Shillay, Monach Islands

Infobox Scottish island
latitude=57.53
longitude=-7.69
GridReference=NF593628
celtic name=Siolaigh/Seilaigh
norse name= Selrey
meaning of name=Seal Island
or "Herring island", from Norse
area= <40 ha
area rank=
highest elevation= 10 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Monach Islands
local authority=Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
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] ] [cite web| url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesP-Z.pdf| title=Placenames| author=Iain Mac an Tailleir| publisher=Pàrlamaid na h-Alba|format=PDF| accessdate=2007-12-08]

Shillay (Scottish Gaelic: Siolaigh or Seilaigh from the Norse "selrey", meaning Seal island) is the western-most of the Monach Islands (Heisgeir), off North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

Geology and geography

Like most of the other Monach Islands, Shillay has a thin, sandy soil, which has been much troubled by erosion, and which was badly eroded by a huge wave in the 16th century.

Despite Ceann Iar's name, meaning "western headland", Shillay is the westernmost island of the group.

There are several small islets around Shillay, including Eilean Siorraidh, Odarum (to the north) and Raisgeir.

Lighthouse

Shillay is most notable for being the location of a disused lighthouse. This was originally a fire, which was maintained by the monks who lived at Clach na Bleide on Ceann Ear. The red brick lighthouse was built in 1864 by David & Thomas Stevenson, and was in use until 1942.Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) "Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland". London. HarperCollins.] A newer light was installed in 1997. [cite web| url=http://www.nlb.org.uk/ourlights/history/monach.htm| title=Monach Light| publisher=Northern Lighthouse Board| accessdate=2007-12-08]

A stone from the lighthouse has been removed into the church wall at Paible; a keeper had carved into it "Eternity Oh Eternity". Interestingly, just to the south of Shillay, there is an Eilean Siorraidh ("Island of Eternity"; formerly Eilean Siorruidh) - whether this carving is a reference to this or the solitude of the island is unrecorded.

References