Eilean Ornsay

Summary

Eilean Ornsay is a rocky and uninhabited island located off the south-western coast of the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. It is situated on the western side of Loch Eatharna and is joined to Coll at low tide.[2] Evidence of the dun and other archaeological finds were recently discovered by a field walk on the east side of Coll.[3]

Eilean Ornsay
Scottish Gaelic nameEilean Ornsay
Meaning of nametidal island
Location
Eilean Ornsay is located in Argyll and Bute
Eilean Ornsay
Eilean Ornsay
Eilean Ornsay shown within Argyll and Bute
OS grid referenceNR161523
Coordinates56°36′N 6°31′W / 56.6°N 6.51°W / 56.6; -6.51
Physical geography
Island groupMull
Area14 ha (116 sq mi)
Highest elevation10 m (33 ft)
Administration
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Council areaArgyll and Bute
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad
References[1]
Eilean Ornsay, 2007

Archaeology edit

 
Location of duns, hillforts, and crannogs, on Coll.

The island was recently visited by members of Coll Archaeology Association Shorewatch, resulting in the discovery of evidence of several archaeological sites which had previously been unrecorded. Evidence of a possible dun was found located at grid reference NM2260855491. Several examples of rock-cut basins were found: one located at grid reference NM2232951503; and three located at grid reference NM2238854899. A kelp kiln was found at grid reference NM2255855492; a shell mound was found at grid reference NM2234555423; a sheiling at grid reference NM2248353480; and an enclosure at grid reference NM2250353492.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  2. ^ "Ornsay, Eilean". www.geo.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  3. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Coll, Eilean Ornsay (272237)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  4. ^ Turner, Robin, ed. (2004). "2003" (PDF). Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. New series. 4. Council for Scottish Archaeology: 29–30. ISSN 0419-411X.

External links edit

  • Coll Archaeology Association: Trip to Ornsay Archived 10 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine

56°36′27.96″N 6°31′27.6″W / 56.6077667°N 6.524333°W / 56.6077667; -6.524333