Eilean nan Ròn
Eilean nan Ròn or Roan Island is an island near Skerray, in the north of Sutherland, Scotland. An estimated 350 seal pups are born here annually.
History
Eilean nan Ròn was populated for many years. 73 people lived there in 1881 and 30 in 1931 but it has been uninhabited since 1938. The final evacuation list contained nine people from the Mackay family – Christina Bella Mackay, Hector Sinclair Mackay, Jessie Ann Mackay, Willie John Mackay, Hugh Campbell Mackay, Donald Mackay, Ina Mackay, Chrissie Dolina Mackay and Christina Mackay.The ruins of a settlement can be seen from the Skerray and in the waist of the island, between Mol na Coinnle and Mol Mòr.
Geography and geology
Eilean nan Ròn is not one of the Hebrides, which lie off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is mainly sandstone with steep cliffs on the north and east coasts and a natural arch at Leathad Ballach, which is high, and wide. The high points are Cnoc an Loisgein at, and Cnoc na Caillich at. As Rev. Wilson wrote in 1882:There are several islets and islands off Eilean nan Ròn. These include the tidal Eilean Iosal, and beyond it Meall Thailm. To the southwest is the dully named An Innis. The Rabbit Islands are in Tongue Bay to the southwest. Neave Island is also nearby.