Eilean Bàn, Lochalsh
| Eilean Bàn | |
|---|---|
 Eilean Bàn from the Skye Bridge, looking towards Kyle of Lochalsh |
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| Location | |
 Eilean Bàn
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| 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 101 |
| Groupings | |
| Island group | Skye |
| Local Authority | Highland |
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| References | [1][2][3][4] |
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Area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. Population data is from 2001 census. |
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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. The island supports a column of the Skye Bridge, which crosses the mouth of Loch Alsh from the mainland to Skye.
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.
Kyleakin Lighthouse is situated at the south-western end of Eilean Bàn. It was built by David and Thomas Stevenson in 1857, and is linked to a pair of keepers' houses. The lighthouse was automated and converted to use acetylene gas in 1960. Following the start of construction of the Skye Bridge, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1993. It is a Category B listed building.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ^ Ordnance Survey
- ^ Iain Mac an Tailleir. "Placenames". Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
- ^ "The Eilean Bàn Trust". Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ "Overview of Ban, Eilean". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ Lister-Kaye, John (1972). The White Island. Longman. ISBN 0-582-10903-5.
- ^ "Eilean Ban, Kyleakin Lighthouse". Listed Building Report. Historic Scotland. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
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Coordinates: 57°16′46″N 5°44′21″W / 57.27944°N 5.73917°W
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