Monday, 11 June 2007

The Bishop's Isles

These are islands in the Western Isles archipelago south of Barra - 120 miles south of Stornoway. Of these, only Vatersay remains inhabited. The others, Pabbay, Sandray, Mingulay and Berneray, are depopulated. Pabbay's population drowned when a boat capsized. Mingulay's population evacuated in 1912. Sandray was abandoned in 1931. More info here.

The BBC have published a report by Gaelic journalist Tearlach Quinnell [Tearlach is the Gaelic for Charles], which I would like to recommend for reading. Whilst you do that, why not play this earthy rendition of the Mingulay Boat Song, courtesy Cantaria.

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