Flannan Isles
Na h-Eileanan Siar | |
---|---|
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
Largest settlement | Flannan Isles Lighthouse is the only habitable structure |
References | [3][4] |
The Flannan Isles (
The islands have been devoid of permanent residents since the automation of Flannan Isles Lighthouse in 1971.[6]
Geography
The islands are split into three groups: the main cluster of rocks that lie to the northeast include the two principal islands of Eilean Mòr (Big Isle), which is approximately 17.5 hectares (43 acres) in extent,[4] and Eilean Taighe (House Isle). To the south lie Soray/Soraigh (Old Norse Suðurey, south island or Sauðurey, sheep's island) and Sgeir Tomain (probably from Old Norse sker, skerry, shallow rock in sea, and Gaelic tuaman, grave or mound);[7] while the main western outcrops are Eilean a' Ghobha (Isle of the Blacksmith), Roaireim (which has a natural rock arch), and Bròna Cleit (Sad Sunk Rock). The total land area amounts to approximately 50 hectares (125 acres) and the highest point is 88 metres (289 ft) above sea level on Eilean Mòr.[4]
The geology consists of a dark
There are two possible landing places for yachts visiting Eilean Mòr to the east and west, although this may be hazardous given the regular heavy swells.[4]
History
As the name implies, Eilean Taighe hosts a ruined stone shelter. Eilean Mòr is home to the lighthouse and a ruined
It is not entirely clear to which St Flannan the chapel pays honours. It is likely that the honoree was either the 7th-century Abbot of
The archipelago is also known as The Seven Hunters. During the Middle Ages, they also may have been called the Seven Haley (Holy) Isles.[12] Martin Martin (1703) lists a number of unusual customs associated with regular pilgrimages to Eilean Mòr, such as removing one's hat and making a sunwise turn when reaching the plateau.[13]
Wildlife
The isles provide nesting for a population of
The islands became a Site of Special Scientific Interest in December 1983.[15]
Lighthouse crew disappearance
In December 1900, all three lighthouse keepers vanished in mysterious circumstances. An official inquiry concluded that the three men had probably been swept away and lost at sea in rough weather while attending some equipment near the cliff edge.[16]
In fiction
The Flannan Isles are the main setting in
The Vanishing, a 2019 film starring Gerard Butler and Peter Mullan, is set on the isles and inspired by the infamous disappearances.
The Flannan Isles feature as one of the locations in ‘Never Let Me Down Again’, a novel by Mark Dawson which is one of his series of John Milton novels.
See also
References
- McCloskey, Keith. (1 July 2014) "The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers", Stroud, the History Press.ISBN 978-0750953658
- Elliott, Angela J (1 April 2005)"Some Strange Scent of Death", Dunbeath, Whittles Publishing. ISBN 978-1904445159
- Bathhurst, Bella. (2000) The Lighthouse Stevensons. London. Flamingo. ISBN 0-00-653076-1
- Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- Harvie-Brown, J. A. & Buckley, T. E. (1889), A Vertebrate Fauna of the Outer Hebrides. Edinburgh. David Douglas.
- Martin, Martin (1703) A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland including A Voyage to St. Kilda Retrieved 8 October 2008.
- Murray, W.H.(1973) The Islands of Western Scotland. London. Eyre Methuen. SBN 413303802
- Munro, R.W. (1979) Scottish Lighthouses. Stornoway. Thule Press. ISBN 0-906191-32-7
- Nicholson, Christopher. (1995) Rock Lighthouses of Britain: The End of an Era? Caithness. Whittles. ISBN 1-870325-41-9
- Perrot, D. et al. (1995) The Outer Hebrides Handbook and Guide. Machynlleth. Kittiwake. ISBN 0-9511003-5-1
Notes
- ^ "SPA description:Flannan Isles". JNCC. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- 2011 census.
- ^ General Register Office for Scotland (28 November 2003) Scotland's Census 2001 – Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ^ Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) Ainmean-àite/Placenames. (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ Nicholson (1995) pp. 168–79.
- ^ "Dictionarium scoto-celticum > Volume II". National Library of Scotland. p. 235. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1889) facing p. XXIV
- ^ Murray (1973) pp. 68–69.
- ^ "Flannan Isles Lighthouse" Archived 2014-12-26 at the Wayback Machine, Northern Lighthouse Board website; retrieved 23 March 2008.
- ^ a b c "Western Isles Guide Book: Flannan Islands Archived 2004-06-17 at the Wayback Machine. Charles Tait photographic Ltd. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
- ^ Munro, Sir Donald (1594) Description of the Western Isles of Scotland.
- ^ Martin (1703) pp. 97-98.
- ^ Murray (1973) p. 108.
- ^ Scottish Natural Heritage list of SSSIs. Archived 2007-10-06 at the Wayback Machine (pdf) SNH. Retrieved 28 December 2006.
- ^ Munro, R.W. (1979), pages 170–71
- ^ Gunn, Neil (1945) The Silver Darlings George W. Stewart. New York. Chapter 15.
External links
- Northern Lighthouse Board information about Flannan Isles lighthouse
- Northern Lighthouse Board information about the disappearance of the keepers
- The Vanishing Lighthousemen of Eilean Mór Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Investigative paper based on primary sources
58°17′N 07°35′W / 58.283°N 7.583°W