Ronay

Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland

"Rònaigh" redirects here. For the remote uninhabited island north-west of Cape Wrath, see North Rona. For the small inhabited island East of the Isle of Skye, see South Rona.

RonayScottish Gaelic name| Rònaigh

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Old Norse name| Hrauney
Meaning of name| "Rough island" from Norse
Location

Ronay

Ronay shown within the Outer Hebrides

OS grid reference| NF895555
Coordinates| 57°29′N 7°11′W﻿ / ﻿57.48°N 7.18°W﻿ / 57.48; -7.18
Physical geography
Island group| Uist and Barra
Area| 563 ha
Area rank| 69 [1]
Highest elevation| Beinn á Charnain 115 m
Administration
Council area| Na h-Eileanan Siar
Country| Scotland
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Demographics
Population| uninhabited since 1920s
References| [2][3][4][5]
Bagh Mòr on Grimsay, with Ronay in distance

Ronay (Scottish Gaelic: Rònaigh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, which lies a short distance off the east coast of Grimsay.

## Geography

[edit]

Ronay has a highly indented coastline with Bàgh nan Uamh being the biggest up in the north west. The island is surrounded by many smaller ones including Eilean na Cloiche in the south east, Eilean an Fhèidh in the east, Flodaigh Mòr in the north east, Haunaray to the north, and Garbh Eilean Mòr between it and Grimsay.[3]

The north forms a peninsula called Rònaigh Beag, or little Ronay. The central section contains some seven or more lochs, which provide a freshwater supply.

The entire island is rough, covered in outcrops and knolls, which may have been partly eroded by overgrazing. There are three main peaks, the Beinn Rodagraich range 99 metres (325 ft) in the south, the Beinn a' Chàrnain range in the east 115 metres (377 ft) which incorporates Cnoc Mòr and Beinn an t-Sagairt, and the third in Ronaigh Beag, which rises to 74 metres (243 ft).[3]

## History

[edit]

Like many Scottish islands, Ronay appears to have ancient Celtic church connections. In the north west, there is a headland (Rubha) and mountain (Beinn) of the priest (an t-sagairt), and a Rubha na Manach (monk's headland) in the south west. Martin Martin also mentions a chapel:

"in the Island Rona, called the Low-landers Chappel, because Seamen who dye in times of Fishing, are buried in that place."[3]

This chapel was pre-Reformation. It is also possible that the island's name refers to St Ronan, as that of North Rona does. In the centre, there are several names related to "Druidhneach" (possibly druids), such as Loch nan Druidhneach. Such names often refer to Neolithic remains.[3]

Other historical references occur in the island's names, such as Bàgh Clann Neill in the west, Rubha Creag Mhic Fhionnlaigh and Bàgh na h-Eireannach in the north.

In 1826, there were 180 living on the island, but in 1831, the whole population was cleared to make way for sheep farming. See Highland Clearances. However, by 1841, 9 people were recorded, who may have moved back. The island was abandoned for good in 1931.[3]

In the early 19th century, Ronay was re-settled as part of the kelping boom, with up to 200 people living on the island, working in a strong seaweed harvesting community. The kelp industry, vital in the 18th and 19th centuries for the production of soap, glass, and fertiliser, led to the establishment of 26 crofts with 27 families recorded by 1814, and the community continued to grow, reaching 180 people by 1823, when a school was set up for the children. The remains of this school are still visible on one of the peninsulas, a testament to the organised community life built around kelp harvesting. Processed kelp was exchanged for money to pay rents and purchase essential supplies, with seaweed harvested along Ronay's shores and processed in kelp kilns situated near the settlements.[6]

However, with the introduction of newer technologies, the need for kelp declined, leading to a collapse in the kelp industry, which contributed to the island's gradual depopulation. By 1833/4, the tenants were paying rent directly to the North Uist Estate, and by 1841, nearly all families had left, marking the end of Ronay’s kelping era.[6]

## Current Management

[edit]

As of July 2025, the island is co-owned by Andrew Marshall, founder of the Carlowrie Group, and a business partner. The owners have initiated an environmental project focused on increasing the island's biodiversity. The group has introduced a rewilding and biodiversity plan, including a comprehensive deer management programme, habitat restoration, and long-term biodiversity monitoring, with the aim of supporting a more natural ecological balance and enhancing carbon capture on the land.[7][8][9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent. 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census and 101 such islands in 2022.
2. ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
3. ^ a b c d e f Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
4. ^ Get-a-map (Map). Ordnance Survey.
5. ^ Iain Mac an Tailleir. "Placenames" (PDF). Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
6. ^ a b Newman, David (2018). Ronay Field Survey 2015–18. Self-published. pp. 9–28.
7. ^ "Owners of uninhabited Scottish island launch 'robust' rewilding effort". The National. 30 April 2025.
8. ^ "Owners of remote Scottish island announce 'bold' rewilding plans". The Herald. 30 April 2025.
9. ^ "Entire 1,500-acre Scottish island to see 'robust' deer management in rewilding plan". The Scotsman. 30 April 2025.

