Fuaigh Mòr

Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=58.21
longitude=-6.89
GridReference=NB129349
celtic name= Fuaigh Mòr
norse name=
meaning of name= "Large Vuia", or "house island", from Norse
area=84 ha (208 acres)
area rank=157=
highest elevation= 67 m ( ft)
Population= 0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Outer Hebrides
local authority=Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004) "The Scottish Islands". Edinburgh. Canongate.] [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=2007-07-23]

Fuaigh Mòr or Vuia Mòr is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is off the west coast of Lewis near Great Bernera in Loch Roag. It is 84 ha and 67 m at its highest point.

History

In 1841, Vuia Mòr was the scene of a particularly nasty incident in the Highland Clearances. The Clearance here is still a subject of much bitterness in the surrounding area.

A local Lewis story goes that the Bernera Ground Officer, who was responsible for the evictions was later dismissed from his post, and ended up as a tramp in Ontario, Canada. While he was begging for food in Ontario, he came to the door of someone he had evicted from Vuia Mòr, but did not recognise them at first. The evictee is said to have given him food, and then reminded him of who she was.

The island is currently uninhabited, and now only used for grazing sheep.

Geography and geology

The rock is Lewisian gneiss.

The island itself is L-shaped, tapering towards the north. The south east has a small headland extended northwards, called Rubha na h-Athadh, which has a cairn on it. There are a couple of caves in the north as well. There are cliffs on the west coast such as Creag na h-Iolaire (eagle crag)

There are many skerries and small islands near it such as Geile Sgeir, Garbh Eilean, Eilean nam Feannag, Linngeam, Cliatasay, Grousam and yet another Floday, as well as Vuia Beag. Eunay Mòr is between the island and Great Bernera.

References