Eilean Liubhaird facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Eilean Liubhaird |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | possibly "yew island" |
| OS grid reference | NB382099 |
| Coordinates | 58°00′N 6°26′W / 58.00°N 6.43°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Lewis and Harris |
| Area | 125 ha |
| Area rank | 133= |
| Highest elevation | 76 m |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Eilean Liubhaird, also known as Eilean Iubhard, is a small island. It is located in the Outer Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland. You can find it just east of the larger island of Lewis.
Contents
Island Features and Rocks
The island's main rock is called gneiss. This is a type of rock that has been changed by heat and pressure. There are also some areas of basalt, which is a volcanic rock.
Eilean Liubhaird has an oblong (oval) shape. It stretches from east to west in a body of water called Loch Sealg (Loch Shell). The island has several small bays along its southern coast. It also helps protect the harbour of Lemreway on the nearby Lewis mainland.
The island has two higher points, one at each end. The middle part of the island is lower. You can find two small lochs (lakes) in the west and three in the east. There are also several small streams, known as burns, flowing across the island.
A Look at History
The name Dùnan, found on the island's south coast, might mean "little fort." This suggests there might have been a small fort there a very long time ago.
The name "Eilean Liubhaird" could mean "yew island." However, many places in the Outer Hebrides have names from the old Norse language. So, some people think "Iubhard" might come from the Norse word for a narrow sea inlet, like a fjord or firth.
Early Visits and Wildlife
In 1549, a man named Dean Munro visited the island. He wrote that it had good areas for grazing animals. He also mentioned that it was a great place for hunting otters from their dens.
Bonnie Prince Charlie's Hiding Place
A famous event happened on Eilean Liubhaird in 1746. Bonnie Prince Charlie, a Scottish prince, hid on the island for four days. He was with some of his men, trying to escape the Royal Navy. British ships were patrolling the nearby waters at the time.
They camped under a sail that was stretched over a "low, pitiful hut." It rained very heavily while they were there.
Life on the Island
In the early 1800s, five families lived on Eilean Liubhaird. It's thought they moved there after Bonnie Prince Charlie's visit, as there were no people mentioned during his time. The main village was called Seanna-Bhaile, which means "the old town." There was also a single house known as Taigh a' Gheumpaill.
See also
In Spanish: Eilean Liubhaird para niños
