Portal:Scotland/Selected article/Week 38, 2007

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Mingulay (Scottish Gaelic: Miùghlaigh) is the second largest of the Bishop's Isles in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Located 12 miles south of Barra, it is known for its important seabird populations, including puffins, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and razorbills which nest in the sea-cliffs, which are amongst the highest in the British Isles.

There are Iron Age remains, and the culture of the island was influenced by early Christianity and the Vikings. From the 15th to the 19th century Mingulay formed a part of the lands of Clan MacNeil of Barra, but then suffered at the hands of absentee landlords.

After two thousand years or more of continuous habitation, the island was abandoned by its residents in 1912 and has remained uninhabited since. It is currently used for grazing sheep. Also associated with the island is the Mingulay Boat Song, although it was composed in 1938 after the abandonment of the island. The National Trust for Scotland has owned Mingulay since 2000