Isay is an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides

Inner Hebrides

The Inner Hebrides is an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, which enjoy a mild oceanic climate. There are 36 inhabited islands and a further 43 uninhabited Inner Hebrides with an area greater than...

 of the west coast 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...

. It lies in Loch Dunvegan

Loch Dunvegan

Loch Dunvegan, is a sea loch on the west coast of the island of Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Dunvegan, the village it was named after is located by its southern shore. The settlements of Galtrigill, Borreraig, Uig and Colbost are located on its western shore. Claigan is located on its...

, 1 kilometre off the northwest coast of the Isle of Skye. Two smaller isles of Mingay

Mingay

Mingay is an islet in the Inner Hebrides off Skye and Isay.Together with Isay and Loch Dunvegan, it is designated as a Special Area of Conservation owing to the breeding colonies of the common seal.-Geography and geology:...

 and Clett

Clett

Clett is a small uninhabited Scottish islet near the north coast of Caithness, just to the west Holborn Head north of Scrabster....

 lie nearby. The name originated from the Old Norse

Old Norse

Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....

 ise-øy meaning porpoise

Porpoise

Porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae; they are related to whales and dolphins. They are distinct from dolphins, although the word "porpoise" has been used to refer to any small dolphin, especially by sailors and fishermen...

 island. The island of Lampay

Lampay

Lampay is an uninhabited tidal island in Loch Dunvegan, off the northwest coast of the Isle of Skye in Scotland.It is separated from the "mainland" of Skye by a small sound called An Doirneil. It is not far from Claigan. The island doubles in size at low tide, and is really two islands connected by...

 is due south.

In the early 19th century, the island had a population of around ninety and had its own general store and fishing station. However, like many other small islands, the island people were removed during the Highland clearances

Highland Clearances

The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...

 to make way for sheep.

The island was briefly owned by the singer Donovan

Donovan

Donovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...

in the 1960s.

The area of Isay is 60 hectare (0.231661295155521 sq mi).