ExcursionsThe Shiant Islands
The Shiant Islands are situated 11 miles east of the Scalpay Bridge and are often referred to as a 'mini St Kilda'. The Shiants provide one of the most dramatic examples of basalt rock pillars in Britain which compare favourably with the splendour of similar rock formations found at the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland and Fingals Cave on Staffa, although the latter two examples are dwarfed in comparison to the giant columns found nestled amongst the northern cliffs of The Shiants, measuring over 350 feet high.
During the summer months the grassy slopes of the Shiants play host to a huge colony of Puffins as well as providing a home to other seabirds such as Razorbills, Guillemots, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Shags, Gulls and Great Skuas. The Islands lush green vegetation distinctly contrasted with dramatic black cliffs which rise abruptly from the sea provide an incredible backdrop to a vast array of wildlife.
The waters surrounding the Shiants are famed for the legend of "The Blue Men of the Minch" who are said to have inhabited the underwater caves beneath the Sound of Shiant. Sailors were fearful of passing through this stretch of water as they believed that these mythical mer-man type creatures would lure them to their deaths.
Although now uninhabited at one point, this small group of Islands are estimated to have sustained a population of between 20-30 people. The last record of the human habitation on the Shiants can be found in the 1901 census which details a total 8 people living on the Island. Those 8 residents left the Island the same year as the census record was gathered, electing to move to Harris in favour of the remoteness of the Shiants.
In the 1920`s, the Shiants were owned by the author Sir Compton Mackenzie, who looked upon them as his retreat from the world. In more recent times these Islands were owned by Adam Nicholson, whose book, 'Sea Room' provides a comprehensive & fascinating record & analyses of everything that is 'The Shiants'.
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