Overview of Scalpay

An island in the Inner Hebrides, Scalpay is located to the northwest of Pabay, lying off the NE coast of the island of Skye and covers an area of 2483 ha (6135 acres). Its name means either the 'cave island' or 'scallop island'. The highest point on the island is Mullach na Carn which rises to a height of 396m (1299 feet). To the northeast of the peak lies three lochs, those of Loch an Leoid, Loch Dubh and Loch a' Mhullinn. The principal residents of the island are the Red Deer, which are farmed in an enclosure of 1600 ha (3954 acres) in a programme established by the Highlands and Islands Development Board, the forerunner of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Its population has made a gradual recovery from just 2 (1961) to 5 (1971), 6 (1981), 7 (1991) and 10 (2001).