Stuley

Stuley
Meaning of name Stula's Island from Norse
Location
Stuley
Stuley shown within the Outer Hebrides
OS grid reference NF830234
Physical geography
Island group Uists & Barra
Area 45 hectares (0.17 sq mi)
Area rank 210=[1]
Highest elevation 40 metres (131 ft)
Political geography
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Na h-Eileanan Siar
Demographics
Population 0
References [2][3][4][5]

Stuley is an island lying to the east of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It lies off the section of coastline between Loch Eynort and Loch Boisdale. It is 45 hectares (0.17 sq mi) and 40 metres (131 ft) at its highest point.

Geography and geology

The rock is "intermediate and basic Lewisian rock with a distinctly greenish colour".[3]

It is separated from South Uist by Stuley Sound. Off the east coast are three islets/skerries - Dubh-Sgeir Mhòr & Dubh-Sgeir Bheag, and Glas-Eilean Mòr. Glas-Eilean Beag is to the west.

History

From local placenames such as Creag na h-Oraide (on Stuley), and Creag an t-Sagairt (on nearby Uist), meaning the rocks of the speech/sermon and priest respectively, there is some evidence of ecclesiastical connections, possibly culdee.

The island's name is Norse in origin, meaning "Stula's Island". Stula's name can also be found in the name of a mountain on the nearby Uist "mainland", Stulaval.

There are no written records of habitation, and it is currently used for sheep grazing. Haswell-Smith however notes the remains of lazybeds, and ruins of shielings (habitations for summer grazing), and suggests that the island was yet another victim of the Highland Clearances.[3]

References

  1. Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands >20ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
  3. 1 2 3 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  4. Ordnance Survey
  5. "Overview of Stuley Island". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 4 October 2008.

Coordinates: 57°11′29″N 7°14′59″W / 57.19138°N 7.24976°W / 57.19138; -7.24976

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