Oronsay, Outer Hebrides facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Orasaigh |
|---|---|
| Norse name | Örfirirsey |
| Meaning of name | tidal or ebb island |
 Oronsay |
|
| OS grid reference | NF845755 |
| Coordinates | 57°40′N 7°17′W / 57.66°N 7.29°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Uist and Barra |
| Area | 85 ha (0.33 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 157= |
| Highest elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Oronsay (which means Orasaigh in Scottish Gaelic) is a small, special island located off the coast of North Uist. North Uist is part of the Outer Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland. Oronsay is known as a tidal island, which means you can sometimes walk to it from North Uist when the tide is low.
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Exploring Oronsay Island
Oronsay is a really interesting place, even though no one lives there anymore. It's a quiet island that offers a glimpse into the past.
Where is Oronsay Located?
Oronsay is found in the Outer Hebrides, a beautiful chain of islands in Scotland. It sits just north of a sandy area called Vallaquie Strand, which connects it to North Uist at low tide. The island is part of the Uist and Barra island group. The local government for this area is called Na h-Eileanan Siar.
What is a Tidal Island?
A tidal island is a piece of land that is connected to a larger island or mainland by a causeway or sandbar. This connection only appears when the tide is out (low tide). When the tide comes in (high tide), the connection gets covered by water, and the island becomes completely surrounded by the sea. This makes Oronsay a unique place to visit, but you have to check the tide times carefully!
How Big is Oronsay?
Oronsay is not a very large island. It covers an area of about 85 hectares, which is roughly the size of 150 football fields. The highest point on the island is only about 25 meters (or 82 feet) above sea level. This means it's quite flat compared to many other islands.
Why is Oronsay Uninhabited?
Today, Oronsay has no people living on it. It has been empty since a sad time in Scottish history called the Highland Clearances. During the Clearances, many people living in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland were forced to leave their homes. This happened in the 18th and 19th centuries, as landowners wanted to use the land for sheep farming instead of small farms. Because of this, Oronsay, like many other places, became uninhabited.
