Boreray, North Uist
Encyclopedia
Boreray is an island, with a single crofter, lying 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of North Uist
in the Outer Hebrides
of Scotland
.
The island is dominated by Loch Mòr ('big loch').
The island was occupied from prehistoric times. From the fifteenth century, it was owned by the MacLeans
. The thirteenth MacLean of Boreray left the island in around 1810, and the island was divided into twenty crofts. The population grew quickly, and 181 inhabitants were recorded in the 1841 census. Through the 19th century there were over 100 people living there.
Over-cultivation and the collapse of the kelp trade brought a gradual decline in the population. In 1923, the island was evacuated at the request of the islanders. One family stayed on until the 1960s, when the island was abandoned. In 1999, the present crofter started rebuilding work and remains the island’s sole inhabitant.
for the remainder are leased to the crofters of the nearby island of Berneray
.
The old crofthouse is available as holiday accommodation.
North Uist
North Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula...
in the Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The island is dominated by Loch Mòr ('big loch').
History
Clan MacLean
Clan Maclean is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with...
. The thirteenth MacLean of Boreray left the island in around 1810, and the island was divided into twenty crofts. The population grew quickly, and 181 inhabitants were recorded in the 1841 census. Through the 19th century there were over 100 people living there.
Over-cultivation and the collapse of the kelp trade brought a gradual decline in the population. In 1923, the island was evacuated at the request of the islanders. One family stayed on until the 1960s, when the island was abandoned. In 1999, the present crofter started rebuilding work and remains the island’s sole inhabitant.
Today
The single croft forms the north-east part of the island. The grazing rightsGrazing rights
Grazing rights is a legal term referring to the right of a user to allow their livestock to feed in a given area.- United States :...
for the remainder are leased to the crofters of the nearby island of Berneray
Berneray, North Uist
Berneray is an island and community in the Sound of Harris, Scotland. It is one of fifteen inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. It is famed for its rich and colourful history which has attracted much tourism....
.
The old crofthouse is available as holiday accommodation.