Ashaig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashaig
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 View from the beach at Ashaig towards Beinn na Caillich |
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 Ashaig
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| OS grid reference | NG690238 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF SKYE |
| Postcode district | IV49 |
| Dialling code | 01471 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Ashaig (which means "ferry" in Gaelic) is a small village. It is located near Broadford on the beautiful Isle of Skye in Scotland. Ashaig is part of the Highland Council area.
Contents
History of Ashaig
A Special Place: St. Maelrubha
Ashaig has a very old burial ground that is still used today. This place is special because it is linked to St. Maelrubha. He was a saint who lived a long time ago, from about 642 to 722 AD. People say he was an important religious leader for Skye.
Stories tell that St. Maelrubha sailed to Skye from Applecross on a large flat stone! Some also believe he lived on the small island of Pabay, which is across from Ashaig beach.
In the burial ground, you can still see a special spring. It is said to have appeared when the saint pulled a small tree from the ground. There is also a rocky cliff above the river. People believe St. Maelrubha used this rock as a pulpit, a place to give speeches. It is called Creag an leabhair, which means "the rock of the book."
Sadly, the saint's bell is no longer there. People say it used to hang from a tree and ring by itself to call people to prayer.
War Graves at Ashaig
The burial ground also holds graves from the Commonwealth War Graves. Most of these are for sailors from a ship called HMS Curacoa. This Royal Navy warship sank in 1942. It crashed into the ocean liner Queen Mary while escorting it during World War II.
Old Discoveries
The special spring is covered by a stone building called a well-house. In 1994, during some repair work, people found that the well-house was connected to an even older stone-lined spring. They also found a stone with a cross mark near the well-house. An ancient stone axe from the Neolithic period (Stone Age) was found near the spring too.
In the middle of the 1800s, parts of a medieval church, called "Cill Ashik," could still be seen in the burial ground.
Getting Around Ashaig
Ashaig is located right on the A87 road, which makes it easy to reach.
Broadford Airfield
Ashaig is home to Broadford Airfield. It was built in 1972. It used to have commercial flights, but those stopped in 1988.
Today, the airfield is used by a flying club. It is also important for emergency services, like air ambulances. At the end of the airstrip, there is a large and beautiful sandy beach. It's a great spot to visit when the tide is low.
You might have even seen the airfield before! It was featured in the 1980 science fiction movie Flash Gordon.
