Scalpay, Outer Hebrides
| Scalpay | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 Scalpay
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| Scalpay shown within Outer Hebrides | |
| OS grid reference | NG214965 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name | Sgalpaigh Na Hearadh/Sgalpaidh |
| Meaning of name | Ship Island |
| Area and summit | |
| Area | 653 ha (2.5 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 66 |
| Highest elevation | Beinn Scorabhaig 104 m (341 ft) |
| Population | |
| Population | 322 |
| Population rank | 26 out of 99 |
| Main settlement | An Acarsaid a Tuath (North Harbour) |
| Groupings | |
| Island group | Lewis and Harris |
| Local Authority | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |
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| 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. | |
Scalpay (Scottish Gaelic: Sgalpaigh, also "Sgalpaigh na Hearadh" (of Harris) to distinguish it from the other Scalpay) is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Scalpay is around 2.5 miles (4 km) long and rises to a height of 341 ft (104 m) at Beinn Scorabhaig. Scalpay's nearest neighbour, Harris is just 330 yds (300 m) away over narrow Caolas Scalpaigh. The two islands were linked in 1997 by a bridge that replaced the ferry service. The main settlement on the island is at the north, near the bridge, clustered around An Acairseid a Tuath (North Harbour).
The island is peppered with small lochans. The largest of these is Loch an Duin (Loch of the Fort) which has a tiny island in it, with the remains of a fort still visible.
The area of Scalpay is 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2). In 1997 the Scalpay bridge was built from mainland Harris.[5] Eilean Glas, a tiny peninsula on Scalpay's eastern shore is home to the first lighthouse to be built in the Outer Hebrides.
[edit] Religion
Scalpay is very much Protestant and is home to two churches: - Free Church of Scotland and Free Church of Scotland (continuing). The continuing church is currently ministered by Rev. MacDonald as of December 2008.
[edit] Demographics
In 2001, the island had a population of 322 people, whose main employment is fish farming and prawn fishing.
Scalpay is also home to many great Gaelic singers and psalm presenters and is well known for its use in Gaidhlig. Scalpay used to have over 10 shops over 30 years ago but due to lack of people and work, the last remaining shop closed in 2007. There also used to be a salmon factory which was a major local employer from 2001 until closure in 2005. In the spring of 2009, local newspapers reported that the factory is to reopen as a net washing facility to support the local fish farming industry.
In 2011 the islands owner, Fred Taylor, announced that he proposes handing over the land to the local population. Two ideas have been suggested: one where the island is owned by a local development trust, and another where it forms part of the larger North Harris Trust, itself community owned.[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
- ^ Ordnance Survey. 1:50,000 (Map). http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/.
- ^ "Pàrlamaid na h-Alba placenames" (PDF). http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesP-Z.pdf. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
- ^ "Scalpay Bridge". http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/eriskay/scalpay.htm#. Retrieved 23 Jan 2012.
- ^ "Islanders offered home as a ‘free gift’ from London owner" Senscot, quoting the Press and Journal of 18 Feb 2011. Retrieved 11 Mar 2011.
Coordinates: 57°52′13″N 6°41′33″W / 57.8703°N 6.6924°W
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