Shared description
Mingulay (Miłghlaigh)
The island of Mingulay is situated at the southern end of the string of islands that forms the Outer Hebrides, only Berneray (aka Barra Head) being further south.
It was occupied from prehistoric times up until 1912 when all the remaining residents left, mostly for Vatersay and Barra.
The roofs of the houses were apparently all removed to prevent the islanders returning. The National Trust for Scotland has owned Mingulay since 2000 and has a warden who lives (I'm not sure how often or for what length of time) in the former school which is the only habitable building left on the island.
While on the eastern side of the island the land gently slopes down to the magnificent beach and bay in front of the village, the western coast, by contrast, features precipitous and dramatic coastal cliff scenery which rivals St Kilda in its grandness. These cliffs are home to thousands of seabirds, while seals abound all around the island.
The island's statistics are:
Area: 650ha (about 2½ square miles)
Highest point: Càrnan, 273 m (896')
Population: 0 (though with occasionally resident NTS warden)
Abandoned: Summer 1912 (though evacuation had commenced in c.1907
The population prior to the major exodus was about 140)
See Wikipedia article for more information Link
There is a host of information and photographs of the island on the Canmore website Link
Aerial view of Mingulay (Miùghlaigh) with Berneray (Beàrnaraigh) Barra Head (Geograph: M J Richardson) NL5582 : Mingulay/Miughlaigh and Berneray/Bearnaraigh
It was occupied from prehistoric times up until 1912 when all the remaining residents left, mostly for Vatersay and Barra.
The roofs of the houses were apparently all removed to prevent the islanders returning. The National Trust for Scotland has owned Mingulay since 2000 and has a warden who lives (I'm not sure how often or for what length of time) in the former school which is the only habitable building left on the island.
While on the eastern side of the island the land gently slopes down to the magnificent beach and bay in front of the village, the western coast, by contrast, features precipitous and dramatic coastal cliff scenery which rivals St Kilda in its grandness. These cliffs are home to thousands of seabirds, while seals abound all around the island.
The island's statistics are:
Area: 650ha (about 2½ square miles)
Highest point: Càrnan, 273 m (896')
Population: 0 (though with occasionally resident NTS warden)
Abandoned: Summer 1912 (though evacuation had commenced in c.1907
The population prior to the major exodus was about 140)
See Wikipedia article for more information Link
There is a host of information and photographs of the island on the Canmore website Link
Aerial view of Mingulay (Miùghlaigh) with Berneray (Beàrnaraigh) Barra Head (Geograph: M J Richardson) NL5582 : Mingulay/Miughlaigh and Berneray/Bearnaraigh
by Rob Farrow
Created: Thu, 8 Jul 2021, Updated: Thu, 28 Oct 2021
19 images use this description: (all images taken in 2021)
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