Killegray

Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=57.74
longitude=-7.08
GridReference=NF976836
celtic name=Ceileagraigh
norse name=kjallard-øy
meaning of name=Old Norse: graveyard island
area=176 ha
area rank=118
highest elevation= 45 m
Population= 0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Outer Hebrides
local authority=Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] cite book| author=Haswell-Smith, Hamish| year=2004| title=The Scottish Islands| location=Edinburgh| publisher=Canongate| isbn=1-84195-454-3]

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

Geography

Situated in the Sound of Harris, a channel of water between North Uist and the Isle of Harris, Killegray is approximately 1½ miles long.

The south end of the island is nearly all deep uncultivated moss. There is better cultivated land at the north.cite web| url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurehistory1986.html| title=Historical perspective for Killegray| publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| accessdate=2007-12-10]

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 Sound of Harris. [cite web| url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1216742006| title=Eco-power plan to boost islands link| author=John Ross| publisher=The Scotsman| date=19 August 2006| accessdate=2007-12-10] Wind turbines and tidal generators could be incorporated in the scheme from Berneray via Killegray and Ensay to Harris. [cite web| url=http://www.metoc.co.uk/pressreleases/mte061001SOHfinal.pdf| format=pdf| title=Feasibility of Renewable Energy to fund Western Isles link| publisher=Metoc| date=30 November 2006| accessdate=2007-12-10] The estimated cost of £75 million could rise to £145 million with the renewable energy devices.

Footnotes