List of islands of Scotland facts for kids
This is a list of islands in Scotland. The main part of Scotland is on the island of Great Britain. An island here means land surrounded by seawater every day, even if it's sometimes connected at low tide. It doesn't include places connected by bridges or causeways built by people.
Scotland has about 900 islands off its coast. Most of them are in four main groups: Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides. The Hebrides are split into the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides. There are also groups of islands in the Firth of Clyde, Firth of Forth, and Solway Firth. Many small islands are found in Scotland's freshwater lochs, like Loch Lomond and Loch Maree.
The biggest island is Lewis and Harris, which is 2,179 square kilometres. About 200 other islands are larger than 40 hectares. Some smaller islands, like Staffa and the Flannan Isles, are also very famous. About 94 Scottish islands have people living on them all the time, and 89 of these are offshore islands. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of people living on Scottish islands grew by 4%, reaching 103,702.
The islands have many different types of rocks and landforms. Some, like Skye and Mull, have mountains. Others, like Tiree and Sanday, are mostly flat. Many islands have very old rocks called Lewisian Gneiss, formed 3 billion years ago. Shapinsay and other Orkney islands are made of Old Red Sandstone, which is 400 million years old. Islands like Rùm were formed by more recent volcanoes. Strong tides sweep many islands. The Corryvreckan tide race between Scarba and Jura is one of the world's biggest whirlpools!
The culture of the islands has been shaped by different groups of people over time. These include Celtic, Norse, and English speakers. This mix can be seen in the island names. Many Hebrides names come from Scots Gaelic. Names in the Northern Isles often come from the Vikings. Some names might even be older than Celtic languages. Modern island life often has very low crime rates. Islands are thought to be among the safest places to live in Britain. Orkney was even named the best place to live in Scotland in 2013 and 2014.
Rockall is a tiny rocky island in the North Atlantic. Scotland claimed it in 1972. However, other countries like Ireland, Denmark, and Iceland disagree with this claim.
Contents
- Island Populations
- Laws for Islands
- Larger Islands of Scotland
- Freshwater Islands
- Smaller Offshore Islands
- Small Island Groups
- Islands Connected by Bridges
- Tidal Islands and Tombolos
- Complex Islands
- Castle Islands
- Holy Islands
- Islands Named After People
- Places Called "Island" That Are Not Islands
- Sea Stacks
- Crannogs
- Images for kids
- See also
Island Populations
The 2011 census showed that 94 Scottish islands had people living on them. Of these, 89 were offshore islands. However, it can be tricky to define what an "island" is and if it's always lived on. The National Records of Scotland also lists 17 more islands that had people in 2001 but not 2011. Some other islands seem to be lived on but aren't in this list.
The local government areas with the most inhabited islands are Argyll and Bute (23 islands), Orkney (20), Shetland (16), and Highland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (14 each). Three islands are in North Ayrshire, and one each in Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, and West Dunbartonshire. The last three, plus two in Argyll and Bute, are freshwater islands, not offshore.
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In the past, many smaller islands that are now empty used to have people living on them. During the 1800s, many people were forced to leave islands like Pabbay and Fuaigh Mòr. This was part of the Highland Clearances. Many people left the Hebridean islands in the mid-1800s, but some started leaving as early as the 1770s. In 1755, 20% of Scotland's population lived in the crofting areas (where small farms are common). By 1961, this number had dropped to 5%. Other islands like Mingulay, Noss, and St Kilda were left empty in the 1900s. The most distant islands have seen the biggest drops in population.
The table below shows how the populations of the ten most populated islands have changed. Generally, populations grew in the early modern period, then dropped from the mid-1800s onwards. For most islands, the highest population was before 1932, and the lowest was after 1960. Since then, there has been some growth overall, but some islands are still losing people. Between 1991 and 2001, the total island population fell by 3% to 99,739. However, 35 islands saw their populations increase. Then, between 2001 and 2011, the total island population grew by 4% to 103,702. The Scottish Community Alliance noted that areas where local people owned more land saw bigger population increases.
Most Populated Scottish Islands
| Rank | Island | Local Authority | Population | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c. 1801 | 1841 | 1891 | 1931 | 1961 | 1981 | 2001 | 2011 | |||
| 1 | Lewis and Harris | Na h-Eileanan Siar | 12,164 | 20,046 | 30,726 | 28,042 | 24,107 | 22,476 | 19,918 | 21,031 |
| 2 | Mainland, Shetland | Shetland | 20,572 | 19,741 | 15,172 | 13,282 | 17,722 | 17,550 | 18,765 | |
| 3 | Mainland, Orkney | Orkney | 16,022 | 16,498 | 13,352 | 13,495 | 14,000 | 15,315 | 17,162 | |
| 4 | Skye | Highland | 14,470 (in 1794) | 23,082 | 15,705 | 9,908 | 7,479 | 7,276 | 9,232 | 10,008 |
| 5 | Bute | Argyll and Bute | 4,759 (in 1792) | 7,147 | 11,735 | 12,112 | 9,793 | 7,306 | 7,228 | 6,498 |
| 6 | Arran | North Ayrshire | 5,804 (in 1792) | 6,241 | 4,730 | 4,506 | 3,700 | 3,845 | 5,045 | 4,629 |
| 7 | Islay | Argyll and Bute | 9,500 (in 1792) | 15,772 | 7,375 | 4,970 | 3,860 | 3,792 | 3,457 | 3,228 |
| 8 | Mull | Argyll and Bute | 8,016 (in 1794) | 8,316 | 4,691 | 2,903 | 2,154 | 2,197 | 2,667 | 2,800 |
| 9 | South Uist | Na h-Eileanan Siar | 5,093 | 3,708 | 2,810 | 2,376 | 2,231 | 1,818 | 1,754 | |
| 10 | Great Cumbrae | North Ayrshire | 509 (in 1793) | 1,413 | 1,784 | 2,144 | 1,638 | 1,300 | 1,434 | 1,376 |
| Total | 123,704 | 116,693 | 95,919 | 81,884 | 82,145 | 83,664 | 87,251 | |||
| Change | -5.7% | -7.8% | -14.6% | +0.3% | +1.8% | +4.3% | ||||
The next table compares the populations of the main Scottish island groups with the Faroe Islands over a similar time.
