- Vacsay
Infobox Scottish island
GridReference=NB115370
latitude=58.23
longitude=-6.91
celtic name=
norse name=bakkiey or vagr-øy
meaning of name=peat bank or bay island
area= 41 ha (101 acres)
area rank=207=
highest elevation=34 m (112 ft)
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Lewis and Harris
local authority=Outer Hebrides
references= [2001 UK Census perList of islands of Scotland ] Haswell-Smith] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ]Vacsay (
Scottish Gaelic : Bhacsaidh or Bhacsaigh fromOld Norse "bakkiey" meaning "peat bank island") is one of theOuter Hebrides . It is off the west coast ofLewis in West Loch Roag. It is 41 ha in size, and 34 metres at its highest point.History
Like many of the surrounding islands, Vacsay is uninhabited due to the
Highland Clearances , which occurred here in 1827.It was bought in 1993 by Sindar Iqbal Singh, a
London business man, who currently lives inLesmahagow . He has bought the title, "Lord of Butley Manor" and also wishes to rename Vacsay, "Robert Burns ' island" or Eilean Burns, [cite news| url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/editors-choice/2008/01/24/the-laird-of-lesmahagow-86908-20295962/| work=Daily Record | title=The Laird Of Lesmahagow| author=Craig McQueen| date=Jan 24, 2008| accessdate=2008-10-04] although Burns never visited the Outer Hebrides.Geography and geology
The island is Lewisian
gneiss .Vacsay has an extremely complicated coastline, and is connected at low tide to several surrounding islets such as Trathasam, and Liacam.
It is between the islands of
Vuia Mòr andPabay Mòr and is offGreat Bernera .Footnotes
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