Hellisay

Infobox Scottish island |


latitude=56.9833
longitude=-7.4667
GridReference=NF756040
celtic name=Theiliseigh
norse name=
meaning of name=Old Norse: island of the caves
area=142 ha
area rank=128=
highest elevation=Meall Meadhonach 79 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Uists and Barra
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] ]

Hellisay (Gaelic: "Theiliseigh") is an island in the southern Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

Geography and geology

Hellisay lies between Barra and Eriskay. One of a string of islands between South Uist and Barra, Hellisay is "locked" into its neighbour Gighay, with a harbour between.

It is mainly gneiss with quartz veins.

There are several peaks on the island - such as on the peninsula of Charish, and also Beinn a' Chàrnain (mountain of the small cairn; 73m), Meall Meadhonach (Middle rounded hill; 79m), and Meall Mòr (next to Meall Meadhonach, 75m) and Meall an Healladh.

Wildlife

Along with the usual seabirds, raptors including falcons and golden eagles.The island is covered in sea thrift.

History

The island's name is Old Norse in origin. It possibly means "island of the caves", which appears to be confirmed by the name Rubha na h-Uamh (headland of the cave) in the east of the island. However, Blaeu's map has "Hildesay", which suggests that the name may derive from the Norse from "Hilda's Island".

The island's settlement was at Buaile Mhòr ("Bualavore", meaning the Big Fold) near Eilean a' Ghamhna in the north west of the island. The remains of a sheep pen and a well can still be seen.

Like so many other islands in the region, Hellisay was strongly affected by the Highland Clearances. Firstly, refugees from clearances in neighbouring islands swelled the population, and latterly the island's inhabitants themselves were evicted, and many went to live on Eriskay. The population peaked at 108 in 1841, and the island was cleared in the 1840s - however it continued to have some inhabitants up until 1890.

Alasdair Ailpin MacGregor's stories reveal a rich folklore and mythology extant on the island, possibly only a fraction of which has been preserved.

References