Killegray is an island in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

Geography

Situated in the

Sound of Harris The Sound of Harris ( gd, Caolas na Hearadh) is a channel between the islands of Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Geography Approximately in width, the Sound of Harris provides the main sea passage through the Hebridean ...

, a channel of water between

North Uist North Uist ( gd, Uibhist a Tuath; sco, North Uise) is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Etymology In Donald Munro's ''A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland Called Hybrides'' of 1549, North Uist, Benbecula and ...

and the

Isle of Harris Harris ( gd, Na Hearadh, ) is the southern and more mountainous part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Although not an island itself, Harris is often referred to in opposition to the ''Isle of Lewis'' as t ...

, Killegray is approximately long. The south end of the island is nearly all deep uncultivated moss. There is better cultivated land at the north.

History

Rubha Claidhe in the north is the site of a ruined chapel, Teampull na h-Annait, which may be the origin of the island's name. Currently uninhabited, the island was occupied by a family of around three to five people from 1861 to 1931. Two people were temporarily living on the island when the 1971 census was taken. The 19th-century Killegray House, the only house on the island was renovated as holiday accommodation in 1991.

Wildlife

The shallow waters and reefs are a rich breeding ground for velvet crabs and lobsters.

Possible development

Jacobs Babtie has investigated building a combination of bridges and causeways across the

. Wind turbines and tidal generators could be incorporated in the scheme from Berneray via Killegray and Ensay to Harris. The estimated cost of £75 million could rise to £145 million with the renewable energy devices.

Notes and references

{{Hebrides (uninhabited) Islands of the Sound of Harris Uninhabited islands of the Outer Hebrides