| Archipelago | 1801 | 1851 | 1901 | 1931 | 1971 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebrides | 64,690 | 88,615 | 76,780 | 60,390 | 45,480 | 46,632 |
| Change | 37% | –13% | –21% | –25% | 3% | |
| Orkney | 24,445 | 31,318 | 27,763 | 21,933 | 17,007 | 21,349 |
| Change | 28% | –11% | –21% | –22% | 26% | |
| Shetland | 22,000 | 31,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 17,500 | 23,167 |
| Change | 41% | –10% | –25% | –17% | 32% | |
| Faroe Islands | 5,265 | 8,000 | 15,230 | 24,500 | 38,612 | 48,515 |
| Change | 52% | 90% | 61% | 58% | 26% |
Laws for Islands
In July 2013, the Scottish Government announced its plan to give more power to the island councils of Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles. This was called the Lerwick Declaration. Later that year, they promised to do this. In 2017, a new law called the Islands Bill was introduced. This law would make sure that public bodies consider the needs of islands (even uninhabited ones) when making decisions. The Bill was still being discussed in early 2018.
Larger Islands of Scotland
This section lists Scottish islands that are either bigger than 40 hectares (about 100 acres) or have people living on them. The islands are often grouped together to help show where they are. These groups include: Firth of Clyde, Islay, Firth of Lorn, Mull, Small Isles, Skye, Lewis and Harris, Uists and Barra, St Kilda, Orkney, Shetland, and Firth of Forth. Sometimes, a smaller group or local area name is used instead. If an island is marked with "F", it means it's a freshwater island.
Scotland's islands have thirteen Munros (mountains over 914.4 metres or 3,000 feet high). Twelve of these are on Skye. There are also 227 Marilyns (hills with a certain height difference from their surroundings).
| Island | Group | Area (ha) |
Population |
Height (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ailsa Craig (Creag Ealasaid) | Firth of Clyde | 99 | 0 | 338 |
| Arran (Eilean Arainn) | Firth of Clyde | 43,201 | 4,629 | 874 |
| Auskerry | Orkney | 85 | 4 | 18 |
| Baleshare (Am Baile Sear) | Uists and Barra | 910 | 58 | 12 |
| Balta | Shetland | 80 | 0 | 44 |
| Barra (Barraigh) | Uists and Barra | 5,875 | 1,174 | 383 |
| Barra Head (Beàrnaraigh) | Uists and Barra | 204 | 0 | 193 |
| Benbecula (Beinn nam Fadhla) | Uists and Barra | 8,203 | 1,303 | 124 |
| Berneray (Beàrnaraigh) | Uists and Barra | 1,010 | 138 | 93 |
| Bigga | Shetland | 78 | 0 | 34 |
| Boreray (Boraraigh) | St Kilda | 86 | 0 | 384 |
| Boreray (Boighreigh) | Uists and Barra | 204 | 0 | 56 |
| Bressay | Shetland | 2,805 | 368 | 226 |
| Brother Isle | Shetland | 40 | 0 | 25 |
| Bruray | Out Skerries | 55 | 24 | 53 |
| Burray | Orkney | 903 | 409 | 80 |
| Bute (Bòid) | Firth of Clyde | 12,217 | 6,498 | 278 |
| Calf of Eday | Orkney | 243 | 0 | 54 |
| Calbha Mor | Edrachillis Bay | 70 | 0 | 67 |
| Calve Island | Mull | 72 | 0 | 20 |
| Canna (Canaigh) | Small Isles | 1,130 | 12 | 210 |
| Cara | Islay | 66 | 0 | 56 |
| Càrna | Mull | 213 | 0 | 169 |
| Cava | Orkney | 107 | 0 | 38 |
| Ceallasaigh Mòr | Uists and Barra | 55 | 0 | 10 |
| Ceallasaigh Beag | Uists and Barra | 46 | 0 | 10 |
| Ceann Ear | Monach Islands | 203 | 0 | 17 |
| Ceann Iar | Monach Islands | 154 | 0 | 19 |
| Coll (Cola) | Mull | 7,685 | 195 | 106 |
| Colonsay (Colbhasa) | Islay | 4,074 | 124 | 143 |
| Copinsay | Orkney | 73 | 0 | 64 |
| Danna | Islay | 315 * | 1 | 54 |
| Davaar (Eilean Dà Bhàrr) | Firth of Clyde | 52 * | 0 ° | 115 |
| Dunglass Island (F) | River Conon | 40 * | 0 | 8 |
| Easdale (Eilean Èisdeal) | Slate Islands | <20 * | 59 | 38 |
| East Burra | Shetland | 515 | 76 | 81 |
| Eday | Orkney | 2,745 | 160 | 101 |
| Egilsay | Orkney | 650 | 26 | 35 |
| Eigg (Eige) | Small Isles | 3,049 | 83 | 393 |
