Shuna, Slate Islands

Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=56.21
longitude=-5.61
GridReference=NM760080
celtic name=Siuna
norse name=
meaning of name=
area=451 ha
area rank= 74
highest elevation=Druim na Dubh Ghlaic 90 m
Population=1
population rank= 94=
main settlement=
island group=Slate Islands
local authority=Argyll and Bute
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] cite book| author=Haswell-Smith, Hamish| date=2004| title=The Scottish Islands| location=Edinburgh| publisher=Canongate| isbn=1-84195-454-3] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] [cite web| url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesP-Z.pdf| title=Placenames| author=Iain Mac an Tailleir| publisher=Pàrlamaid na h-Alba| accessdate=2007-07-28]

Shuna (Gaelic Siuna) is one of the Slate Islands lying east of Luing on the west coast of Scotland.

History

Shuna Castle was built as recently as 1911 for a rumoured cost of £300,000. It fell into disrepair in the 1980s when the cost of maintenance become too great.cite web| url=http://www.islandofshuna.co.uk/wildlife.htm| title=Shuna Wildlife & History | accessdate=2007-07-28]

Unlike the other Slate Islands, Shuna has little slate, and has historically been farmed, although it is now quite overgrown with woodland. There are several cairns in the south and west of the small island.

During the nineteenth century the population numbered as many as 69, but in the 2001 census, Shuna was one of four Scottish islands with a population of one. The island has been privately owned by the Gully family since 1946. It is now occupied by a farmer and his family, who also let four houses as holiday cottages.

Wildlife

The island has healthy populations of Red, Roe and Fallow deer; along with Otters, Common and Grey Seals, Porpoises and Dolphins out on the water.

References

External links

* [http://www.islandofshuna.co.uk/ Island Website]