Grimsay
| Grimsay Gaelic: Griomasaigh | |
 Bagh Mòr on Grimsay, with Ronay behind | |
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| Location | |
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| Location: | 57°29’24"N, 7°14’24"W |
| Grid reference: | NF855572 |
| Area: | 2,058 acres |
| Highest point: | 72 feet |
| Data | |
| Population: | 201 |
Grimsay is a tidal island of Inverness-shire in the Outer Hebrides. It lies between Benbecula and North Uist, to both of which it is linked naturally at low tide and permanently today by a causeway bearing the road between the islands.
Grimsay is the largest of the low-lying stepping-stones which convey the Oitir Mhòr (North Ford) causeway, a five mile arc of single track road linking North Uist and Benbecula by way of the western tip of Grimsay. The road goes on by way of a further causeway from Benbecula to South Uist Until it opened in 1960, a ferry linked Carinish (on North Uist) with Gramsdale (on Benbecula), but could only operate at high tide. The ford which could only be crossed close to low water, and usually only with a guide. For significant parts of each day the North Ford was too wet to ford and not wet enough to cross by ferry.[1] East of Grimsay lie several smaller islands including Ronay which was inhabited until the 1920s.
The main settlements are Baymore (Bàgh Mòr) and Kallin (Ceallan) at the eastern end of the island. Grimsay has a harbour at Kallin, which is the base to a sizeable shellfish industry, the island's main industry, mostly for lobster, prawns and scallops. Also in Kallin is The Boatshed, a marine repair facility which promotes traditional skills[2] and includes a museum. Boat building was previously important. Grimsay is encircled by a single-track road that links most of the island's small croft and fishing settlements together.
There is a fine example of an Iron-Age wheelhouse on the northeast coast of the island at Bagh nam Feadag (The Grimsay Wheelhouse).[3]
The name of the island is Norse, and means "Grim's island".
References
- ↑ "Feature Page: Grimsay". Undiscovered Scotland. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/grimsay/grimsay/. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
- ↑ "Grimsay Boat Project". LEADER+. http://www.wisl.org.uk/GrimsayBoatProject. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
- ↑ "Grimsay Wheelhouse". Alasdair McKenzie. http://www.grimsaywheelhouse.weebly.com. Retrieved 30 November 2009.