Skerray ( gd, Sgeirea) is a remote small

crofting Crofting is a form of land tenure and small-scale food production particular to the Scottish Highlands, the islands of Scotland, and formerly on the Isle of Man. Within the 19th century townships, individual crofts were established on the bett ...

hamlet and fishing port on the north coast of Sutherland, Scotland. It is located by road northeast of

Tongue The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod. It manipulates food for mastication and swallowing as part of the digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste. The tongue's upper surface (dorsum) is covered by taste ...

and by road west of

Thurso Thurso (pronounced ; sco, Thursa, gd, Inbhir Theòrsa ) is a town and former burgh on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. Situated in the historical County of Caithness, it is the northernmost town on the island of Gre ...

. Skerray is home to a community of artists and a group of tree planters.

Geography

Skerray, whose name means "between the rocks and the sea", is so called because it is situated on a rocky promontory on the Atlantic Ocean between

to the southwest and

Bettyhill Bettyhill ( gd, Am Blàran Odhar) is a village in the parish of Farr, on the north coast of Scotland. Bettyhill lies on the A836 road west of Thurso and from Tongue. It lies from the village of Skerray; its former fishing port was called ...

to the east. There is an additional location called Skerray to the west. The community is located north of the A836 road from Tongue. The nearest local airport and main line rail station are at

Wick Wick most often refers to: * Capillary action ("wicking") ** Candle wick, the cord used in a candle or oil lamp ** Solder wick, a copper-braided wire used to desolder electronic contacts Wick or WICK may also refer to: Places and placename ...

and

. Skerray is the main village in "Mackay Country", historically attributed to

Clan Mackay Clan Mackay ( ; gd, Clann Mhic Aoidh ) is an ancient and once-powerful Highland Scottish clan from the far North of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old Kingdom of Moray. They supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish ...

. There are 11 townships in the community, Torrisdale, Achtoty, Lotts, Clashaidy, Clashlevan, Achnabat, Clashbuie, Modsary, Lamigo, Strathanbeg, Strathan, and Slettel, now deserted. To the south are the lakes of Lochan Modsane, Loch na Coit, Lochan nam Burag, Lochan an Tigh-choimhid and Loch Skerray, with Lochan Ruadh to the southwest. Just off the coast of Skerray Bay are

Neave Island Neave Island ( gd, Eilean na Naoimh, "Isle of the Saint") or Coomb(e) Island is an island on the north coast of the Scottish mainland. Neave Island is a small rugged island to the east of Eilean nan Ròn in Sutherland, separated from the mainl ...

and

Eilean nan Ròn Eilean nan Ròn ( gd, island of the seals) is an island near Skerray, in the north of Sutherland, Scotland.Wilson, Rev. John ''The Gazetteer of Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone An estimated 350 seal pups are born here ...

to the northwest. Skerray Bay contains a small harbour and pier. The harbour, situated west of

Melvich Melvich (from Norse Mel Vik – "sand dune bay" – rendered into gd, A' Mhealbhaich) is a village in the county of Sutherland on the north coast of Scotland. It is situated on the A836 road, near the mouth of the River Halladale. It has a suc ...

, has a natural rocky ridge, open to the north. The foundation stone for Port Skerray was laid in October 1894 by the Duke of Sutherland. The Skerray stream, Strathskerray, is approximately in length and empties at the sea.

Economy

Cottage on the road to Skerray harbour - geograph

The Skerray economy, historically based on crofting and fishing, saw dramatic changes in its population, which fell from 500 in 1926 to around 100 by the 1980s. In the late 19th century, the ''North Sea Pilot'' noted that, "At Skerray, Isle Roan, and Torrisdale, 25 boats and 120 men and boys are employed in the fisheries." Skerray has been a crofting community, though with the decline of crofting in this area, dwellings are expected to be converted to holiday homes. A five-year Scottish National Heritage research project that began in 1994 gave some of Skerry's crofters the opportunity to participate in an agricultural and environmental management study in exchange for annual payments. A group of artists live and work in Skerray, as well as the ''A' Chraobh'' ("The Tree") Group which planted the Millennium Forest at Borgie. The economy has expanded to include tourism.

Landmarks

Skerray has a small shop, Jimson's, with an incorporated post office. The main store closed in the early 1960s. The adjacent building to Jimson's is now home to a small art gallery featuring art work from local artists. The hamlet also contains Skerray Village Hall. The main church in Skerray is the Free Church (in the hamlet of Achtoty) and, as of 1988, it was reported to be "just about surviving, having had no minister for four years" but has fallen into a ruined state of repair.

Education

A parochial schoolhouse was built in Skerray in 1836. While primary education remains local, secondary education is provided at Farr High School in Bettyhill.

Tourism

Musical groups from other countries perform in the community hall. Cliffs and inlets along the coastline are explored by sea kayaking enthusiasts.

References

{{Reflist Populated places in Sutherland