Pabaigh Mòr facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Pabaigh Mòr |
|---|---|
| Norse name | pap-øy |
| Meaning of name | island of the priest |
| OS grid reference | NB100380 |
| Coordinates | 58°14′N 6°56′W / 58.23°N 6.94°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Lewis and Harris |
| Area | 101 hectares (0.39 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 148 |
| Highest elevation | Beinn Mhòr 68 metres (223 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Pabay Mòr or Pabaigh Mòr is a small, uninhabited island in Scotland. It's part of the Outer Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast. Even though no one lives there today, it has a long and interesting history!
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Island History and Its Name
The name "Pabay Mòr" comes from an old Norse word, papey. This means "Island of the Priest". Long ago, priests called papar or culdees might have lived here.
You can still find the remains of an old church, St Peter's Church, and a burial ground on the island. These are located near a small lake called Loch na Teampall, which means "temple loch". Close by is Cnoc na Cille, or "hill of the monk's cell". This shows that the island was once an important religious place.
For a long time, the island was connected to Clan MacLeod, a powerful Scottish family.
Life on the Island and the Clearances
In 1800, a soldier named Sergeant Evander MacIver was given Pabay Mòr. This was his retirement gift instead of a pension. However, about 27 years later, his family faced a difficult time during the Highland Clearances. This was a period when many people in the Scottish Highlands and islands were forced to leave their homes to make way for sheep farming. Evander's family had to move, and their descendants can now be found in a nearby area called Valtos on the island of Lewis. Some people even say that the person who started the famous Cunard shipping company was related to this family!
During World War I, it's thought that a German U-boat (a type of submarine) secretly landed on Pabay Mòr. Boxes of supplies were found later, suggesting the submarine crew had unloaded them there.
Today, the current owner of the island has fixed up a few old stone houses called blackhouses. However, the island is usually empty. Farmers from Valtos still have the right to let their animals graze on the island's land.
Island Geography and Features
Pabay Mòr is located off the west coast of Lewis, which is a larger island. It sits in a body of water called West Loch Roag, just north of another island named Vacsay.
The island's rocks are made of a very old type of rock called Lewisian gneiss. The soil on the island is light. Pabay Mòr also has several interesting natural features. These include caves, sea spouts (where water shoots up from the sea), and natural arches formed by the ocean. To the north, a smaller island called Pabay Beag is separated from Pabay Mòr by a calm pool of water.
Images for kids
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Old lobster lagoon
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Lagoon on Pabbay Mor
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Blackhouse ruins on Pabbay
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Beach on Pabbay Mor
