Vatersay

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Vatersay
Vatersay
Vatersay
Waters North Atlantic
Archipelago Outer Hebrides
Geographical location 56 ° 55 ′ 51 ″  N , 7 ° 32 ′ 17 ″  W Coordinates: 56 ° 55 ′ 51 ″  N , 7 ° 32 ′ 17 ″  W
Location of Vatersay
surface 9.6 km²
Highest elevation Theiseabhal Mòr
190  m above sea level NN
Residents 90 (2011)
9.4 inhabitants / km²
main place Baile Bhatarsaigh

Vatersay ( Scottish Gaelic : Bhatarsaigh ) is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland and is connected to the island of Barra (Gaelic: Barraigh ) via the short Vatersay Causeway . The few inhabitants live in the small, only village, which is also called Vatersay, and in individual farmsteads on the southern part of the island.

The island is divided in two by an isthmus into a northern, mountainous and a southern, hilly half, covered by peat and machair land. The two halves are connected by a narrow strip of dunes, which is bordered by two long sandy beaches. On the western Atlantic beach (West Bay) the water temperature is usually noticeably higher than in the Scotland-facing Vatersay Bay, an influence of the Gulf Stream , which grazes the shores of the Outer Hebrides.

As a result of a poor infrastructure, Vatersay threatened to be completely abandoned by people from the middle of the 20th century. Shopping, doctor and church visits were only possible by taking the boat to the neighboring Barra. Only the construction of the Vatersay Causeway, an embankment to Barra near its capital Castlebay , ended the exodus. In 2011, 90 people lived on Vatersay, who live on Vatersay as a sheep farmer or from tourism or earn their living on Barra. In addition to English , the colloquial language is mainly Gaelic.

Vatersay can only be reached via the dam from Barra. Buses run several times a day on the route.

Attractions

Biruaslum or Bhatarsaigh is a promontory fort on a tidal island on the west coast.

Sights include the Eorasdail desert . All that remains of the houses are the outer walls and chimneys.

Closer surroundings

South of Vatersay are the uninhabited islands of Sandray, Papay, Mingulay and Berneray (also Barra Head, not to be confused with Berneray , which is the southernmost island in the Uist group and there is also a Pappay north of Lewis and Harris ). None of these islands can be reached by public transport. However, boat tours are offered there. The islands were inhabited for a long time. There are remains of settlements from a distant past as well as a lighthouse and a chapel.

Individual evidence

  1. 2011 census data

Web links

Commons : Vatersay  - collection of images, videos and audio files