Soay, Skye

Infobox Scottish island |


GridReference=NG443145
celtic name=Sòdhaigh
norse name=so-øy
meaning of name="Sheep Island"
area=1036 ha
area rank= 48
highest elevation= Beinn Bhreac 141 m
Population=7
population rank= 76=
main settlement= Mol-chlach
island group=Skye
local authority=Highland
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ]

Soay is an island just off the coast of Skye, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Location

Soay lies to the west of Loch Scavaig on the south-west coast of Skye, from which it is separated by Soay Sound. Unlike its neighbours Skye and Rùm, Soay is low-lying, reaching 141m (462 feet) at Beinn Bhreac. The dumb-bell shaped island is virtually cut in half by inlets that form Soay Harbour (N) and the main bay, Camas nan Gall (to the S). The main settlement, Mol-chlach is on the shore of Camas nan Gall. It is normally reached by boat from Elgol.

History

The name derives from Old Norse "so-øy" meaning "Sheep Island". Camas nan Gall (G: "Bay of Foreigners") is probably named after the Norse invaders, after whom the Hebrides ("Na h-Innse Gall") are also named.

The population peaked at 158 in 1851, following eviction of crofters from Skye in the Highland Clearances. [cite book| author=Perrott, David| title=Guide to the Western Islands of Scotland| year=1988| publisher=Kittiwake| location=Edinburgh| isbn=0702808865]

In 1946, author Gavin Maxwell bought the island and established a factory to process shark oil from basking sharks. The enterprise was unsuccessful, lasting just three years. [cite web| title=Soay Overview| publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1639.html| accessdate=2007-07-22] Maxwell wrote about it in his book "Harpoon at a Venture". [ [http://worldcat.org/oclc/45486138 ISBN 1899863281] ] This led to a serious drop in the numbers of these animals in the surrounding seas, from which they have yet to recover.

Previously mainly Scottish Gaelic-speaking, most of the population was evacuated to Mull on 20 June 1953, since when the island has been sparsely populated.

The island had the first solar-powered telephone exchange in the world.

References

*"The Soay of our Forefathers" Laurance Reed ISBN 1-84158-229-8