57°29′2″N 7°10′52″W﻿ / ﻿57.48389°N 7.18111°W﻿ / 57.48389; -7.18111

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Uninhabited islands of the Hebrides

Inner Hebrides|

* Calbha Beag
* Calbha Mor
* Calve Island
* Cara
* Càrna
* Eileach an Naoimh
* Eilean an Ròin Mòr
* Eilean Dubh Mòr
* Eilean Fladday
* Eilean Horrisdale
* Eilean Ighe
* Eilean Macaskin
* Eilean Meadhonach
* Eilean Mhic Chrion
* Eilean Mòr
* Eilean Rìgh
* Eilean Tigh
* Eilean Trodday
* Eorsa
* Garbh Eileach
* Gruinard
* Gunna
* Handa
* Harlosh Island
* Horse Island
* Inch Kenneth
* Insh
* Isay
* Isle Martin
* Isle Ristol
* Little Colonsay
* Longa Island
* Longay
* Lunga
* Oldany Island
* Ornsay
* Oronsay
* Pabay
* Priest Island
* Scarba
* Shuna
* Staffa
* Tanera Beag
* Texa
* Torsa
* Wiay

Outer Hebrides|

* Barra Head
* Boreray
* Calbhaigh
* Ceabhaigh
* Ceallasaigh Beag
* Ceallasaigh Mòr
* Ceann Ear
* Ceann Iar
* Eilean Chaluim Chille
* Eilean Chearstaidh
* Eileanan Iasgaich
* Eilean Liubhaird
* Eilean Mhealasta
* Eilean Mhuire
* Ensay
* Fiaraidh
* Flodaigh
* Flodaigh Mòr
* Flodday
* Flodday
* Fodragaigh
* Fuaigh Beag
* Fuaigh Mòr
* Fuday
* Fuiay
* Garbh Eilean
* Gasker
* Gighay
* Groaigh
* Haskeir
* Haskeir Eagach
* Hellisay
* Hermetray
* Kirkibost
* Lingeigh
* Little Bernera
* Mingulay
* Muldoanich
* Orosay
* Oronsay
* Pabbay
* Pabaigh Mòr
* Ronay
* Sandray
* Scarp
* Seaforth Island
* Sgeotasaigh
* Sibhinis
* Shillay
* Soay Mòr
* Stromay
* Stockinish Island
* Stuley
* Sursaigh
* Tahay
* Taransay
* Trialabreac
* Torogaigh
* Vacsay
* Vallay
* Wiay

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Islands of Scotland

Geography

| Northern Isles|

* Shetland
* list
* Orkney
* list

|

Hebrides|

* Outer Hebrides
* list
* Inner Hebrides
* list
* St Kilda

Other|

* Islands of the Clyde
* Islands of the Forth
* Freshwater Islands
* Outlying Islands
* Sea Stacks

Prehistory

| Prehistoric Orkney|

* Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site:
* Maeshowe
* Ness of Brodgar
* Ring of Brodgar
* Skara Brae
* Standing Stones of Stenness

|

Prehistoric Shetland|

* Zenith of Iron Age Shetland:
* Broch of Mousa
* Jarlshof
* Old Scatness

Prehistoric Western Isles|

* Callanish Stones
* Dun Carloway
* Rubha an Dùnain
* Dun Nosebridge

History

| Dál Riata|

* Columba
* Hinba

|

Kingdom of the Isles|

* Scandinavian Scotland
* Rulers of the Kingdom of the Isles
* Bishop of the Isles

Lordship of the Isles|

* Treaty of Perth
* Treaty of Ardtornish-Westminster
* Finlaggan

Earldom of Orkney|

* Buckquoy spindle-whorl
* Udal law

18th and 19th Century|

* Clearances
* Jacobite risings
* Flora MacDonald

Literature|

* Orkneyinga Saga
* Description of the Western Isles of Scotland (Monro)
* A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland (Martin)
* A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland (Johnson)
* The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (Boswell)

Etymology

| General|

* Scottish island names
* Northern Isles
* Hebrides
* Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba

|

Specific|

* Arran
* Gigha
* Islay
* Skye
* St Kilda

Economy

| Towns|

* Kirkwall
* Lerwick
* Rothesay
* Stornoway
* Stromness

|

Agencies|

* Community Energy Scotland
* Crofters Commission
* Highlands and Islands Enterprise
* Scottish Islands Federation

Oil industry|

* Flotta
* Sullom Voe

Culture

| Shetland|

* Aly Bain
* Thomas Fraser
* Peerie Willie Johnson
* Shetland Amenity Trust
* Up Helly Aa
* Vagaland

|

Orkney|

* George Mackay Brown
* Peter Maxwell Davies
* F. Marian McNeill
* Kirkwall Ba game
* Orkney Heritage Society
* St Magnus Festival

Outer Hebrides|

* Compton Mackenzie
* Fèis Bharraigh
* Free Church of Scotland
* Iain Crichton Smith

Inner Hebrides|

* Islay whisky
* Runrig
* Sorley MacLean
* West Highland Free Press

Politics

| Local authorities|

* Shetland Islands Council
* Orkney Islands Council
* Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
* Highland Council
* Argyll and Bute
* North Ayrshire

|

Wildlife

| Fauna|

* Fair Isle wren
* Orkney vole
* Shetland wren
* St Kilda field mouse
* St Kilda wren

|

Flora|

* Arran whitebeams
* Scottish Primrose
* Shetland Mouse-ear

Domesticated animals|

* Cairn Terrier
* Eriskay Pony
* Hebridean Blackface
* Luing cattle
* North Ronaldsay sheep
* Scottie
* Sheltie
* Shetland cattle
* Shetland Goose
* Shetland pony
* Shetland sheep
* Soay sheep
* Westie

Geology

| Shetland|

* Geopark Shetland

|

Geology of Orkney|

* Eday Group
* Orcadian Basin
* Yesnaby Sandstone Group

Hebrides|

* Colonsay Group
* Great Estuarine Group
* Hebridean terrane
* Lewisian complex
* Lorne plateau lavas
* Moine supergroup
* Moine Thrust Belt
* Mull
* Rhinns complex
* Skye
* Staffa
* Torridonian

Islands of the Clyde|

* Highland Boundary Fault

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