| Eileach an Naoimh | Garvellachs | 56 | 0 | 80 |
| Eilean Bàn | Highland | <10 * | 0 ° | 5 |
| Eilean Chaluim Chille | Lewis and Harris | 85 | 0 | 43 |
| Eilean Chearstaidh | Lewis and Harris | 77 | 0 | 37 |
| Eilean dà Mhèinn | Islay | 3 * | 1 | 16 |
| Eilean Donan | Highland | <1 * | 0 ° | 3 |
| Eilean Dubh Mòr | Slate Islands | 65 | 0 | 53 |
| Eilean Fladday (Fladaigh) | Inner Hebrides | 120 | 0 | 39 |
| Eilean Liubhaird | Lewis and Harris | 125 | 0 | 76 |
| Eilean Macaskin (Eilean MhicAsgain) | Islay | 50 | 0 | 65 |
| Eilean Meadhonach | Crowlin Islands | 77 | 0 | 54 |
| Eilean Mhealasta | Lewis and Harris | 124 | 0 | 77 |
| Eilean Mhic Chrion | Islay | 54 * | 0 | 63 |
| Eilean Mòr | Crowlin Islands | 170 | 0 | 114 |
| Eilean Mòr (F) | Lewis | 59 * | 0 | 64 |
| Eilean nan Ròn | Highland | 138 | 0 | 76 |
| Eilean Righ | Islay | 86 | 0 | 55 |
| Eilean Shona (Eilean Seòna | Small Isles | 525 | 2 | 265 |
| Eilean Sùbhainn (F) | Loch Maree | 118 * | 0 | 36 |
| Eilean Tigh | Skye | 54 | 0 | 111 |
| Eilean Tioram | Highland | 2 * | 6 | 10 |
| Eilean Trodday (Tròndaigh) | Skye | 42 | 0 | 45 |
| Eileanan Iasgaich | Uists and Barra | 50 | 0 | 23 |
| Ensay (Easaigh) | Uists and Barra | 186 | 0 | 49 |
| Eorsa | Mull | 122 | 0 | 98 |
| Eriska (Aoraisge) | Loch Linnhe | 310 * | - | 47 |
| Eriskay (Èirisgeigh) | Uists and Barra | 703 | 143 | 185 |
| Erraid (Eilean Earraid) | Mull | 187 | 6 | 75 |
| Eynhallow | Orkney | 75 | 0 | 30 |
| Fair Isle | Shetland | 768 | 68 | 217 |
| Fara | Orkney | 295 | 0 | 43 |
| Faray | Orkney | 180 | 0 | 32 |
| Fetlar | Shetland | 4,078 | 61 | 158 |
| Fiaraidh | Uists and Barra | 41 | 0 | 30 |
| Flodaigh | Uists and Barra | 145 * | 7 | 20 |
| Flodaigh Mòr | Uists and Barra | 58 | 0 | 28 |
| Flodday, Sound of Barra | Uists and Barra | 40 | 0 | 41 |
| Flotta | Orkney | 876 | 80 | 58 |
| Foula | Shetland | 1,265 | 38 | 418 |
| Fraoch-eilean | Uists and Barra | 55 | - | 11 |
| Fuaigh Mòr | Lewis and Harris | 84 | 0 | 67 |
| Fuday (Fùideigh) | Uists and Barra | 232 | 0 | 89 |
| Fuiay (Fùidheigh) | Uists and Barra | 84 | 0 | 107 |
| Gairsay | Orkney | 240 | 3 | 102 |
| Garbh Eileach | Garvellachs | 142 | 0 | 110 |
| Garbh Eilean | Shiant Islands | 143 | 0 | 160 |
| Garbh Eilean, Loch Maree (F) | Loch Maree | 65 * | 0 | 25 |
| Gigha (Giogha) | Islay | 1,395 | 163 | 100 |
| Gighay (Gioghaigh) | Uists and Barra | 96 | 0 | 95 |
| Glimps Holm | Orkney | 55 | 0 | 32 |
| Gometra (Gòmastra) | Mull | 425 | 2 | 155 |
| Graemsay | Orkney | 409 | 28 | 62 |
| Great Bernera (Beàrnaraigh Mòr) | Lewis and Harris | 2,122 | 252 | 87 |
| Great Cumbrae (Cumaradh Mòr) | Firth of Clyde | 1,168 | 1,376 | 127 |
| Grimsay (Griomasaigh) | Uists and Barra | 833 | 169 | 22 |
| Grimsay (South) (Griomasaigh) | Uists and Barra | 117 * | 20 | 20 |
| Gruinard Island (Eilean Ghruinneard) | Highland | 196 | 0 | 106 |
| Gunna (Gunnaigh) | Mull | 69 | 0 | 35 |
| Handa (Eilean Shannda) | Highland | 309 | 0 | 123 |
| Hascosay | Shetland | 275 | 0 | 30 |
| Hellisay (Theiliseigh) | Uists and Barra | 142 | 0 | 79 |
| Hermetray (Thearmatraigh) | Uists and Barra | 72 | 0 | 35 |
| Hildasay | Shetland | 108 | 0 | 32 |
| Hirta (Hiort) | St Kilda | 670 | 0 | 430 |
| Holm of Grimbister | Orkney | 16 | 3 | 8 |
| Holy Island (Eilean MoLaise) | Firth of Clyde | 253 | 31 | 314 |
| Horse Island | Summer Isles | 53 | 0 | 60 |
| Housay | Out Skerries | 163 | 50 | 53 |
| Hoy | Orkney | 13,458 | 419 | 481 |
| Hunda | Orkney | 100 | 0 | 41 |
| Inchcailloch (Innis nan Cailleach) (F) | Loch Lomond | 50 | 0 | 85 |
| Inchcolm (Innis Choluim) | Firth of Forth | 9 * | 0 ° | 34 |
| Inchfad (Innis Fhada) (F) | Loch Lomond | c.40 * | 1 | 24 |
| Inch Kenneth (Innis Choinnich) | Mull | 55 | 0 | 49 |
