Sgarabhaigh

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Sgarabhaigh

Sound of Harris
(Inverness-shire)

Scaravay - geograph-4575760.jpg
Scaravay
Location

Sgarabhaigh, Sound of Harris, OH.svg

Location: 57°41’30"N, 7°1’3"W
Grid reference: NG011779
Area: 40 acres
Data
Population: 0

Sgarabhaigh (formerly rendered in English as Scaravay) is a small uninhabited island of just 40 acres at the eastern end of the Sound of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides. It is part of Inverness-shire.

The island is uninhabited by man but home to many seabirds, otters and grey seals.

Sgarabhaigh and its sister islands of Grodhaigh and Bhatam, Lingeigh and Gilsaigh are colloquially known as the "Pabach Islands" as they used to provide peat for the islanders on Pabbay when their own supplies ran out in the 19th century.

The island is now the focus for a sustainability project designed to protect the island's environment, help local economic and social regeneration in the wider islands, and provide people with a perpetual link to Scotland. Whilst open to all, the project particularly wants to connect with descendants of the islanders who were displaced by the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries.

In July 2009, a former merchant banker, Geoff Spice, decided to be cast away on Sgarabhaigh for a month in order to give up his smoking habit, and attracted some media attention to the island.[1][2][3]

Outside links

References

  1. ''Castaway' hopes to quit smoking': BBC Highlands and Islands, 1 August 2009
  2. 'Geoff goes castaway to quit smoking for good' – The Express, 30 May 2009
  3. 'Former top banker goes to deserted island to quit smoking': The Telegraph, 31 July 2009
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