Eilean Tigh

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Eilean Tigh
Scottish Gaelic nameEilean Taighe
Meaning of nameHouse Island
Location
Isle of Skye UK relief location map.jpg
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Eilean Tigh
Eilean Tigh shown within Scotland
OS grid reference NG603538
Coordinates 57°30′40″N6°00′11″W / 57.511°N 6.003°W / 57.511; -6.003
Physical geography
Island group Skye
Area54 ha [1]
Area rank195 [2]
Highest elevationMeall Mòr, 111 m [3]
Administration
Council area Highland
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
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Eilean Tigh (Scottish Gaelic : Eilean Taighe) is a tidal island in the Sound of Raasay of Scotland, that lies between Rona and Raasay.

Approximately 54 hectares (130 acres) in extent, the island was once settled and the ruins of various structures are still visible at the south end. [3] "Eilean Tigh" is a Gaelic name that means "house island" or "home island".

Eilean Tigh from Raasay Eilean Tigh - geograph.org.uk - 934875.jpg
Eilean Tigh from Raasay

It is a rugged island and the coastline is largely cliff-lined and rocky. Eilean Tigh is connected to the northern tip of neighbouring Raasay at low tides by a rocky ledge that crosses Caol Eilean Tigh. [4] Rona lies about one kilometre (12 nautical mile) away across the straits of Caol Rona at the centre of which is tiny Eilean an Fhraoich (English: heather island). On the Rona side are Garbh Eilean (rough island) and Eilean Seamraig. Eilean Fladday is two kilometres (1 nmi) south and Skye is some six kilometres (3 nmi) west across the Sound.

There are good anchorages nearby off Eilean Fladday and Rona, but the nearest road stops at Arnish on Raasay, from where it is about a two-hour walk to Eilean Tigh. [4] The northwestern tip of the island is Rubha na Cloich' Uaine – the point of the green stone.

Notes

  1. Rick Livingstone’s Tables of the Islands of Scotland (pdf) Argyll Yacht Charters. Retrieved 12 Dec 2011.
  2. Area and population ranks: there are c.300 islands over 20ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  3. 1 2 "Get-a-Map". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  4. 1 2 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. p. 166. ISBN   978-1-84195-454-7.

57°30′40″N6°0′10″W / 57.51111°N 6.00278°W / 57.51111; -6.00278