Shillay, Monach Islands

This is about the Monach Island (Heisgeir) - see Shillay (disambiguation) for others of the same name

Shillay (Scottish Gaelic: Siolaigh from the Norse selrey, meaning Seal island) is one of the Monach Islands (Heisgeir), off North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Despite Ceann Iar's name, meaning "western headland", it is Shillay, which is in fact the westernmost of the group.

Lighthouse

The old lighthouse became redundant in 1942; the newer light was installed in 1997.

It is most notable for being the location of a disused lighthouse. This was originally a fire, which was maintained by the monks who lived at Clach na Bleide on Ceann Ear. The red brick lighthouse was built in 1864, and was in use until 1942. However, there have been plans to revive it.

The old lighthouse became redundant in 1942; and a newer light was installed in 1997.

A stone from the lighthouse has been removed into the church wall at Paible; a keeper had carved into it "Eternity Oh Eternity" . Interestingly, just to the south of Shillay, there is an Eilean Siorraidh ("Island of Eternity"; formerly Eilean Siorruidh) - whether this carving is a reference to this or the solitude of the island is unrecorded.

Geology and geography

A ruined cottage, now replaced with a portacabin, used until recently as a fisherman's shelter

Like most of the other Monach Islands, Shillay has a thin, sandy soil, which has been much troubled by erosion, and which was badly eroded by a huge wave in the 16th century.

There are several small islets around Shillay, including the aforementioned Eilean Siorraidh, Odarum (to the north) and Raisgeir.