Raasay

Raasay, Scottish Gaelic Ratharsair, is an island of the Inner Hebrides between Skye and the Scottish mainland. It is separated by the Sound of Raasay from Skye and the Inner Sound of the Applecross Peninsula. The almost uninhabited (population ) small island South Rona lies before their north coast, the island of Scalpay in front of their south coast.

" Raasay " means " Island of the deer ."

Geography

The area of the island stretches some 22 kilometers from north to south and measure at the widest point five kilometers from east to west. The highest point is 441 meters from the Dun Caan, an unusual flat-topped summit. The village Inverarish is located near the southeast coast. Part of the village served in the First World War as a POW camp. The inmates had to work in the ore mine on the island, which was closed shortly after the end of the war.

Today, the residents work in the fishing, the ferry company or commute to their jobs to Portree on Skye. There is a primary school; older students have to take the ferry and bus to Portree.

Because the island is geologically interesting, it is visited by many students who work here on mapping projects.

Area attractions include the remains of a Broch, the ruins of Castle Brochel, stones described, the old house of lords Raasay House and many hiking trails. Raasay is the home of Raasay Vole, a subspecies of Myodes glareolus, which is indigenous to the island. There are also many different species of plants, many species of birds and a large population of otters.

A 15-minute ferry trip connects the island with Sconser on Skye. A convenience store and a post office are located in Inverarish. Accommodation can be found in the Isle of Raasay Hotel, in Raasay Outdoor Centre or at the hostel.

Because here very many people pay attention to Sunday, no services are offered on this day. By 2004, not even on Sundays drove the ferry.