Monach Islands (Na h-Eileanan Siar)

Lat:57.5179 Lon: -7.6204

The Monach Islands, also known as Heisker lie to the west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

The three main islands, Ceann Ear, Ceann Iar and Shivinish are linked at low tide. Local oral tradition suggests the islands were once joined to North Uist but marine erosion destroyed this link.

From 1000AD the islands supported up to 100 people but were abandoned in 1810. Overgrazing had left the land exposed and high winds spread sand and eroded top soil. Re-establishment of marram grass stabilised the soil and dunes, and after the Highland Clearances the islands were inhabited again.

The main centre of population was a village to the south of Ceann Ear. The buildings were clustered round Loch nam Buadh, however the loch is salty and the inhabitants relied on wells for fresh water.

The population fell through the 20th Century and the Monachs have been uninhabited since the 1940s. Most of the buildings have fallen into ruin since the island was abandoned. Only the old schoolhouse has been maintained. It now acts as a shelter for visiting fishermen.

The group became a National Nature Reserve in 1966.

Features of the area

• Island
• Farm
• Village

Na h-Eileanan Siar Group

Na h-Eileanan Siar is one of Scotland’s 32 unitary council areas. It is governed by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the only local council in Scotland to have a Gaelic-only name, the title Western Isles Council having been retracted in 1997.

The council was created in 1975 and since 1999, there has been also the Western Isles constituency of the Scottish Parliament, sharing the same boundaries.

Elsewhere on the BBC

• BBC Highlands and Islands

Elsewhere on the web

• Wikipedia entry on Ceann Ear
• Scottish Natural Heritage: Monach Islands National Nature Reserve
• Monach Lighthouse
• Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
• Scran: Online image and media resource