Scalpay, Inner Hebrides

Island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland

For the smaller island off Harris, see Scalpay, Outer Hebrides.

ScalpayScottish Gaelic name| Sgalpaigh (an t-Sratha)

|

Pronunciation| [ˈs̪kal̪ˠpaj] ⓘ
Old Norse name| Skalprøy[1]
Meaning of name| ship island[2]
Location

Scalpay

Scalpay shown relative to Skye

OS grid reference| NG605315
Coordinates| 57°19′N 5°59′W﻿ / ﻿57.31°N 5.98°W﻿ / 57.31; -5.98
Physical geography
Island group| Skye
Area| 2,483 ha (9+5⁄8 sq mi)[1]
Area rank| 32 [3]
Highest elevation| Mullach na Càrn, 396 m (1,299 ft)
Administration
Council area| Highland
Country| Scotland
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Demographics
Population| 4[4]
Population rank| 77= [3]
Population density| 0.16/km2 (0.41/sq mi)[1][4]
References| [5]

Scalpay (/ˈskælpeɪ/;[6] Scottish Gaelic: Sgalpaigh) is an inhabited island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland which has a population of 4.

## Geology

[edit]

The bedrock of Scalpay is largely the Neoproterozoic age sandstone and conglomerates of the Sithean Glac an Ime Member of the Applecross Formation and in the west, the Mullach nan Carn members of the Diabaig Formation, a unit of the Torridon Group, or informally the Torridonian sandstone. Outcrops of hornfelsed basalt of the Palaeocene age Skye Lava Group and the Palaeogene age Scalpay granite are found in the south and west of Scalpay. The Scalpay Sandstone and Pabay Shale formations found in the southeast of the island around Scalpay House are assigned to the Lias Group. The Staffin Shale and Staffin Bay formations are of late Jurassic age and found east of Rubha Aosail Sligneach at Caolas Scalpay. Quaternary deposits are represented by peat in the north, present day marine deposits and raised marine deposits along the southwestern shore and a restricted area of glacial till in the interior. [7][8]

## Geography

[edit]

Separated from the east coast of Skye by Loch na Cairidh, Scalpay rises to 396 metres (1,299 ft) at Mullach na Càrn. It has an area of just under 25 square kilometres (9+1⁄2 sq mi). The island had a population of ten usual residents in 2001[9] and of four in 2011.[4]

Scalpay is privately owned and operates a red deer farm, shooting estate and holiday cottages. Much of Scalpay is covered with heather, while other areas are conifer forestry plantations.

## Etymology

[edit]

Mac an Tàilleir (2003) suggests the name derives from "ship island" from the Norse.[2] However, Haswell-Smith states that the Old Norse name was Skalprøy, meaning "scallop island".[1]

## Prehistory and archaeology

[edit]

Between 1999 and 2004 a large scale archaeological project, Scotland's First Settlers, was undertaken in the Inner Sound to locate and examine sites relating to the Mesolithic period in the strait. The entire coastline of the Inner Sound together with its islands was walked by volunteers and archaeologists. On Scalpay they found 9 lithic scatters. All of these sites were prehistoric but only three of the sites contained microliths, which confirms them as Mesolithic.[10]

## History

[edit]

Looking south to Skye from Scalpay.

Dean Monro gave the following description of Scalpay in 1549:

> ...a fair hunting forest, full of deer, with certain little woods and small towns, well inhabited and manured, with many strong coves, good for fishing, in heritage it pertains to Maclean of Duart.[11]

By the time of Dr Johnson's tour, the island was held by a tenant of Sir Alexander Macdonald.[12]

Shipping magnate and politician Donald Currie owned the island in the late 19th century and was responsible for the construction of the first roads and much tree planting.

## See also

[edit]

* Scottish islands portal

* List of islands of Scotland

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 153
2. ^ a b Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 103
3. ^ a b 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.
4. ^ a b c National Records of Scotland (15 August 2013). "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands" (PDF). Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two) (PDF) (Report). SG/2013/126. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
5. ^ Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 24 Raasay & Applecross (Loch Torridon & Plockton) (Map). Ordnance Survey. 2012. ISBN 9780319231104.
6. ^ Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
7. ^ "Onshore Geoindex". British Geological Survey. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
8. ^ "Scotland sheet 71W, Broadford, Solid and Drift Geology". BGS large map images. British Geological Survey. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
9. ^ General Register Office for Scotland (28 November 2003) Scotland's Census 2001 - Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
10. ^ "Vol 31 (2009): Mesolithic and later sites around the Inner Sound, Scotland the work of the Scotland's First Settlers project 1998-2004 | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
11. ^ Monro (1549) pp. 26–27
12. ^ Johnson (1795) p. 246

## References

[edit]

* Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
* Johnson, Samuel A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. London. Strachan and Cadell, 1785 (new edition).
* Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) Ainmean-àite/Placenames. (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 26 August 2012.