| Inchlonaig (F) | Loch Lomond | 80 | 0 | 62 |
| Inchmarnock (Innis Mheàrnaig) | Firth of Clyde | 266 | 0 | 60 |
| Inchmurrin (Innis Mheadhrain) (F) | Loch Lomond | 120 | 8 | 89 |
| Inchtavannach (Innis Taigh a' Mhanaich) (F) | Loch Lomond | 70 | 3 | 84 |
| Inner Holm | Orkney | 2 * | 1 | 7 |
| Innis Chonain (F) | Loch Awe | 8 * | 5 | 62 |
| Iona (Ì Chaluim Chille) | Mull | 877 | 177 | 100 |
| Isay (Ìosaigh) | Skye | 60 | 0 | 28 |
| Islay (Ìle) | Islay | 61,956 | 3,228 | 491 |
| Isle Martin (Eilean Mhàrtainn) | Summer Isles | 157 | 0 | 120 |
| Isle of Ewe (Eilean Iùbh) | Highland | 309 | 7 | 72 |
| Isle of May (Eilean Mhàigh) | Firth of Forth | 45 | 0 | 50 |
| Isle Ristol (Eilean Ruisteil) | Summer Isles | 225 * | 0 | 71 |
| Jura (Diùra) | Islay | 36,692 | 196 | 785 |
| Kerrera (Cearrara) | Firth of Lorne | 1,214 | 34 | 189 |
| Killegray (Ceileagraigh) | Lewis and Harris | 176 | 0 | 45 |
| Kirkibost (Eilean Chirceboist) | Uists and Barra | 205 | 0 | 7 |
| Lamba | Shetland | 43 | 0 | 35 |
| Lamb Holm | Orkney | 40 | 0 | 20 |
| Lewis and Harris (Leòdhas agus na Hearadh) | Lewis and Harris | 217,898 | 21,031 | 799 |
| Linga, Muckle Roe | Shetland | 70 | 0 | 69 |
| Linga, Yell | Shetland | 45 | 0 | 26 |
| Linga Holm | Orkney | 57 | 0 | 10 |
| Lismore (Lios Mòr) | Loch Linnhe | 2,351 | 192 | 127 |
| Little Bernera (Beàrnaraigh Beag) | Lewis and Harris | 138 | 0 | 41 |
| Little Colonsay (Colbhasa Beag) | Mull | 88 | 0 | 61 |
| Little Cumbrae (Cumaradh Beag) | Firth of Clyde | 313 | 0 | 123 |
| Longa Island (Longa) | Highland | 126 | 0 | 70 |
| Longay (Longaigh) | Skye | 50 | 0 | 67 |
| Luing (Luinn) | Slate Islands | 1,430 | 195 | 94 |
| Lunga | Slate Islands | 254 | 0 ° | 98 |
| Lunga | Treshnish Isles | 81 | 0 | 103 |
| Mainland, Orkney | Orkney | 52,325 | 17,162 | 271 |
| Mainland, Shetland | Shetland | 96,879 | 18,765 | 450 |
| Mingulay (Miughalaigh) | Uists and Barra | 640 | 0 | 273 |
| Moncreiffe Island (Eilean Mhon Craoibhe) (F) | River Tay | 46 * | 3 | 5 |
| Mousa | Shetland | 180 | 0 | 55 |
| Muck (Eilean nam Muc) | Small Isles | 559 | 27 | 137 |
| Muckle Roe | Shetland | 1,773 | 130 | 267 |
| Muldoanich (Maol Dòmhnaich) | Uists and Barra | 78 | 0 | 153 |
| Mull (Muile) | Mull | 87,535 | 2,800 | 966 |
| North Rona (Rònaigh) | Atlantic Outlier | 109 | 0 | 108 |
| North Ronaldsay | Orkney | 690 | 72 | 20 |
| North Uist (Uibhist a Tuath) | Uists and Barra | 30,305 | 1,254 | 347 |
| Isle of Noss | Shetland | 343 | 0 | 181 |
| Oldany Island | Highland | 200 * | 0 | 104 |
| Oronsay (Orasa) | Islay | 543 | 8 | 93 |
| Oronsay (Orasaigh) | Uists and Barra | 85 | 0 | 25 |
| Oronsay (Orasaigh) | Mull | 230 * | 0 | 58 |
| Oxna | Shetland | 68 | 0 | 38 |
| Pabay (Pabaigh) | Skye | 122 | 0 | 28 |
| Pabay Mòr (Pabaigh Mòr) | Lewis and Harris | 101 | 0 | 68 |
| Pabbay (Pabaigh) | Uists and Barra | 250 | 0 | 171 |
| Pabbay (Pabaigh) | Lewis and Harris | 820 | 0 | 196 |
| Papa | Shetland | 59 | 0 | 32 |
| Papa Little | Shetland | 226 | 0 | 82 |
| Papa Stour | Shetland | 828 | 15 | 87 |
| Papa Stronsay | Orkney | 74 | 0 ° | 13 |
| Papa Westray | Orkney | 918 | 90 | 48 |
| Priest Island (Eilean a' Chlèirich) | Summer Isles | 122 | 0 | 78 |
| Raasay (Ratharsair) | Skye | 6,405 | 161 | 443 |
| Ronay (Rònaigh) | Uists and Barra | 563 | 0 | 115 |
| Rousay | Orkney | 4,860 | 216 | 250 |
| Rùm | Small Isles | 10,463 | 22 | 812 |
| Samphrey | Shetland | 66 | 0 | 29 |
| Sanda Island (Àbhainn) | Firth of Clyde | 151 | 0 ° | 123 |
| Sanday (Sanndaigh) | Orkney | 5,043 | 494 | 65 |
| Sanday (Sanndaigh) | Small Isles | 184 | 9 | 59 |
| Sandray (Sanndraigh) | Uists and Barra | 385 | 0 | 207 |
| Scalpay (Sgalpaigh) | Skye | 2,483 | 2 | 392 |
| Scalpay (Sgalpaigh) | Lewis and Harris | 653 | 291 | 104 |
| Scarba (Sgarba) | Islay | 1,474 | 0 | 449 |
