Ellenabeich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ellenabeich
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 The village of Ellenabeich with the outline of the former island of Eilean-a-beithich at centre left, the island of Easdale beyond and the Garvellachs in the distance |
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 Ellenabeich
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| OS grid reference | NM7417 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | OBAN |
| Postcode district | PA34 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Ellenabeich is a small village in Scotland. Its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic words Eilean nam Beitheach, which mean "island of the birchwoods."
This village is found on the Seil island, also known as Saoil in Scottish Gaelic. Seil is located on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Oban. Ellenabeich used to be a busy place for mining slate. It was also a filming location for parts of the movie Ring of Bright Water. Seil is one of the islands known as the Slate Islands.
The Village Name
Ellenabeich gets its name from a nearby island. This island was once called Eilean nam Beitheach. Over time, the island was completely mined away for its slate. Now, its name is used for the village itself in Scottish Gaelic.
Sometimes, people call Ellenabeich by another name, "Easdale". This is because it is very close to the island of Easdale.
What to See in Ellenabeich
In Ellenabeich, you can find a few interesting places:
- Ellenabeich Heritage Centre: This centre opened in the year 2000. It is managed by the Scottish Slate Islands Heritage Trust. The centre is set up inside an old cottage where a slate quarry worker used to live. It shows what life was like in the 1800s. You can also learn about the important slate mining industry here. The centre also shares information about the local plants, animals, and the area's geology (how the rocks and land were formed).
Slate and "Fool's Gold"
The slate found in this area sometimes contains a mineral called pyrites. This mineral is often called "fool's gold" because it looks like gold but is not valuable.
The house where the old slate works manager lived was once a hotel called the Easdale Inn. Now, it has been changed back into a private home.
Getting Around
A small ferry boat runs from Ellenabeich to the nearby island of Easdale.
