Sursaigh facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Sursaigh |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Possibly Old Norse for 'sour island'. |
| OS grid reference | NF957760 |
| Coordinates | 57°40′23″N 7°06′18″W / 57.673°N 7.105°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Uists and Barra |
| Area | 30 ha (74 acres) |
| Area rank | 247 |
| Highest elevation | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 |
|
Sursaigh (Scottish Gaelic: Sursaigh) is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of North Uist in Scotland. It sits in a watery area called the Sound of Harris. This island is known for its quiet beauty and a mysterious old story.
Contents
Exploring Sursaigh: A Scottish Island
Sursaigh is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) northeast of a village called Lochmaddy. It is surrounded by many other small islands. Some of these nearby islands include Stromay, Sgarabhaigh, and Tahay.
What is Sursaigh Like?
The island of Sursaigh is quite small, covering about 30 hectares (74 acres). Its highest point is only 27 meters (89 feet) above sea level. The land on Sursaigh has areas covered by deposits left behind by ancient glaciers. These are like rocky and sandy patches from a time when ice covered much of the land.
The Mystery of the One-Night Hut
On the southern side of Sursaigh, you can find the ruins of an old hut. It is called Airigh na h-Aon Oidhche, which means "one-night shieling" in Scottish Gaelic. A shieling was a simple hut used by shepherds or farmers who stayed on the land for a short time, often in summer, to look after their animals.
The Shepherd's Strange Tale
There is a famous story about this hut from the late 1800s. A shepherd was staying there one night, looking after his sheep. He was suddenly woken up by the loud cries of gulls and the frightened barks of his dog.
When he rushed outside, he saw something very unusual in the sky. He described it as "an enormous cartwheel" that was making a strange noise. The shepherd was so scared by what he saw that he immediately left the island. The story says he was so frightened that he never returned to Sursaigh again.
This old tale adds a touch of mystery to the quiet, uninhabited island of Sursaigh.
