Ìosaigh

A good resting point for birds and seals, but too low for anything to breed.

Taken from the Trumpan road above Ardmore Bay. View over Loch Bay to the Isles of Clett, Mingay and Isay beneath heavy clouds.

Most of the beach is made not of coral, but of maerl.

Chartered a boat from Stein on a beautiful sunny afternoon to bag this tussocky grassy summit. Name: Iosaigh Hill number: 10555 Height: 31m / 102ft Parent (Ma/M): none Area: 17A: North Skye and Raasay Class: 0 Grid ref: NG218568 (est) Drop: 31m Col: Sea

In the 16th century the main house on the island was inhabited by the MacLeods of Lewis, and it was here that Roderick Macleod of Lewis implemented his plan to ensure that his grandson would inherit Raasay and the lands of Gairloch. He convened the two powerful families of the time at Isay house for a banquet which he suggested was to inform them of good news. During the feast he invited each person present to accompany him outside of the banquet hall in order to inform them of this news. Upon leaving the hall the victim was promptly stabbed to death. In this way both families were wiped out. The island was home to a small fishing community in around the 1830s, which included a general store and fishing station, and by 1841 supported 15 families "in considerable comfort". However, like many other small islands, the population of around ninety were removed during the Highland clearances to make way for sheep. The remains of the 18 or more cottages can be clearly seen from the Waternish peninsula, which overlooks the three islands.

The island was home to a small fishing community in around the 1830s, which included a general store and fishing station, and by 1841 supported 15 families "in considerable comfort". However, like many other small islands, the population of around ninety were removed during the Highland clearances to make way for sheep. The remains of the 18 or more cottages can be clearly seen from the Waternish peninsula, which overlooks the three islands. There were no evidence that sheep graze this island any more. The island was briefly owned by the singer Donovan in the 1960s.

Elena C is an Aquastar 33 skippered by Gordon MacKay from Stein. Gordon runs Diver's Eye boat trips with a great sense of humour and his kettle is always on. His website can be accessed here Link

Boat from Stein on a beautiful sunny afternoon then on to Clett to finish. Name: Mingay Hill number: 10552 Height: 32m / 105ft Parent (Ma/M): none Area: 17A: North Skye and Raasay Class: 0 Grid ref: NG223576 (est) Drop: 32m Col: Sea

This is a disused Lime Kiln, and was used to create lime from shells. Not sure of age but probably early 1800's or earlier. This was the only building evident on this island.

This is a disused Lime Kiln, and was used to create lime from shells. Not sure of age but probably early 1800's or earlier. This was the only building evident on this island.

The grassy summit of Clett and our third island summit on a sunny afternoon with Devil's Eye boat trips.

This is a medium-large black bird, 68 to 78 centimetres (27 to 31 in) long and with a 95-to-110-centimetre (37 to 43 in) wingspan. It has a longish tail and yellow throat-patch. Adults have a small crest in the breeding season. It is distinguished from the great cormorant by its smaller size, lighter build, thinner bill, and, in breeding adults, by the crest and metallic green-tinged sheen on the feathers. Among those differences are that a shag has a lighter, narrower beak; and the juvenile shag has darker underparts. The European shag's tail has 12 feathers, the great cormorant's 14 feathers. The green sheen on the feathers results in the alternative name green cormorant sometimes being given to the European shag.

Groban na Sgeire is a promontory to the north of Dunvegan adjacent to the 'coral beach' to be found there. Iosaigh is the island.

A dyke protruding from the point of Groban na Sgeire. The land in the distance is Dunvegan Head, on the left, and Iosaigh island on the right.

On the rocks at the north end of Lampay Island.

Hill at the north end of Skye's Coral Beaches.