shiants
A collection of three small islands in the Minch, separated from North Harris by the Sound of Shiant. About fives miles south east of Lewis the main islands in the Shiants are Garbh Eilean, Eilean an Taighe and Eilean Mhuire.
There are scattered signs of settlements on Garbh Eilean at Annat and Bagh, on the plateau of Eliean Mhurie. Two areas of Eliean an Tigh also appear to have seen human habitation and it's believed that up to 40 people spread over 5 families still lived here in the 18th Century. After some 20 years without inhabitants a shepherd Donald Campbell and his family settled on the islands around 1860. The Campbell family eventually left the Shiants in 1901.
In more recent times ownership of the island has changed hands on several occasions. In 1925 Sir Compton McKenzie bought the Shiants at a London action for £500. Having renovated the derelict shepherds cottage on Eilean an Tigh he then stayed there on rare occasions during the summer months when he wanted solitude for writing. Sir Compton sold the islands in 1936 to a Colonel MacDonald from Skye who in turn to publisher Nigel Nicolson in 1937.
The Nicolson family still own the Shiants to this day and grazing rights are let to a sheep farmer on Scalpay.
In more recent times ownership of the island has changed hands on several occasions. In 1925 Sir Compton McKenzie bought the Shiants at a London action for £500. Having renovated the derelict shepherds cottage on Eilean an Tigh he then stayed there on rare occasions during the summer months when he wanted solitude for writing. Sir Compton sold the islands in 1936 to a Colonel MacDonald from Skye who in turn to publisher Nigel Nicolson in 1937.
The Nicolson family still own the Shiants to this day and grazing rights are let to a sheep farmer on Scalpay.
Books. DVD's and Videos
Links
The Shiant Isles - Main web resource for the Shiants. The site is the work of owner Adam Nicolson and contains some superb photographs as well as plenty of historical information on the islands.
Northern Light - If you fancy a trip to the Shiants then unless you own your own boat the best bet is to get in touch with Hannah at Northern Light Charters.
Western Isles Guide Book - A page from Charles Tait's Western Isles guide book featuring the Shiants.
Charles Tait Shiant Gallery - A superb collection of images from the always excellent Charles Tait archives.
Northern Light - If you fancy a trip to the Shiants then unless you own your own boat the best bet is to get in touch with Hannah at Northern Light Charters.
Western Isles Guide Book - A page from Charles Tait's Western Isles guide book featuring the Shiants.
Charles Tait Shiant Gallery - A superb collection of images from the always excellent Charles Tait archives.