| Scarp (An Sgarp) | Lewis and Harris | 1,045 | 0 | 308 |
| Seaforth Island (Eilean Shìphoirt) | Lewis and Harris | 273 | 0 | 217 |
| Seil (Saoil) | Slate Islands | 1,329 | 551 | 146 |
| Sgeotasaigh | Lewis and Harris | 49 | 0 | 57 |
| Shapinsay | Orkney | 2,948 | 307 | 64 |
| Shillay (Siolaigh) | Lewis and Harris | 47 | 0 | 79 |
| Shuna (Siuna) | Slate Islands | 451 | 3 | 90 |
| Shuna (Siuna) | Loch Linnhe | 155 | 0 | 71 |
| Skye (An t-Eilean Sgitheanach) | Skye | 165,625 | 10,008 | 993 |
| Soay (Sòdhaigh) | Skye | 1,036 | 1 | 141 |
| Soay (Soaigh) | St Kilda | 99 | 0 | 378 |
| Soay Mòr (Sòdhaigh Mòr) | Lewis and Harris | 45 | 0 | 37 |
| South Havra | Shetland | 59 | 0 | 42 |
| South Rona (Rònaigh) | Skye | 930 | 3 | 125 |
| South Ronaldsay | Orkney | 4,980 | 909 | 118 |
| South Uist (Uibhist a Deas) | Uists and Barra | 32,026 | 1,754 | 620 |
| South Walls | Orkney | 1,100 | - | 57 |
| Stockinish Island (Eilean Stocainis) | Lewis and Harris | 49 | 0 | 44 |
| Stroma (Sròmaigh) | Highland | 375 | 0 | 53 |
| Stromay (Sròmaigh) | Uists and Barra | 66 | 0 | 16 |
| Stronsay | Orkney | 3,275 | 349 | 44 |
| Stuley (Stadhlaigh) | Uists and Barra | 45 | 0 | 40 |
| Switha | Orkney | 41 | 0 | 29 |
| Swona | Orkney | 92 | 0 | 41 |
| Tahay (Tathaigh) | Uists and Barra | 53 | 0 | 65 |
| Tanera Beag (Tannara Beag) | Summer Isles | 66 | 0 | 83 |
| Tanera Mòr (Tannara Mòr) | Summer Isles | 310 | 4 | 124 |
| Taransay (Tarasaigh) | Lewis and Harris | 1,475 | 0 | 267 |
| Texa | Islay | 48 | 0 | 48 |
| Tiree (Tiriodh) | Mull | 7,834 | 653 | 141 |
| Torsa | Slate Islands | 113 | 0 | 62 |
| Trondra | Shetland | 275 | 135 | 60 |
| Ulva (Ulbha) | Mull | 1,990 | 11 | 313 |
| Unst | Shetland | 12,068 | 632 | 284 |
| Uyea, Unst | Shetland | 205 | 0 | 50 |
| Vaila | Shetland | 327 | 2 | 95 |
| Vacsay (Bhacasaigh) | Lewis and Harris | 41 | 0 | 34 |
| Vallay (Bhàlaigh) | Uists and Barra | 260 | 0 | 38 |
| Vatersay (Bhatarsaigh) | Uists and Barra | 960 | 90 | 185 |
| Vementry | Shetland | 370 | 0 | 90 |
| West Burra | Shetland | 743 | 776 | 217 |
| West Linga | Shetland | 125 | 0 | 52 |
| Westray | Orkney | 4,713 | 588 | 169 |
| Whalsay | Shetland | 1,970 | 1,061 | 119 |
| Wiay (Fùidheigh) | Skye | 148 | 0 | 60 |
| Wiay (Fùidheigh) | Uists and Barra | 375 | 0 | 102 |
| Wyre | Orkney | 311 | 29 | 32 |
| Yell | Shetland | 21,211 | 966 | 205 |
Four islands had people living on them in 2011 but were not mentioned in the 2001 census. These were Eilean dà Mhèinn, Eilean Tioram, Holm of Grimbister, and Inner Holm.
The National Records of Scotland also lists other islands that are part of their "inhabited islands" geography. However, these islands had no regular residents in either the 2001 or 2011 censuses. None of them, except Lamb Holm, are larger than 40 hectares.
| Island | Location |
|---|---|
| Castle Stalker (Eilean an Stalcaire) | Firth of Lorn |
| Eilean Horrisdale (Eilean Thòrathasdail) | Gair Loch |
| Eilean Loain | Loch Sween |
| Eilean na Cille | Uists and Barra |
| Ensay | Lewis and Harris |
| Inch Kenneth (Innis Choinnich) | Mull |
| Inchlonaig (Innis Lònaig) (F) | Loch Lomond |
| Inchcruin (Innis Cruinn) (F) | Loch Lomond |
| Kisimul Castle (Caisteal Chiosmuil) | Uists and Barra |
| Lamb Holm | Orkney |
Freshwater Islands
Jan2000.jpg)
Scotland has many islands in its freshwater lochs. Some important ones include Lochindorb Castle Island, Loch Leven Castle Island, St Serf's Inch, and Inchmahome. All of these have played a big part in Scottish history.
Inchmurrin is the largest freshwater island in the British Isles. It is in Loch Lomond, which has over sixty other islands. Loch Maree also has several islands, with the biggest being Eilean Sùbhainn, Garbh Eilean, and Eilean Ruairidh Mòr.
