Eilean Ornsay facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Eilean Ornsay |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | tidal island |
| OS grid reference | NR161523 |
| Coordinates | 56°36′N 6°31′W / 56.6°N 6.51°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Mull |
| Area | 14 ha (0.054 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Eilean Ornsay is a small, rocky island found off the southwest coast of Coll, another island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides. It sits on the west side of a sea loch called Loch Eatharna. This island is special because you can walk to it from Coll when the tide is low. This means it's a "tidal island." No one lives on Eilean Ornsay today.
Recently, people exploring the area found signs of old buildings and other interesting things. These discoveries were made during a special walk called a "field walk" on the east side of Coll.
Contents
Exploring Eilean Ornsay's Past
Eilean Ornsay might be small and empty now, but it has a hidden history! People from the Coll Archaeology Association Shorewatch group recently visited the island. They found several old sites that no one knew about before.
Ancient Buildings and Structures
One exciting find was what might be an old fort, known as a dun. Duns were strong, round stone buildings used by people long ago, perhaps for protection.
The explorers also found several rock-cut basins. These are hollows or bowls carved into the rock. People aren't sure exactly what they were used for, but they could have been for grinding things, collecting water, or even for special ceremonies.
Signs of Daily Life
Other discoveries on Eilean Ornsay show how people might have lived and worked there in the past:
- A kelp kiln was found. A kiln is like an oven. Kelp is a type of seaweed, and people used to burn it in kilns to make soda ash, which was used for making soap or glass.
- A shell mound was discovered. This is a pile of shells left behind by people who ate shellfish, like oysters or mussels. It's like an ancient rubbish dump!
- A sheiling was identified. Sheilings were simple, temporary shelters used by people who moved their animals to different pastures in the summer.
- An enclosure was also found. This is an area of land surrounded by a wall or fence, perhaps used to keep animals or protect crops.
These discoveries help us imagine what life was like on and around Eilean Ornsay many hundreds of years ago.
Images for kids
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Eilean Ornsay in 2007, showing its rocky coast.
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A map of Coll, showing where duns, hillforts, and crannogs (ancient lake dwellings) are located.
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