Scalpay, Outer Hebrides
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Scalpay - Outer Hebrides.jpg
Scalpay (Gaelic: Scalpaigh or Scalpaidh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
In 2001, the island had a population of 322 people, whose main industries are fish farming and prawn fishing.
Geography
Scalpay is around 4 kilometres long and rises to a height of 104 metres at Beinn Scorabhaig. Scalpay's nearest neighbour, Harris is just 300m away over narrow Caolas Scalpaigh. The two islands were linked in 1997 by a bridge that replaced the ferry service. The main settlement on the island is at the north, near the bridge, clustered around An Acairseid a Tuath (Gaelic: The Harbour in the North).
The island is peppered with small lochans. The largest of these is Loch an Duin (Loch of the Fort) which has a tiny island in it with the remains of a fort still visible.
Eilean Glas a tiny peninsula on Scalpay's eastern shore is home to the first lighthouse to be built in the Outer Hebrides.