Scalpay, an island of Strath parish, Skye, Inverness-shire, separated from the E coast of Skye by Scalpay Sound or Loch na Cairidh, which, at two points, is less than ½ mile broad. It lies off the mouth of Loch Ainort, and is 7 furlongs SSE of Raasay, 9½ miles SSW of Applecross, and 7½ W by N of Kyleakin. It is of an irregularly oval shape of 4¼ by 3 miles; and has the longer axis from NW to SE. Most of its area is occupied by a grassy mountain (994 feet) of uneven summit and rounded outline, displaying much bare rock, yet nowhere marked by asperities or wearing a barren aspect. The descent, in most places, but especially along the side towards Skye, comes down in smooth and gentle declivities to the sea; but, towards the NE, it terminates in bold though not very high cliffs. The Sound of Scalpay is a noted rendezvous of the herring fleet; and it abounds in oysters, some of which, both fish and shell, are black, while others are of a dingy blue colour. These oysters are supposed to be only a variety of the common species, and to derive their unwonted hue from the dark mud in which they breed. On the island are vestiges of an ancient chapel dedicated to St Francis. Pop. (1841) 90, (1861) 70, (1871) 48, (1881) 37.
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