| Handa, Scotland | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
  Handa, Scotland
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| Handa, Scotland shown within Scotland. | |
| OS grid reference: | NC138480 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name: | Eilean Shannda |
| Norse name: | Sandey |
| Meaning of name: | sandy island |
| Area and Summit | |
| Area: | 309 ha |
| Area rank (Scottish islands): | 88= |
| Highest elevation: | Sithean Mòr 123 m |
| Population | |
| Population (2001): | 0
|
| Groupings | |
| Island Group: | Inner Hebrides/Islands of Sutherland |
| Local Authority: | |
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| References: | [1][2][3] |
Handa (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Shannda) is an island off the west coast of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age Scotland covers an area of 78782 km² or 30341 mi², giving it a Population density of. The Inner Hebrides ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a-staigh - the inner isles is an Archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as A stack is a geological Landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast The mountain Quinag (808 m ( Scottish Gaelic: A’ Chuineag, ə xɯɲag̊ in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands is in fact a mountain Scourie ( Scottish Gaelic Sgobharaidh, historically spelled "Scoury" is a village on the north-west coast of Scotland, about halfway Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant Sutherland (In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas Dùthaich 'Ic Aoidh (NW Asainte (Assynt and Cataibh (East The Highland Council area ( Sgìre Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd in Gaelic, s̪g̊ʲiːɾʲə kɔ Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It is 309 ha and 123 m at its highest point.
A small Ferry sails to Handa from Tarbet on the mainland and boat trips operate to it from Fanagmore. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Fanagmore is a tiny hamlet in Sutherland, Highland, in far northwestern Scotland.
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Geography and geology
The island is composed of Torridonian red sandstone[2] and surrounded by cliffs covered with birds. In Geography and Geology, a cliff is a significant vertical or near vertical rock exposure
In the north is a hill with two peaks, with the south and east being lower lying. The north and west have 100m high cliffs, and there are beaches in the south and east.
Smaller islands around Handa include Glas-Leac to the south, Eilean an Aigeach to the north east and Stac an t-Sealbhaig to the north.
The Sound of Handa separates it from the mainland.
History
The island's name is Norse in origin.
Anciently the island was used as a burial place, and there are still the remains of a chapel in the south east, commemorated in the name Tràigh an Teampaill (Beach of the Temple).
It had a population of 65 in 1841, but in 1848 potato famine forced the inhabitants to emigrate. Year 1848 ( MDCCCXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap The Highland Potato Famine was a Food crisis caused by Potato blight that struck the Scottish Highlands causing over 1 In some ways this is surprising, since it is recorded that the islanders had a fairly varied diet including oats, fish and seabirds, rather than depending heavily on a potato crop. The islanders had a parliament, similar to that of St Kilda, which met daily, and the oldest widow on the island was considered its "Queen". St Kilda (Hiort is an isolated Archipelago 64 kilometres (40 mi west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. [2]
It is now part of the Scourie Estate, owned by Dr Jean Balfour and J. C. Balfour[4] and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust with a population of just one warden during the summer months. The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT is a registered charity dedicated to conserving the wildlife and natural environment of Scotland.
Wildlife
Handa is noted for its birdlife, which includes puffins, razorbills and guillemots. The Atlantic Puffin ( la Fratercula arctica) is a Seabird Species in the Auk family. The Razorbill, Alca torda, is a large Auk, 38-43 cm in length with a 60-69 cm wingspan The Common Guillemot or Common Murre ( Uria aalge) is a large Auk.
The island is an SSSI, and was leased to the RSPB originally for 25 years. A Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a Conservation designation denoting a Protected area in the United Kingdom. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB) is a British Charitable organisation which works to promote conservation and protection However the Balfours did not renew the lease, because they wished a Scottish based body to run the island; as a result the Scottish Wildlife Trust took it over. The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT is a registered charity dedicated to conserving the wildlife and natural environment of Scotland. Despite being a reserve, the island receives some 5000 visitors per annum. [2]
Footnotes
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ a b c d Haswell-Smith, Hamish. This is a list of the Islands of Scotland, the mainland of which is part of the island of Great Britain. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
- ^ Ordnance Survey
- ^ Scourie Estate. Who Owns Scotland. Retrieved on 2007-11-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare
External links
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