Eilean nan Ròn
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Eilean nan Ròn Eilean nan Ròn shown within Highland Scotland | |
| OS grid reference | NC637656 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name | Eilean nan Ròn |
| Meaning of name | island of the seals |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Highland / Islands of Sutherland |
| Area | 138 hectares (0.53 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 129= [1] |
| Highest elevation | Cnoc an Loisgein 76 m |
| Political geography | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Highland Council |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
| References | [2][3] |
Eilean nan Ròn (Scottish Gaelic: island of the seals) is an island near Skerray, in the north of Sutherland, Scotland.[4] 350 seal pups are born here annually.
History
Eilean nan Ròn was populated for many years, with seventy three people living there in 1881 and 30 in 1931. It has been uninhabited since 1938. Final Evacuation List: Christina Bella Mackay, Hector Sinclair Mackay, Jessie Ann Mackay, Willie John Mackay, Hugh Campbell Mackay, Donald Mackay, Ina Mackay, Chrissie Dolina Mackay, Christina Mackay.
The ruins of settlement can be seen from the Skerray and in the waist of the island, between Mol na Coinnle ("Pebble Beach of the Candles") and Mol Mòr ("big pebble beach").[3]
Geography and geology
Eilean nan Ròn is not one of the Hebrides, which lie off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is mainly sandstone with steep cliffs on the north and east coasts and a natural arch at Leathad Ballach.,[3] which is 150 feet (46 m) high, and 70 feet (21 m) wide.[4] The high points are Cnoc an Loisgein at 76 metres (249 ft), and Cnoc na Caillich at 75 metres (246 ft). As Rev. Wilson wrote in 1882:
- It looks like two islands, is mostly engirt with high precipitous rocks, includes a low tract of very fertile soil.[4]
There are several islets and islands off Eilean nan Ròn. These include the tidal Eilean Iosal (low island), and beyond it Meall Thailm (or "Meall Holm"). To the south west is the dully named An Innis ("small island"). The Rabbit Islands are in Tongue Bay to the south west.
Wildlife
As the name implies, Eilean nan Ròn is popular with grey seals, that come here in their hundreds each autumn to pup.[5] About 350 calves are born each year.[3] The island is also home to large numbers of seabirds, and sheep, which were left when the Island was evacuated.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands >20ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- ↑ National Records of Scotland (15 August 2013) (pdf) Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland - Release 1C (Part Two). "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland’s inhabited islands". Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Smith (2004) pp. 201-03
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wilson, Rev. John The Gazetteer of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone
- ↑ "Talmine". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
References
- Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
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