Fuiay facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Fùidheigh |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | "House island" from Norse |
| OS grid reference | NF740022 |
| Coordinates | 57°00′N 7°22′W / 57.0°N 7.37°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Outer Hebrides |
| Area | 84 ha (210 acres) |
| Area rank | 159= |
| Highest elevation | 107 m (351 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Fuiay (pronounced "Foo-ee-ay") is a small, uninhabited island in Scotland. It's part of the beautiful Outer Hebrides, a group of islands off Scotland's west coast. Fuiay is one of ten islands found in the Sound of Barra. This area is super important for nature, so it's protected! The island is about 84 hectares big, which is like 200 football fields. Its highest point is 107 meters tall, similar to a 35-story building. You can find Fuiay west of Flodday island and southwest of Hellisay. The larger island of Barra is just across the water.
Where is Fuiay?
Fuiay is located in the Sound of Barra. This is a special area in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It's recognized as a "Site of Community Importance." This means it's a place where nature and wildlife are protected. The island is found near other small islands.
What's in a Name?
The name "Fuiay" might come from an old language called Norse. In Norse, it could mean "house island." This makes sense because people used to live there. Another idea is that the name is a mix of Gaelic and Norse. The Gaelic word bhuidhe means "yellow." The Norse word øy means "island." So, it could mean "yellow island."
Life on Fuiay (Long Ago)
Even though Fuiay is empty now, people once lived there. Around the early 1800s, about six families called Fuiay home. They lived along a "street" in the northwest part of the island. This area was called Rubh' an Aiseig, which means "ferry headland." People stopped living on Fuiay around the year 1850. There's also a natural area near the coast that might have been used to catch fish.
Exploring Nearby Islands
Fuiay is one of several islands near the northeast coast of Barra. Other islands close by include Orosay, Fuday, and Gighay. The sea to the northwest of Fuiay has many small rocks and tiny islands. But there's a safe place to anchor a boat north of Rubh' an Aiseig. This spot is protected by two small islands: Sgeirislum to the west and Eilean Sheumais to the east. Further north, in the Sound of Hellisay, you'll find a larger islet called Garbh Lingeigh.
