| Eilean Bàn | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
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Eilean Bàn
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| Eilean Bàn shown within Scotland | |
| OS grid reference | NG746271 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name | Eilean Bàn |
| Pronunciation | [ˈelan ˈpaːn] ( listen) |
| Meaning of name | White Island |
| Area and summit | |
| Area | 2.4 ha (5.9 acres) |
| Highest elevation | m |
| Population | |
| Population | 2 |
| Population rank | 88= out of 99 |
| Groupings | |
| Island group | Skye |
| Local Authority | Highland |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
| If shown, area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. Population data is from 2001 census. | |
Eilean Bàn (Scottish Gaelic meaning White Island) is a six acre island[5] off the coast of mainland Scotland, between Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye, in Highland.
Eilean Bàn is owned by the Scottish Ministers, but since 1998 has been managed by the Eilean Ban Trust as a wildlife sanctuary. The trust was set up by the local community councils in collaboration with actress Virginia McKenna's Born Free Foundation to preserve local wildlife.[6] A thriving otter population was the inspiration for author Gavin Maxwell (1914–69) who lived there. Eilean Bàn was also home to John Lister-Kaye, who wrote his book The White Island[7] about his time there, working for Maxwell.
The lighthouse was built by David and Thomas Stevenson, and the island supports a column of the Skye Bridge, which crosses the mouth of Loch Alsh from the mainland to Skye.
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