Smaller Offshore Islands
This is a list of Scottish islands that are not lived on and are smaller than 40 hectares.
| Name | Island group / location |
|---|---|
| Bac Mòr | Inner Hebrides: Treshnish Isles |
| Bass Rock | Firth of Forth |
| Bayble Island | Outer Hebrides: Lewis and Harris |
| Bearasaigh | Outer Hebrides: Lewis: Loch Ròg |
| Belnahua | Inner Hebrides: Slate Islands |
| Bottle Island | Summer Isles |
| Brough of Birsay | Orkney |
| Bound Skerry | Shetland |
| Cairn na Burgh Beag | Inner Hebrides: Treshnish Isles |
| Cairn na Burgh Mòr | Inner Hebrides: Treshnish Isles |
| Calbha Beag | Sutherland: Edrachillis Bay |
| Calf of Flotta | Orkney |
| Calvay | Outer Hebrides: South Uist |
| Campaigh | Outer Hebrides: Lewis: Loch Ròg |
| Castle Island | Firth of Clyde |
| Clett | Highland |
| Corn Holm | Orkney |
| Craigleith | Firth of Forth |
| Craiglethy | Kincardineshire: Fowlsheugh |
| Cramond Island | Firth of Forth |
| Damsay | Orkney |
| Dore Holm | Shetland |
| Dubh Artach | Inner Hebrides |
| Dùn | St Kilda |
| Dùn Chonnuill | Inner Hebrides: Garvellachs |
| East Linga | Shetland |
| Eilean Chathastail | Inner Hebrides: Small Isles |
| Eilean Dubh | Firth of Clyde |
| Eilean Ighe | Inner Hebrides: Arisaig |
| Eilean Mhuire | Outer Hebrides: Shiant Islands |
| Eilean Mòr, Loch Dunvegan | Skye |
| Eyebroughy | Firth of Forth |
| Fidra | Firth of Forth |
| Fish Holm | Shetland |
| Fladda | Inner Hebrides: Slate Islands |
| Fladda | Treshnish Isles |
| Flodday near Vatersay | Outer Hebrides: Barra Islands |
| Fuaigh Beag (Vuia Beg) | Outer Hebrides: Lewis: Loch Ròg |
| Gasker | Outer Hebrides: Harris |
| Garbh Sgeir | Inner Hebrides: Small Isles |
| Gigalum Island | Inner Hebrides: Gigha |
| Gloup Holm | Shetland |
| Glunimore Island | Firth of Clyde |
| Grunay | Shetland: Out Skerries |
| Gruney | Shetland |
| Gualan | Outer Hebrides: Benbecula |
| Haaf Gruney | Shetland |
| Harlosh Island | Inner Hebrides: Skye |
| Haskeir | Outer Hebrides |
| Haskeir Eagach | Outer Hebrides |
| Hearnish | Outer Hebrides: Monach Islands |
| Helliar Holm | Orkney |
| Hestan Island | Solway Firth |
| Holm of Faray | Orkney |
| Holm of Huip | Orkney |
| Holm of Papa | Orkney |
| Holm of Scockness | Orkney |
| Horse Isle | Firth of Clyde |
| Huney | Shetland |
| Inchgarvie | Firth of Forth |
| Inchkeith | Firth of Forth |
| Inchmickery | Firth of Forth |
| Innis Mhòr | Easter Ross |
| Kili Holm | Orkney |
| Lady's Holm | Shetland |
| Lady Isle | Firth of Clyde |
| Lamb | Firth of Forth |
| Little Linga | Shetland |
| Little Roe | Shetland |
| Linga, Samphrey | Shetland |
| Lingeigh | Outer Hebrides: Barra Islands |
| Lunna Holm | Shetland |
| Maiden Island | Inner Hebrides: Oban Bay |
| Mingay | Inner Hebrides: Skye |
| Muckle Flugga | Shetland |
| Muckle Green Holm | Orkney |
| Muckle Skerry | Pentland Skerries |
| Mugdrum Island | Firth of Tay |
| Nave Island | Inner Hebrides: Islay |
| North Havra | Shetland |
| Oigh-Sgeir | Inner Hebrides |
| Orfasay | Shetland |
| Ornsay | Inner Hebrides: Skye |
| Orsay | Inner Hebrides: Islay |
| Out Stack | Shetland |
| Pladda | Firth of Clyde |
| Rockall | North Atlantic |
| Rough Island | Solway Firth |
| Rusk Holm | Orkney |
| Rysa Little | Orkney |
| Scaravay | Outer Hebrides: Sound of Harris |
| Sgat Mòr and Sgat Beag | Firth of Clyde |
| Sheep Island | Firth of Clyde |
| Sibhinis | Outer Hebrides: Monach Islands |
| Shillay | Outer Hebrides: Monach Islands |
| Soay Beag | Outer Hebrides: Harris |
| South Isle of Gletness | Shetland |
| St Ninian's Isle | Shetland |
| Stac an Armin | St Kilda |
| Stac Biorach | St Kilda |
| Stac Lee | St Kilda |
| Stac Levenish | St Kilda |
| Staffa | Inner Hebrides |
| Stockay | Outer Hebrides: Monach Islands |
| Stuley | Outer Hebrides: South Uist |
| Sula Sgeir | North Atlantic |
| Sule Skerry | North Atlantic |
| Sule Stack | North Atlantic |
| Sweyn Holm | Orkney |
| Tarner Island | Inner Hebrides: Skye |
| Texa | Inner Hebrides: Islay |
| Trialabreac | Outer Hebrides |
| Urie Lingey | Shetland |
| Uyea, Northmavine | Shetland |
| Uynarey | Shetland |
| Vacsay | Outer Hebrides: Lewis: Loch Ròg |
Small Island Groups
Some small groups of islands are more famous than the larger islands they contain. These include:
| Name | Island group / location |
|---|---|
| Ascrib Islands | Skye |
| Burnt Islands | Firth of Clyde |
| Crowlin Islands | Skye |
| Flannan Isles | Lewis and Harris |
| Islands of Fleet | Solway Firth (Wigtown Bay) |
| Garvellachs | Firth of Lorn |
| MacCormaig Islands | Islay |
| Monach Islands | Uists |
| Out Skerries | Shetland |
| Pentland Skerries | Orkney |
| Rabbit Islands (Eileanan nan Gall) | Highland (North Sutherland) |
| Ramna Stacks | Shetland |
| Scalloway Isles | Shetland |
| Shiant Islands | Lewis and Harris |
| Slate Islands | Firth of Lorn |
| St Kilda | Lewis and Harris |
| Summer Isles | Inner Hebrides |
| Treshnish Isles | Mull |
Islands Connected by Bridges
Many Scottish islands are linked to the mainland or other islands by bridges or causeways (raised roads over water). Even though they are connected, most people still think of them as islands.
