Pabbay, Harris facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Pabaigh |
|---|---|
| Norse name | Papey |
| Meaning of name | Island of the papar |
| OS grid reference | NF888876 |
| Coordinates | 57°46′N 7°14′W / 57.77°N 07.23°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Uists and Barra |
| Area | 820 ha (3+1⁄8 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 60 |
| Highest elevation | Beinn a' Chàrnain, 196 m (643 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Pabbay (called Pabaigh in Scottish Gaelic) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is an uninhabited island, meaning no one lives there today. Pabbay is located in the Sound of Harris, which is a narrow body of water. It lies between the larger islands of Harris and North Uist.
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The Name Pabbay
The name Pabbay comes from an old Norse word, Papey. This means "Island of the papar". The papar were a group of early Christian monks. They came from Ireland and Scotland and settled on many islands.
History of Pabbay
Long ago, Pabbay was a very fertile island. This means its land was good for growing crops. Many people lived there, sometimes over a hundred. The islanders grew crops like corn and barley. They also made their own homemade whisky. They even sold these goods to other places.
Many of the people who managed the island of St. Kilda came from Pabbay. St. Kilda is another famous Scottish island.
The Highland Clearances
In 1846, Pabbay was affected by the Highland Clearances. This was a sad time in Scottish history. Landowners forced many people to leave their homes. They wanted to use the land for sheep farming instead. Because of this, the people of Pabbay had to move away. The island has been empty ever since.
Clan Morrison Connection
Pabbay is also known as a traditional home for Clan Morrison. A clan is a group of families with a shared history. The Morrison clan has strong ties to this area.
Protecting Pabbay's Beauty
Pabbay is part of a special area called the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area. Scotland has 40 such areas. These places are chosen because they have amazing natural beauty. Being a National Scenic Area helps protect Pabbay. It makes sure the island's beautiful scenery is kept safe. This prevents buildings or other things that might spoil its natural look.
