taransay
The island of Taransay lies just over a mile across the Sound of Taransay from South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. About four miles wide and three miles long Taransay's reaches a a peak of nearly 900ft on top of Ben Raah.
Taransay had a population high of 88 in 1941 but by 1942 was all but abandoned. The island's main settlement was to be found at Paible, close to both St Keith's and St Taran's Chapels. According to local tradition only men were buried at St Keiths and women at St Tarans. Once this practice was ignored and a mixed burial took place in one of the graveyards. The following morning one of the bodies was found lying on the surface of the ground next to the grave !!
In the early 1960's life returned to Taransay but by 1974 it was once again abandoned. The island although having no permanent population still has human habitation, if only for a few months of the year, thanks to two holiday cottages on the island. Back in 2000 Taransay was the setting for the BBC Television survival programme Castaway.
Although there may not be many people on Taransay these days it is home to plenty of Minks. The mink which is a strong swimmer has established itself on the island and are now attacking ground-nesting birds. In 2003 Stirling University started coordinating a research project to radio track the mink with a view to finding a way of eradicating them
In the early 1960's life returned to Taransay but by 1974 it was once again abandoned. The island although having no permanent population still has human habitation, if only for a few months of the year, thanks to two holiday cottages on the island. Back in 2000 Taransay was the setting for the BBC Television survival programme Castaway.
Although there may not be many people on Taransay these days it is home to plenty of Minks. The mink which is a strong swimmer has established itself on the island and are now attacking ground-nesting birds. In 2003 Stirling University started coordinating a research project to radio track the mink with a view to finding a way of eradicating them
Books. DVD's and Videos
Links
Visit Taransay - The islands may have lost it's permanent community but you could be part of a temporary one for at least a week by staying on one of two superb looking cottages on the island !!
Landscape Stock Photo Library - As usual from Colin Palmer, a quality collection of pictures of Taransay available to view and purchase.
Landscape Stock Photo Library - As usual from Colin Palmer, a quality collection of pictures of Taransay available to view and purchase.