Outer Hebrides Many islands in the southern Outer Hebrides are connected by causeways and bridges. These include:
- Baleshare
- Benbecula
- Berneray
- Eriskay
- Grimsay
- North Uist
- South Uist
- Vatersay, which is connected to Barra by the Vatersay Causeway.
To the north, Scalpay and Great Bernera are connected to Lewis and Harris.
Inner Hebrides
- Skye is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge. This bridge now includes Eilean Bàn.
- Eilean Donan is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
- Eriska is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
- Seil is connected to the mainland by John Stevenson's "Bridge over The Atlantic" from 1792.
- Danna is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
Orkney Islands
Four Orkney islands are connected to the Orkney Mainland by a series of causeways called the Churchill Barriers. They are:
- South Ronaldsay
- Burray
- Lamb Holm
- Glimps Holm
Hunda is also connected to Burray by a causeway.
South Walls and Hoy are connected by a causeway called the Ayre. The UK census counts these two islands as one (Hoy).
There have been talks about building an undersea tunnel between Orkney and Caithness, about 9-10 miles long. There's also been talk of a tunnel connecting Orkney Mainland to Shapinsay, but not much has happened with these ideas.
Shetland Islands Several Shetland islands are connected to the Shetland Mainland:
- West Burra and East Burra (through Trondra)
- Muckle Roe
- Trondra
- Broch of Clickimin is a freshwater island connected to the mainland by a stone causeway.
- Holm of Mel was a tidal island. It was linked to the west coast of Bressay at low tide. Now, it's permanently connected by a 75-metre stone causeway.
There is also a bridge from Housay to Bruray.
Other Connected Islands Various other islands are also connected by bridges or causeways to the mainland or other islands. These include:
- Inchgarvie (part of the Forth Bridge). This island is connected to both Fife and Lothian on the mainland.
- Garbh Eilean is now connected to the mainland by the Kylesku Bridge and its roads.
- Innis Chonan, an island in Loch Awe where people live, is connected to the mainland by a small road bridge.
- Moncreiffe Island is connected to the mainland by the Tay Viaduct.
Tidal Islands and Tombolos
Scotland has many small tidal islands. These islands can be reached by foot at low tide. Some of the more famous ones are:
- Baleshare
- Bernera
- Calve Island
- Castle Island
- Corn Holm
- Cramond Island
- Island Davaar
- Dunnicaer
- Eilean Mhic Chrion
- Eilean Shona
- Eriska
- Erraid
- Helliar Holm
- Kili Holm
- Isle Ristol
- Sanday
- Torsa
The name Oronsay means "ebb island." There are several tidal islands with this name.
The three main islands of the Monach Islands (Heisgeir) – Ceann Iar, Ceann Ear, and Shivinish – are connected at low tide. People say that long ago, you could even walk all the way to Baleshare, and then to North Uist, which is 5 miles away, at low tide. In the 1500s, a big tidal wave was said to have washed this path away.
St Ninian's Isle is connected to Mainland Shetland by a tombolo. A tombolo is a narrow strip of land that connects an island to the mainland. Even though it's larger than 40 hectares, it's not considered an island by the definition used here. This is because it's only surrounded by water during very high tides and storms.
Dùn in St Kilda is separated from Hirta by a shallow channel about 50 metres wide. This channel is usually too deep to cross, but it is said to dry out on rare occasions.
Complex Islands
Some offshore islands are hard to classify easily.
- Ceallasaigh Mòr and Ceallasaigh Beag are islands in Loch Maddy, North Uist. They are both about 50 hectares at high tide. At low tide, they connect to each other and to several other small tidal islands in the shallow area around them.
- Eileanan Iasgaich in Loch Boisdale, South Uist, is made up of five small islands and other tiny islets at high tide. But at low tide, they all join together to form one large island of 50 hectares.
- Eileanan Chearabhaigh. At low tide, these islands form a peninsula of 49 hectares, connected to Benbecula by dry sand. At high tide, the connection to Benbecula disappears, and many small islands appear, stretching over 2 kilometres from east to west. The largest of these is about 30 hectares.
- The Crowlin Islands, in the Inner Sound off Raasay, are three separate islands at high tide. But at low tide, they become one single island of 270 hectares.
- Similarly, Lunga in the Firth of Lorn is six or more separate islands at high tide. At low tide, it becomes one island of 254 hectares.
Castle Islands
Several small Scottish islands are famous for having a castle or other old fort on them. The castle is often more well-known than the island itself. These islands are often tidal or connected by a bridge. Because they are so beautiful, some are famous from postcards and movies. Examples include:
- Bass Rock
- Broch of West Burrafirth
- Castle Island
- Calvay
- Castle Stalker
- Castle Tioram
- Eilean Aigas (F)
- Eilean Dearg, Loch Riddon
- Eilean Donan
- Inchtalla (F)
- Inveruglas Isle (F)
- Kilchurn Castle (F)
- Kisimul Castle
- Lochindorb Castle (F)
- Loch Leven Castle (F)
- Mousa
- Threave Castle (F)
- Wyre
Many of the Islands of the Forth and southern Orkney Islands have forts from the two world wars. Rosyth Castle stands on what used to be an island.
Holy Islands
Many Scottish islands have a connection to old churches or religious sites. Some are even named after saints. The more famous ones include:
- Island Davaar
- Egilsay
- Eynhallow
- Holy Island
- Inchcolm
- Inch Kenneth
- Inchmahome (F)
- Iona
- Isle Maree
- North Rona
- Oronsay
- Papa Stronsay (which has a modern monastery). Islands named "Papa" or "Pabbay" often used to be islands connected to saints.
- St Ninian's Isle
- St Serf's Inch (F)
- Tiree ("land of Iona")
The name of Brother Isle does not come from a church connection, as is sometimes thought.
Islands Named After People
This list includes islands that are known to be named after a person. Sometimes, like with North Ronaldsay, it's not obvious (it's not named after a "Ronald"). This list doesn't include names where the person is from myths, or where the person isn't known, or where the name's origin is debated.
- Eilean Chaluim Chille - named after Saint Columba
- Island Davaar - named after Saint Barr
- Eilean Donan - named after Saint Donan
- Flannan Isles - named after Saint Flannan
- Frank Lockwood's Island (south of Lochbuie, Mull)
- Inchcolm - named after Saint Columba
- Inch Kenneth - named after Saint Kenneth
- Inchmarnock - named after Saint Mearnag
- Inchmahome (F) - named after Saint Colmag
- Inchmurrin (F) - named after Saint Meadhran/Mirin
- Innis Chonain (F) - named after Saint Conan
- Isle Maree (F) - named after Maelrubha
- Isle Martin - named after Saint Martin
- North Rona - named after Saint Ronan
- St Serf's Inch (F) - named after Saint Serf
- Sweyn Holm – named after Sweyn Asleifsson
- Taransay - named after Saint Taran
Iqbal Singh, who owns Vacsay, has said he would like to rename it after the poet Robert Burns.
Places Called "Island" That Are Not Islands
Some places in Scotland have "isle" or "island" in their name but are not actually islands.
| Name | Island group / location | It actually is |
|---|---|---|
| Barmore Island | Knapdale | part of mainland |
| Black Isle (An t-Eilean Dubh) | Ross and Cromarty | peninsula |
| Burntisland | Fife | part of mainland |
| Eilean na h-Eaglaise | Torsa | peninsula |
| Eilean Garbh | Gigha | a peninsula of Gigha |
| Isle of Fethaland | Shetland | place on mainland of Shetland |
| Gluss Isle | Shetland | joined to mainland of Shetland |
| Isle of Harris (Na Hearadh) | Outer Hebrides | part of an island |
| Isle of Lewis (Eilean Leòdhais) | Outer Hebrides | part of an island |
| Isleornsay (Eilean Iarmain) | Skye | place on Skye |
| Islesteps (south of Dumfries) | Dumfries and Galloway | inland place in Scotland |
| Isle of Whithorn | Dumfries and Galloway | place on coast of Scotland |
Lewis and Harris are separated by hills but are actually one island. They are sometimes called "Lewis and Harris". Isle of Whithorn and the Black Isle are peninsulas (land surrounded by water on three sides). Isleornsay is a village on Skye that looks out at the island of Ornsay. No one is sure why "Burntisland" has its name, as it had many different spellings in the past.
Gluss Isle, at the western entrance to Sullom Voe, is a headland connected to the larger Shetland mainland by a strip of land called an ayre.
Other Place Name Meanings
The name "Inch" (Innis) can mean island, like in Inchkenneth or Inchcolm. But it can also mean dry land surrounded by marsh, like in Markinch.
Eilean is the Gaelic word for "island." However, some places with "Eilean" in their name, like Inistrynich and Eilean na Maodail on Loch Awe, are actually headlands, not islands. The Black Isle is also called An t-Eilean Dubh in Gaelic, meaning "the black island," even though it's a peninsula.
The ending "-holm" is also common in place names on the Scottish mainland, especially in the south, like Langholm. Some of these places used to be river islands or dry land in marshy areas. "Holm" is also part of Holmsgarth, a part of Lerwick, and the Parish of Holm on Mainland Shetland and Mainland Orkney. None of these are islands themselves.
Islands Named After Mainland Areas
Sometimes, an island might be named after a nearby place on the mainland or a larger island, or vice versa. For example, Vementry was originally the name of an island, but its name was later used for a nearby farm on Mainland Shetland. Oldany Island is named after the nearby place Oldany. Cramond Island is named after the nearby area of Cramond in Edinburgh. And Eilean Mhealasta in the Outer Hebrides is named after Mealista on Lewis.
The name Easdale seems to combine eas (Gaelic for "waterfall") and dal (Norse for "valley"). But it's not clear why these words would describe this small, flat island with no waterfalls. The name might have come from the nearby village of the same name on Seil.
Sea Stacks
Scotland has about 275 sea stacks, which are tall, thin rock formations standing in the sea. About 110 of these are around the coasts of Shetland. The tallest are Stac an Armin and Stac Lee in St Kilda. In July 1967, 15 million people watched the climbing of the Old Man of Hoy live on BBC television. However, many of the more remote stacks, especially in Shetland, have never been climbed by people.
Crannogs
Crannogs are artificial islands built in lochs long ago, before recorded history. There are hundreds of these sites in Scotland. Today, crannogs usually look like small, round islands, between 10 and 30 metres (30–100 feet) across. Scottish crannogs include:
- Breachacha on Coll
- Cherry Island in Loch Ness
- Dùn Anlaimh on Coll
- Eilean Dòmhnuill on North Uist
- Keppinch (or The Kitchen) in Loch Lomond
Images for kids
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Ruined church buildings can still be seen on Eilean Chaluim Chille, near Kilmuir, Skye.
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See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Islas de Escocia para niños
- British Isles
- Geography of Scotland
- List of the British Isles by area
- List of lochs on Scottish islands
- List of Marilyns on Scottish islands
- List of Munros on Skye and Mull
- List of Orkney islands
- List of Outer Hebrides
- List of Shetland islands
- Scottish island names
