Rabbit Islands
The Rabbit Islands NC602631) are a group of three uninhabited small islands off the north coast of Sutherland, in Tongue Bay. In Gaelic they are known as Eileanan nan Gall.
Geography and geology
The islands consist of sandstone and have sandy soil which is ideal for rabbit burrows. The islands' modern name derives from the many rabbit burrows here in consequence.[1] They are fairly low-lying, slender in shape, and along with the surrounding 'fjord' of Tongue Bay, they show the effects of former glaciation.
The northernmost of the group is called Sgeir an Òir, and there is a natural arch at its north end called "Claigeann na Sgeir" (Bell of the Skerry)
The islands lie off shore near Coldbackie, Melness and Talmine on the mainland, and Eilean nan Ròn is to the northeast, in the parish of Tongue.[2]
History
The islands' older name "Eileanan nan Gall", means "islands of the strangers", or "Norsemen".[3]
Supposedly, a ship carrying gold to Charles Edward Stuart was wrecked on the island.[4] The northernmost of the group is called Sgeir an Òir (skerry of the gold), which is perhaps a reference to this.
Currently, the islands are popular with scuba divers, and have in the past been used for grazing.