Killegray
| Killegray Gaelic: Ceileagraigh | |
 Killegray from Ensay | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
| |
| Location: | 57°44’24"N, 7°4’48"W |
| Grid reference: | NF976836 |
| Area: | 435 acres |
| Highest point: | 148 feet |
| Data | |
| Population: | 0 |
Killegray is an island of 435 acres in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, and part of Inverness-shire.
The name of the isle is from the Old Norse Kjallard-ey, and means “graveyard island”.
Geography
Situated in the Sound of Harris, a channel of water between North Uist and the Isle of Harris, Killegray is approximately a mile and a half long.
The south end of the island is nearly all deep uncultivated moss. There is better cultivated land at the north.[1]
History
Rubha Claidhe in the north is the site of a ruined chapel, Teampull na h-Annait, which may be the origin of the island's name.[2]
Currently uninhabited, the island was occupied by a family of around three to five people from 1861 to 1931. Two people were temporarily living on the island when the 1971 census was taken.
The 19th-century Killegray House, the only house on the island was renovated as holiday accommodation in 1991.[1]
Wildlife
The shallow waters and reefs are a rich breeding ground for velvet crabs and lobsters.[2]
Possible development
Jacobs Babtie has investigated building a combination of bridges and causeways across the Sound of Harris.[3] Wind turbines and tidal generators could be incorporated in the scheme from Berneray via Killegray and Ensay to Harris. The estimated cost of £75 million would rise to £145 million with the renewable energy devices, so it was estimated at the time.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Historical perspective for Killegray". Gazetteer for Scotland. http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurehistory1986.html. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
- ↑ John Ross (19 August 2006). "Eco-power plan to boost islands link". The Scotsman. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1216742006. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
| The islands of the Sound of Harris, Inverness-shire | ||
|---|---|---|
| Harris |
Berneray • Boreray • Keallasay More • Ensay • Gilsay • Groay • Hermetray • Killegray • Opsay • Pabbay • Sgarabhaigh • Shillay • Stromay • Sursay • Tahay • |
North Uist
|