Sgarabhaigh
Encyclopedia
Sgarabhaigh is a small uninhabited island in the eastern end of the Sound of Harris
, Outer Hebrides
, Scotland
.
It is approximately 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) in size and is home to many seabirds, otters and grey seals. Sgarabhaigh and its sister islands of Grodhaigh and Bhatam, Lingeigh
and Gilsaigh are colloquially known as the "Pabach Islands" as they used to provide peat for the islanders on Pabbay
when their own supplies ran out in the 19th century.
The island is now the focus for a sustainability project designed to protect the island's environment, help local economic and social regeneration in the wider islands, and provide people with a perpetual link to Scotland. Whilst open to all, the project particularly wants to connect with descendants of the islanders who were displaced by the Highland Clearances
of the 18th and 19th centuries.
In July 2009, English former merchant banker Geoff Spice decided to be cast away on Sgarabhaigh for a month in order to give up his smoking habit, and attracted some media attention to the island.
Sound of Harris
The Sound of Harris is a channel between the islands of Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:Approximately in width, the Sound of Harris provides the main sea passage through the Hebridean archipelago, from the Atlantic Ocean to The Minch. There are many islands and...
, Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
It is approximately 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) in size and is home to many seabirds, otters and grey seals. Sgarabhaigh and its sister islands of Grodhaigh and Bhatam, Lingeigh
Lingeigh
Lingeigh or Lingay is an unpopulated islet in the Outer Hebrides.It lies towards the southern end of the archipelago , just north of Rosinish and 3 miles south of Vatersay. On the south-east side of the island there is a cave....
and Gilsaigh are colloquially known as the "Pabach Islands" as they used to provide peat for the islanders on Pabbay
Pabbay
There is more than one island named Pabbay in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. See:* Pabbay, Barra, Scotland in the Bishop's Isles* Pabbay, Harris* Pabbay, South Uist...
when their own supplies ran out in the 19th century.
The island is now the focus for a sustainability project designed to protect the island's environment, help local economic and social regeneration in the wider islands, and provide people with a perpetual link to Scotland. Whilst open to all, the project particularly wants to connect with descendants of the islanders who were displaced by the Highland Clearances
Highland Clearances
The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...
of the 18th and 19th centuries.
In July 2009, English former merchant banker Geoff Spice decided to be cast away on Sgarabhaigh for a month in order to give up his smoking habit, and attracted some media attention to the island.