (Taigh Easaigh) was built in the Edwardian period.[5] It is rented out as holiday accommodation.
Although the island has had no permanent population since the 1930s, the small chapel of Christ Church is maintained and services are held annually.[6] It is still used for summer grazing.
The town of Ensay in Victoria, Australia was named after this island by one of the early settlers, a Scotsman named Archibald Macleod.
[edit] References
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
- ^ Ordnance Survey
- ^ a b Iain Mac an Tailleir. Placenames (PDF). Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
- ^ Ensay. Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
- ^ Harris - Christ Church. Diocese of Argyll & The Isles. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
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