Eilean nan Ròn


Eilean nan Ròn is an island near Skerray, in the north of Sutherland, Scotland. An estimated 350 seal pups are born here annually.

History

Eilean nan Ròn was populated for many years. 73 people lived there in 1881 and 30 in 1931 but it has been uninhabited since 1938. The final evacuation list contained nine people from the Mackay family -
Christina Bella Mackay, Hector Sinclair Mackay, Jessie Ann Mackay, Willie John Mackay, Hugh Campbell Mackay, Donald Mackay, Ina Mackay, Chrissie Dolina Mackay and Christina Mackay.
The ruins of a settlement can be seen from the Skerray and in the waist of the island, between Mol na Coinnle and Mol Mòr.

Geography and geology

Eilean nan Ròn is not one of the Hebrides, which lie off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is mainly sandstone with steep cliffs on the north and east coasts and a natural arch at Leathad Ballach., which is high, and wide. The high points are Cnoc an Loisgein at, and Cnoc na Caillich at. As Rev. Wilson wrote in 1882:
There are several islets and islands off Eilean nan Ròn. These include the tidal Eilean Iosal, and beyond it Meall Thailm. To the south west is the dully named An Innis. The Rabbit Islands are in Tongue Bay to the south west.

Wildlife

As the name implies, Eilean nan Ròn is popular with grey seals, that come here in their hundreds each autumn to pup. About 350 calves are born each year. The island also has large numbers of seabirds, and sheep, which were left when the Island was evacuated.

Footnotes