Monday 22 December 2014

Size Up on Shillay


Sunset from Leverburgh shows how the conical Pabbay (also below) stands out in the Sound of Harris. To its right is Shillay - from the Norse for 'seal island'. Around 100 - 150 grey seals are born here annually, but Hamish Haswell-Smith notes in his The Scottish Islands how Martin Martin was particularly impressed, in 1695, by the largest horns he had ever seen on sheep. In 1946 a lobster was found nearby with the following dimensions - length 35"; circumference 15.5", cutting edge of scissors claw 7.5", empty shell weight 10.75 lbs. Something in the water?


Scottish Islands Explorer - appears as a consistent 52-page-size magazine

No comments: