Tahay

Tahay (Scottish Gaelic: Taghaigh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The name originates from the Old Norse tagg-øy meaning island with a prominent hill. At 53 hectares (130 acres) in area and with a central peak of 65 metres (213 ft), it is the largest of the group of uninhabited islands off the north east coast of North Uist.

Tahay
Scottish Gaelic nameTaghaigh
Old Norse nameTagg-øy
Meaning of nameisland with a prominent hill
Location
Tahay
Tahay shown within the Outer Hebrides
OS grid referenceNF965755
Coordinates57.67°N 7.09°W / 57.67; -7.09
Physical geography
Island groupUists & Barra
Area53 ha (130 acres)
Area rank196= [1]
Highest elevation65 m (213 ft)
Administration
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Council areaNa h-Eileanan Siar
Demographics
Population0
References[2][3][4]

The island is used for sheep grazing and peat cutting.

History

In 1846, six families who had been evicted from their homes on Pabbay to make way for sheep, moved to the previously uninhabited island of Tahay. Although the island has no arable land, they hoped to make a living from fishing. However this proved too hard and they gave up the struggle in the 1850s and emigrated to Australia.[5]

Tahay is owned by the Scottish Government.

References
  1. Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
  3. Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  4. Ordnance Survey
  5. "Overview of Tahay". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2008-10-04.


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