Scalpay, Outer Hebrides

Scalpay is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. GeographyScalpay is around 4km long and rises to a height of 104m at Beinn Scorabhaig. The area of Scalpay is 653ha. The main settlement on the island is at the north, near the bridge, clustered around An Acairseid a Tuath (North Harbour). 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 the 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. Scalpay's nearest neighbour, Harris, is just 300m away across the narrows of Caolas Scalpaigh. In 1997, a bridge from Harris to Scalpay was built, replacing a ferry service. EtymologyMac an Tàilleir suggests the name derives from "ship island" from the Norse. However, Haswell-Smith states that the Old Norse name was Skalprøy, meaning "scallop island". ReligionThe vast majority of the locals in Scalpay are Protestants. The island is home to two Presbyterian churches, the Free Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). Like most places in the Outer Hebrides, Sunday is a day that locals use to rest from work and attend church. Respect for the Sabbath is appreciated by the islanders and they warmly welcome all visitors to meet with them during the services. DemographicsIn 2001, the island had 322 people, whose main employment was fish farming and prawn fishing. By 2011 the population had declined by 9% to 291 whilst during the same period Scottish island populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103, 702.

Scalpay is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. GeographyScalpay is around 4km long and rises to a height of 104m at Beinn Scorabhaig. The area of Scalpay is 653ha. The main settlement on the island is at the north, near the bridge, clustered around An Acairseid a Tuath (North Harbour). 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 the 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. Scalpay's nearest neighbour, Harris, is just 300m away across the narrows of Caolas Scalpaigh. In 1997, a bridge from Harris to Scalpay was built, replacing a ferry service. EtymologyMac an Tàilleir suggests the name derives from "ship island" from the Norse. However, Haswell-Smith states that the Old Norse name was Skalprøy, meaning "scallop island". ReligionThe vast majority of the locals in Scalpay are Protestants. The island is home to two Presbyterian churches, the Free Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). Like most places in the Outer Hebrides, Sunday is a day that locals use to rest from work and attend church. Respect for the Sabbath is appreciated by the islanders and they warmly welcome all visitors to meet with them during the services. DemographicsIn 2001, the island had 322 people, whose main employment was fish farming and prawn fishing. By 2011 the population had declined by 9% to 291 whilst during the same period Scottish island populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103, 702.