Eilean nan Gall

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Eilean nan Gall

Loch Glen Na Feannag shieling and chambered cairn The shieling is built on the edge of a much earlier chambered cairn. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/10251/north-uist-loch-glen-na-feannag" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/10251/north-uist-loch-glen-na-feannag">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> — Loch Glen Na Feannag shieling and chambered cairn Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Eilean nan Gall, also known as the Island of Strangers, is a small uninhabited island located off the west coast of Inverness-shire, Scotland. Situated in the picturesque Loch Alsh, the island measures approximately 3.6 hectares in size and is accessible only by boat.

The island's name, Eilean nan Gall, translates to "island of the strangers" in Gaelic, referring to the Vikings who once inhabited the area centuries ago. The Vikings used the island as a base for their raids on the mainland, taking advantage of its strategic location.

Eilean nan Gall is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs surrounding most of its perimeter. The island is home to a variety of bird species, including gannets, puffins, and guillemots, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

Visitors to the island can explore its natural beauty, taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding loch and nearby mountains. The island's remote location and lack of human habitation provide a sense of tranquility and solitude, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

While there are no facilities or amenities on the island, nearby towns such as Kyle of Lochalsh and Plockton offer accommodation options and boat tours for visitors interested in exploring Eilean nan Gall. Overall, the island's rich history, stunning scenery, and abundant wildlife make it a hidden gem in the Scottish Highlands.

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Eilean nan Gall Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.552151/-7.2568871 or Grid Reference NF8563. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Loch Glen Na Feannag shieling and chambered cairn

The shieling is built on the edge of a much earlier chambered cairn. Link

Sandy Gerrard

Loch Glen Na Feannag chambered cairn

A close up view of the large slabs forming the chamber. Link

Sandy Gerrard

Oban Nam Fiadh chambered cairn

Large stones forming part of the chamber. Link

Sandy Gerrard

Oban Nam Fiadh chambered cairn

View from above showing the character of the chamber. Link

Sandy Gerrard

The community of Locheport on the shore of Loch Eport

Seen from the circular way-marked path on Beinn Langais as it leaves the summit and descends to the Pobull Fhinn stone circle.

Julian Paren

Field, Loch Euphort

It looks rough, but these fields show up as a green area against the moors when seen from the hills.

Richard Webb

End of the B894

The road continues with a sharp bend to Saighdinis, only now coloured yellow on the maps.

Richard Webb

Small cove near the head of Loch Langais

David Martin

Locheport: postbox № HS6 8

A small postbox serving this small community, it is emptied at 9 o'clock on weekday mornings and half an hour earlier on Saturdays.

Chris Downer

Sidinish: postbox № HS6 20 and the old post office

This postbox stands outside the old post office, which was in the building to the right. See NF8763 : Sidinish Post Office for a picture of the post office when it was operational. The post office had opened in the early part of 1930 but fell victim to the Network Change programme - in which 2,500 branches nationwide were axed - and its last day of business was 21 July 2008.

Chris Downer

Otter watching at Beinn Langais

Alan Reid

Improved land, Loch Euphort

Some of the strip of improved land running along the south side of a sea loch which almost crosses North Uist.

Richard Webb

Oban nam Fiadh

A branch of Loch Euphort and there is probably more water than land between here and Eabhal.

Richard Webb

Locheport: view north across the loch

Looking north from the B894, across Loch Euphort, over the western peninsula of the island of Steisaigh and into the mouth of Loch Langais.

Chris Downer

Locheport: a deer behind a ruin

This rather magnificent creature was as surprised to see me as I was to see him when I stopped the car to take a quick photo looking across the loch. He was with several others.

Chris Downer

Locheport: four deer look at me

These deer were roused by my stopping the car to take a picture, at which point I had no idea they were there.

Chris Downer

Locheport: two deer dart across the B894

Having roused a group of deer as I got out of the car to take a photo across the loch, unaware of their presence, after a bit of mutual bluffing these two deer darted across the road, leaping rather noisily over the fences on each side of the road. I was a little too slow with the camera so the one on the right is not quite fully in shot.

Chris Downer