* Monro, Sir Donald (1549) Description of the Western Isles of Scotland. William Auld. Edinburgh - 1774 edition.

## External links

[edit]

* Local website

57°18′42″N 5°58′36″W﻿ / ﻿57.31167°N 5.97667°W﻿ / 57.31167; -5.97667

* v
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Isle of Skye

Main settlements|

* Portree
* Broadford
* Dunvegan
* Kyleakin
* Uig (Snizort)

Crofting townships
and settlements|

* Achachork
* Aird of Sleat
* Ardvasar
* Armadale
* Ashaig
* Bernisdale
* Bornesketaig
* Boreraig
* Borreraig
* Borrodale
* Borve
* Bracadale
* Breakish
* Brogaig
* Bualintur
* Camastianavaig
* Camuscross
* Carbost, Loch Harport
* Carbost, Trotternish
* Claigan
* Colbost
* Drumfearn
* Drynoch
* Dunan
* Duntulm
* Eabost
* Edinbane
* Elgol
* Ellishadder
* Eynort
* Eyre
* Fasach
* Feorlig
* Feriniquarrie
* Ferindonald
* Fiskavaig
* Flashader
* Flodigarry
* Galtrigill
* Garafad
* Geary
* Gedintailor
* Gillen
* Glendale
* Halistra
* Harlosh
* Harrapool
* Heaste
* Heribusta
* Hungladder
* Idrigill
* Isleornsay
* Kensaleyre
* Kilbride
* Kilmaluag
* Kilmarie
* Kilmore
* Kilmuir
* Kilvaxter
* Kingsburgh
* Kylerhea
* Lealt
* Lower Breakish
* Luib
* Milovaig
* Mugeary
* Ollach
* Ose
* Peinachorran
* Peinlich
* Portnalong
* Ramasaig
* Roag
* Sconser
* Skeabost
* Sligachan
* Staffin
* Stein
* Struan
* Suladale
* Talisker
* Tarskavaig
* Teangue
* Torrin
* Totaig
* Tote
* Treaslane
* Trumpan
* Uig (Duirinish)
* Uigshader
* Ullinish
* Upper Breakish
* Vatten

Mountains and hills|

* Am Basteir
* Beinn na Caillich
* Blà Bheinn
* Bruach na Frìthe
* Clach Glas
* Glamaig
* Healabhal Bheag
* Healabhal Mhòr
* Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh
* Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh
* Sgùrr MhicChoinnich
* Sgùrr na Banachdaich
* Sgùrr nan Gillean
* Sgùrr Dearg
* Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh
* Marsco
* Quiraing/Meall na Suiramach
* Sgùrr Alasdair
* The Storr

History and prehistory|

* Armadale Castle
* Battle of the Spoiling Dyke
* Caisteal Maol
* Battle of the Braes
* Cill Chriosd
* Corriechatachan
* Dùn Ringill
* Duntulm Castle
* Dunvegan Castle
* Fairy Flag
* Flora MacDonald
* High Pasture Cave
* Mugearite
* Neil Mackinnon
* Sir Lachlan Mackinnon (clan chief)
* Sir Rory Mor's Horn
* Rubha an Dùnain

Local culture|

* Isle of Skye Music Festival
* MacCrimmon pipers
* Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
* Skye Camanachd
* Skye Live Festival
* Skye Museum of Island Life
* Talisker whisky
* Té Bheag
* "The Skye Boat Song"

Peninsulas|

* Duirinish
* Minginish
* Sleat
* Strathaird
* Trotternish
* Waternish

Surrounding islands|

* Ascrib Islands
* Crowlin Islands
* Eilean Bàn
* Eilean Fladday
* Eilean Mòr
* Eilean Tigh
* Eilean Trodday
* Fladda-chùain
* Guillamon Island
* Harlosh Island
* Isay
* Lampay
* Longay
* Mingay
* Oronsay
* Pabay
* Raasay
* Scalpay
* Rona
* Soay
* Staffin Island
* Tarner Island
* Wiay

Other|

* MV Glenachulish
* Skye Bridge

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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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