Shieldaig

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Shieldaig
gaelic_name= Sìldeag
scots_name= Shieldaig
population = 100
os_grid_reference= NG815539
map_type=Scotland
latitude=57.5228
longitude=-5.6505
unitary_scotland= Highland
lieutenancy_scotland= Ross and Cromarty
constituency_westminster= Ross, Skye and Lochaber
constituency_scottish_parliament= Ross, Skye and Inverness West constituency in the Highlands and Islands electoral region
post_town= Kinlochewe
postcode_district = IV54
postcode_area= IV
dial_code= 01520

Shieldaig (Gaelic: Sìldeag) is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland.

The village was founded in 1800 [ [http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shieldaig/shieldaig/index.html Shieldaig] Undiscovered Scotland] with a view to training up seamen for war against Napoleon, but after his (initial) defeat and exile to Elba, the community found itself a new role as a fishing village; therefore, the small island just off its coast never had its tall pines harvested to rig warships, and this has now become a nature sanctuary. The name of the village is a Viking word meaning 'loch of the herring' which do indeed still populate the bay in some profusion.

Shieldaig is a community of around 100 people, and has its own school, a small pub, a village hall that doubles as chapel, and a church. It is much used as a holiday destination, attracting those interested in sea fishing, and explorers of the Torridon Hills which are a few miles around the coast.

References

External links

* [http://www.stevecarter.com/sh.htm Shieldaig.org] is the local website, listing accommodation and useful information.
* [http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shieldaig/shieldaig/index.html The Undiscovered Scotland] page for Shieldaig gives good coverage of the village and its facilities.