Eilean nan Ròn

Eilean nan Ròn (island of the seals) is an island near Skerray, in the north of Sutherland, Scotland. An estimated 350 seal pups are born here annually.



History
Eilean nan Ròn was populated for many years. 73 people lived there in 1881 and 30 in 1931 but it has been uninhabited since 1938. The final evacuation list contained nine people from the Mackay family – Christina Bella Mackay, Hector Sinclair Mackay, Jessie Ann Mackay, Willie John Mackay, Hugh Campbell Mackay, Donald Mackay, Ina Mackay, Chrissie Dolina Mackay and Christina Mackay.

The ruins of a settlement can be seen from the Skerray and in the waist of the island, between Mol na Coinnle ("Pebble Beach of the Candles") and Mol Mòr ("big pebble beach").

Geography and geology
Eilean nan Ròn is not one of the Hebrides, which lie off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The island is mainly sandstone with steep cliffs on the north and east coasts and a natural arch at Leathad Ballach., which is 150 ft high, and 70 ft wide. The high points are Cnoc an Loisgein at 76 m, and Cnoc na Caillich at 75 m. As Rev. Wilson wrote in 1882:


 * It looks like two islands, is mostly engirt with high precipitous rocks, includes a low tract of very fertile soil.

There are several islets and islands off Eilean nan Ròn. These include the tidal Eilean Iosal (low island), and beyond it Meall Thailm (or "Meall Holm"). To the south west is the dully named An Innis ("small island"). The Rabbit Islands are in Tongue Bay to the south west.

Wildlife
As the name implies, Eilean nan Ròn is popular with grey seals, that come here in their hundreds each autumn to pup. About 350 calves are born each year. The island also has large numbers of seabirds, and sheep, which were left when the Island was evacuated.

Media Coverage
The island was subject of a BBC news report in 2024, when a BBC reporter traced his family history to the island and subsequently visited it.