Sanday, Inner Hebrides facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Sandaigh |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | NG282043 |
| Coordinates | 57°03′N 6°29′W / 57.05°N 6.49°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Small Isles |
| Area | 184 ha (0.71 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 114 |
| Highest elevation | 59 m (194 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Highland |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 9 |
| Population density | 5 people/km2 |
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Sanday (pronounced San-day) is a small, beautiful island in Scotland. It's one of the Small Isles, located in the Inner Hebrides. Sanday is special because it's a "tidal island." This means it's connected to its bigger neighbor, Canna, by sandbanks when the tide is low. There's also a bridge that links the two islands, making it easy to go back and forth. Canna and Sanday are like one big community, often just called Canna.
Like Canna, the entire island of Sanday is owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). This organization helps protect important places in Scotland. Sanday is also part of the Lochaber area, which is managed by the Highland Council. While Canna is mostly run as one large farm, parts of Sanday are used for "crofting." Crofting is a special type of small-scale farming common in Scotland, where people live and work on small plots of land.
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Connecting Sanday and Canna
A small primary school on Sanday used to serve children from both islands. It is currently closed. To make sure students from Canna could always reach the school, a footbridge was built in 1905. This bridge allowed them to cross even when the tide was high.
The New Bridge
Sadly, a big storm destroyed the old footbridge in 2005. But a new, stronger road bridge was finished in April 2006. This new bridge lets cars and other vehicles travel between Sanday and Canna at any time, no matter the tide. A new road was also completed in 2018, which means the road on Sanday is no longer covered by water during high tides.
Getting to Sanday Island
You can reach Sanday from the Scottish mainland by taking a ferry. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry system operates from the port of Mallaig. It's a great way to see the beautiful coastal scenery.
Sanday's Ancient Rocks
The rocks on Sanday are very old! Geologists, who study rocks and the Earth, say they are part of the Paleocene and Eocene periods. These are some of the youngest rocks found in Scotland, but they are still millions of years old. They are part of a larger area called the British Tertiary Volcanic Province, which means they were formed by ancient volcanoes.
Special Buildings on Sanday
The biggest and most noticeable building on Sanday is the old Catholic church of St Edward. It stands by itself on a high part of the island. It's a bit away from the small houses and the school, which are grouped around the bay facing Canna.
St Edward's Church Today
This church is also owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It was fixed up and turned into a hostel and a Study Centre by a group called the Hebridean Trust. This project was done to help preserve the building and make it useful again. The centre is connected to an important collection of Gaelic language and culture. This collection was put together by John Lorne Campbell, who used to own Canna and Sanday. The centre officially opened in 2001.
Wildlife on Sanday
Sanday is a great place for nature lovers! The island is home to many different kinds of wildlife. You might spot amazing seabirds like puffins, which have colorful beaks. You could also see great skuas, which are large, powerful birds, and Manx shearwaters, known for gliding low over the waves.
Images for kids
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Sheep grazing on Sanday
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The lighthouse on Sanday
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A view of Cnoc Ghreannabric, a hill on Sanday
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A cave found on Sanday's southern coast
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A sandy beach near the road bridge connecting Sanday and Canna
