Pabay Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Pabay
Physical geography
Gaelic name	Pabaigh
Norse name	Papey
Meaning of name	Island of the papar
OS grid reference	NG674271
Coordinates	57°17′N 5°52′W / 57.28°N 5.86°W / 57.28; -5.86
Island group	Isle of Skye
Area	122 ha (1⁄2 sq mi)
Area rank	136
Highest elevation	28 m (92 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Highland
Demographics
Population	0

Pabay is a small Scottish island. It is located just off the coast of Skye. The name Pabay comes from an old Norse word. It means "priest's isle." You can still find the remains of a chapel from the 13th century there.

Geography of Pabay
History of Pabay
Flora and Fauna on Pabay
Art Inspired by Pabay
Pabay Stamps
Images for kids
See also

Geography of Pabay

Pabay is an island in the Inner Sound near Skye. It lies about 2.5 miles (4 km) north of Broadford. To its south is Longay, and to its east is the larger island of Scalpay.

Pabay is a low, grassy island. It covers about 360 acres (146 hectares). The island is shaped like a diamond and is mostly flat. Its highest point is 28 meters (92 feet) above sea level. There are cliffs along the northern and eastern shores.

The island is made of limestone that contains fossils. There is also some shale rock, called Pabba Shale. This rock forms a flat area with cliffs. At low tide, the surrounding reefs make the island seem twice as big.

Pabay gives its name to a group of Jurassic rocks. These rocks are found across the Inner Hebrides. They formed about 190 million years ago. This was when mud settled at the bottom of an ancient sea. Much later, about 60 million years ago, hot molten rock pushed its way into cracks in the island. This happened when the Atlantic Ocean began to open up. These hardened rock formations now protect the island from erosion.

History of Pabay

People have lived on Pabay for a very long time. Evidence like old waste piles and stone tools shows this. These items suggest people were here as far back as the Mesolithic period. However, there is not much proof of people living here between then and the 1500s. Maps and charts began to show the island from the 16th century onwards. The Dutch mapmaker Willem Blaeu first named it on his map in 1654.

In 1549, Dean Monro described Pabay. He said it was about one mile long and full of woods. He also noted it was good for fishing. He mentioned it was a hiding place for "thieves and cut-throats." The island belonged to the Clan Mackinnon at that time.

In the 18th century, Scottish writer Martin Martin wrote about Pabay. He said the island was about two miles around. He noted it had excellent pasture for cows. He also mentioned a large fly that bothered cows in summer. Because of this, cows had to be moved to Skye. The island also had many lobsters, limpets, and crabs.

Hugh Miller, a writer from the Victorian era, described Pabay. He called it "the only piece of flat, level England in the entire landscape" of Skye.

There are ruins of an old chapel on the island. We do not know which saint the church was for. Only the foundations remain. The chapel was about 21 feet (6.4 meters) long. It is hard to tell where the old burying-ground ended. It seems to have included two other buildings. One of these is a strange semicircular structure. It is made of large, rough stones without cement. This structure is about 9 feet (2.7 meters) from north to south. It is 6 feet (1.8 meters) from east to west. Local people call it the "Altar." No one knows if it was for Christian or Pagan worship.

Today, there is one farm on the west side of the island. This farm has been there since at least the 1860s. The island's jetty, a small pier, was built by 1904. It is at the southwest corner of the island. Boats can also anchor near this point. An old map from 1882 shows some buildings near the jetty. A sheep pen is now in that spot.

Flora and Fauna on Pabay

Pabay has many different types of plants and animals. It has heathland, dry grasslands, and marshy areas. There are also small areas of woodland. About 75 acres (30 hectares) of new trees have been planted. These include 17 different kinds of trees.

You can find 32 different types of wild flowers on Pabay. There are also 49 different herbs. The island has 40 different types of grasses, sedges, ferns, and rushes.

Many animals live on Pabay. There are otters and seals. You can also find 32 different kinds of birds that breed here. Another 72 types of birds visit the island. Pabay also has a large population of rabbits. A smaller number of shrews live there too.