Ensay, Outer Hebrides

Infobox Scottish island |


latitude=57.76
longitude=-7.08
GridReference=NF977862
celtic name=Easaigh
norse name=
meaning of name= Old Norse: Ewe Island
area=186 ha (0.7 sq. miles)
area rank= 114
highest elevation= 49 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Outer Hebrides
local authority=Na h-Eileanan Siar
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] [Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) "The Scottish Islands". Edinburgh. Canongate.] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] cite web| url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesC-E.pdf| title=Placenames| author=Iain Mac an Tailleir| publisher=Pàrlamaid na h-Alba|format=PDF| accessdate=2007-12-08]

Ensay (Gaelic "Easaigh") is a currently unpopulated island in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

Geography

The island lies in the Sound of Harris between the islands of Harris and Berneray.

History

The name originates from the Old Norse for Ewe Island It is nothing to do with the Gaelic for Jesus - "Iosa" - as sometimes stated.

The island shows signs of Stone Age habitation, with a prominent standing stone.

Ensay House (Taigh Easaigh) was built in the Edwardian period.cite web| url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1993.html| title=Ensay| publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| accessdate=2007-12-08]

Although the island has had no permanent population since the 1930s, the small chapel of Christ Church is maintained and services are held annually. [cite web| url=http://www.argyll.anglican.org/parish13.htm| title=Harris - Christ Church| publisher=Diocese of Argyll & The Isles |accessdate=2007-12-08] It is still used for summer grazing.

The town of Ensay in Victoria, Australia was named after this island by one of the early settlers, a Scotsman named Archibald Macleod.

References