Stuley

Infobox Scottish island


GridReference=NF830234
latitude=57.19
longitude=-7.247
celtic name=
norse name=
meaning of name= Stula's Island from Norse
area=45 ha (111 acres)
area rank=200=
highest elevation= 40 m (131 feet)
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group= Uists & Barra
local authority=Na h-Eileanan Siar
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] Haswell-Smith] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] [cite web| url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1909.html| title=Overview of Stuley Island| publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| accessdate=2008-10-04]

Stuley is an island lying to the east of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. It lies off the section of coastline between Loch Eynort and Loch Boisdale. It is 45 ha and 40 m at its highest point.

Geography and geology

The rock is "intermediate and basic Lewisian rock with a distinctly greenish colour".

It is separated from South Uist by Stuley Sound. Off the east coast are three islets/skerries - Dubh-Sgeir Mhòr & Dubh-Sgeir Bheag, and Glas-Eilean Mòr. Glas-Eilean Beag is to the west.

History

From local placenames such as Creag na h-Oraide (on Stuley), and Creag an t-Sagairt (on nearby Uist), meaning the rocks of the speech/sermon and priest respectively, there is some evidence of ecclesiatical connections, possibly culdee.

The island's name is Norse in origin, meaning "Stula's Island". Stula's name can also be found in the name of a mountain on the nearby Uist "mainland", Stulaval.

There are no written records of habitation, and it is currently used for sheep grazing. Haswell-Smith however notes the remains of lazybeds, and ruins of shielings (habitations for summer grazing), and suggests that the island was yet another victim of the Highland Clearances.

References