Wiay

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Wiay

Rocks off Rubha Cam nan Gall
Rocks off Rubha Cam nan Gall Credit: Toby Speight

Wiay is a small island located off the west coast of Scotland, in Inverness-shire. It is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago and lies approximately 8 miles southwest of the town of Mallaig. With a land area of just over 1 square mile, Wiay is a relatively small and uninhabited island.

The terrain of Wiay is characterized by rugged hills, rocky coastlines, and a few small sandy beaches. The highest point on the island reaches around 300 feet above sea level. The vegetation on Wiay consists mainly of grasses, heather, and scattered shrubs.

Despite its small size, Wiay is rich in wildlife. It is particularly known for its colonies of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The surrounding waters are also home to a variety of marine life, including seals and dolphins, making the island a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts.

Wiay does not have any permanent residents, and there are no settlements or buildings on the island. However, it is occasionally visited by tourists and wildlife researchers who come to explore its natural beauty and study its unique ecosystem.

Access to Wiay is mainly by private boat or chartered ferry services from Mallaig. Visitors are advised to bring their own supplies, as there are no facilities or amenities available on the island. Despite its remote and unpopulated nature, Wiay offers a serene and picturesque escape for those seeking tranquility and an opportunity to connect with nature.

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Wiay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.398044/-7.2056214 or Grid Reference NF8746. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Rocks off Rubha Cam nan Gall
Rocks off Rubha Cam nan Gall
Sgaracleit
Sgaracleit
Eastern end of Fuidheigh
Eastern end of Fuidheigh
Cormorants on An Dubh-sgeir a Deas
Cormorants on An Dubh-sgeir a Deas
Sheep on Reagam Even islands as small as this each support a handful of sheep for summer grazing.
Sheep on Reagam
Even islands as small as this each support a handful of sheep for summer grazing.
Bagh na Murla The sheltered bay that served the croft house on Wiay.
Bagh na Murla
The sheltered bay that served the croft house on Wiay.
By Bonnie Prince Charlie's Cave During the wandering of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden, he spent time in hiding on the island of Wiay.  On an Islands Book Trust trip to Wiay in company of an author writing a book about this topic, a visit was made to the cave where it is reputed Bonnie Prince Charlie hid.
By Bonnie Prince Charlie's Cave
During the wandering of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden, he spent time in hiding on the island of Wiay. On an Islands Book Trust trip to Wiay in company of an author writing a book about this topic, a visit was made to the cave where it is reputed Bonnie Prince Charlie hid.
Wet terrain by the summit of Beinn a Tuath Small lochans and lochs dominate the interior of Wiay.  Even the summit of Beinn a Tuath has its own small rock-fringed area of water.
Wet terrain by the summit of Beinn a Tuath
Small lochans and lochs dominate the interior of Wiay. Even the summit of Beinn a Tuath has its own small rock-fringed area of water.
Derelict croft house on Wiay The Islands Book Trust organized an evening talk and day boat trip to Wiay. Alasdair MacEachen explained that the condition imposed by Lady Gordon Cathcart on the tenant-to-be of Wiay was that the croft house must not cost more than £70 to build.
Derelict croft house on Wiay
The Islands Book Trust organized an evening talk and day boat trip to Wiay. Alasdair MacEachen explained that the condition imposed by Lady Gordon Cathcart on the tenant-to-be of Wiay was that the croft house must not cost more than £70 to build.
Flat terrain near the Wiay croft Possibly the flattest ground on the whole of Wiay - and dry underfoot!
Flat terrain near the Wiay croft
Possibly the flattest ground on the whole of Wiay - and dry underfoot!
Headland at northern limit of Beinn a Tuath Viewed on a boat bound for the eagle eyries nearby on the cliffs.
Headland at northern limit of Beinn a Tuath
Viewed on a boat bound for the eagle eyries nearby on the cliffs.
Below the eagles' eyries A stationary boat with all eyes on the eyries on the cliff face above.  But no birds were at home.  We had seen the eagles earlier in the day flying above Wiay.
Below the eagles' eyries
A stationary boat with all eyes on the eyries on the cliff face above. But no birds were at home. We had seen the eagles earlier in the day flying above Wiay.
Loch na Beiste The largest freshwater loch on Wiay.
Loch na Beiste
The largest freshwater loch on Wiay.
Bonnie Prince Charlie's Cave, Wiay The Islands Book Trust organised a boat trip to Wiay, off Benbecula.  Gregor and his dog Meg were following the footsteps of the Prince who spent a few nights on Wiay following Culloden.  The photo shows members of the trip photographing Gregor & Meg outside the cave.
Bonnie Prince Charlie's Cave, Wiay
The Islands Book Trust organised a boat trip to Wiay, off Benbecula. Gregor and his dog Meg were following the footsteps of the Prince who spent a few nights on Wiay following Culloden. The photo shows members of the trip photographing Gregor & Meg outside the cave.
Wiay, Bagh na Murla Seaweed on rocks at Wiay.
Wiay, Bagh na Murla
Seaweed on rocks at Wiay.
Wiay, Disembarking We landed on Wiay from a small boat and clambered over slippery, seaweed covered rocks, helped by our companions.
Wiay, Disembarking
We landed on Wiay from a small boat and clambered over slippery, seaweed covered rocks, helped by our companions.
Mooring at Wiay The boat safely moored at Wiay the Islands Book Trust party set off to explore some of the island.  The weather was very kind.
Mooring at Wiay
The boat safely moored at Wiay the Islands Book Trust party set off to explore some of the island. The weather was very kind.
Old Croft House, Wiay The old croft house was built early last century by the tenant of Wiay.
Old Croft House, Wiay
The old croft house was built early last century by the tenant of Wiay.
Show me another place!

Wiay is located at Grid Ref: NF8746 (Lat: 57.398044, Lng: -7.2056214)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

Also known as: Fuidheigh

What 3 Words

///squabbles.owls.gross. Near Balivanich, Na h-Eileanan Siar

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.398044,-7.2056214
Beinn a Tuath
Ele: 102
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 57.3994392/-7.2107864
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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