Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands/Islands by area
This is an incomplete list of Scottish islands ranked by area.
Definitions
- An island is: "land that is surrounded by water on a daily basis, but not necessarily at all stages of the tide, excluding human devices such as bridges and causeways”.
- Bridged, tidal, loch and river islands are therefore included provided they meet the above definition.
- If there is doubt as to whether or not the land is an island, the Ordnance Survey is the principal reference for determining the extent of high tides.
Protocol for area measurement
- Articles use the best reliable source available on a case-by-case basis.
- For larger islands this is often Haswell-Smith (2004) and ideally this source is used for consistency.
- For inhabited islands the next best reference is often General Register Office for Scotland (November 2003) Scotland's Census 2001 table.
- Other useful sources are the ‘’Gazetteer of Scotland’’, which has academic credentials, and Rick Livingstone’s comprehensive tables, which are especially useful for smaller islands <40ha.
- Occasionally another estimate from a credible external source may trump the others.
- Estimates from Ordnance Survey maps may be used in the absence of other sources or if it is clear that a source includes an error.
- The areas of tidal islands should be measured at a stage when they are "surrounded by seawater".
Protocol for ranking
- Ranking is based primarily on Rick Livingstone’s tables, adjusted for amendments to measurements as agreed above.
- 'Complex islands': an island may only appear on the list once and usually the smaller islands that appear at higher stages of the tide are used for ranking purposes.[Note 1]
The area measurements should be per the article infoboxes, the relevant archipelago lists and List of islands of Scotland. As the sortable table at this last location creates a very long unnumbered list this table has been created to enable users of Template:Infobox Scottish island to determine the area ranks without having to count such a lengthy list. (Further details are available from Ben MacDui and Finavon who keep a main list on a more user friendly spreadsheet form.)
Only Haswell-Smith provides a ranked table (pp. 502-503) and a reconciliation with it for the largest 100 islands is provided below. Islands marked with an asterisk are not included on this list as he excludes bridged and tidal islands. Livingstone's tables are not ranked as such but easy to sort on a spreadsheet.
Caveat: for smaller islands estimating areas requires a consistency of approach, and none of the sources used provide an explicit reasoning. Thus, for islands such as Stromay, measuring at low tide will provide a quite different result from high tide and below about 70 ha the rankings are source dependent.
The rankings below show all islands >15ha. However, as the measurements for smaller islands are sometimes varied and re-numbering infoboxes can be time-consuming it is probably not desirable to add area ranks for islands <40 ha in area.
1st-100th edit
For offshore islands the area estimates are Haswell-Smith, unless otherwise stated.
| Rank | Island | Area (ha) | RL Rank | HS Rank |
| 1 | Lewis and Harris | 217898 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Skye* | 165625 | 2 | n/a |
| 3 | Mainland, Shetland | 96879 | 3 | 2 |
| 4 | Mull | 87535 | 4 | 3 |
| 5 | Islay | 61956 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Mainland, Orkney | 52325 | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | Arran | 43201 | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | Jura | 36692 | 8 | 8 |
| 9 | South Uist | 32026 | 9 | 4[Note 2] |
| 10 | North Uist* | 30305 | 10 | n/a |
| 11 | Yell | 21211 | 11 | 9 |
| 12 | Hoy | 14318 | 12 | 10 |
| 13 | Bute | 12217 | 14 | 11 |
| 14 | Unst | 12068 | 13 | 12 |
| 15 | Rùm | 10463 | 15 | 13 |
| 16 | Benbecula* | 8203 | 16 | n/a |
| 17 | Tiree | 7834 | 17 | 14 |
| 18 | Coll | 7685 | 18 | 15 |
| 19 | Raasay | 6231 | 19 | 17[Note 3] |
| 20 | Barra | 5875 | 20 | 16 |
| 21 | Sanday, Orkney | 5043 | 21= | 18 |
| 22 | South Ronaldsay* | 4980 | 21= | n/a |
| 23 | Rousay | 4860 | 23 | 19 |
| 24 | Westray | 4713 | 24 | 20 |
| 25 | Fetlar | 4078 | 25 | 22 |
| 26 | Colonsay | 4074 | 26 | 21[Note 4] |
| 27 | Stronsay | 3275 | 27 | 23 |
| 28 | Eigg | 3049 | 28 | 24 |
| 29 | Shapinsay | 2948 | 29 | 25 |
| 30 | Bressay | 2805 | 30 | 26 |
| 31 | Eday | 2745 | 31 | 27 |
| 32 | Scalpay, Inner Hebrides | 2483 | 32 | 28 |
| 33 | Lismore | 2351 | 33 | 30 |
| 34 | Great Bernera* | 2122 | 34 | n/a |
| 35 | Ulva | 1990 | 36[Note 5] | 29[Note 6] |
| 36 | Whalsay | 1970 | 35 | 31 |
| 37 | Muckle Roe* | 1773 | 37 | n/a |
| 38 | Taransay | 1475 | 39 | 33 |
| 39 | Scarba | 1474 | 38[Note 7] | 34 |
| 40 | Luing | 1430 | 40= | 32[Note 8] |
| 41 | Gigha | 1395 | 40= | 35 |
| 42 | Seil* | 1329 | 42 | n/a |
| 43 | Foula | 1265 | 43 | 37 |
| 44 | Kerrera | 1214 | 44 | 38 |
| 45 | Great Cumbrae | 1168 | 45 | 39 |
| 46 | Canna | 1130 | 46 | 36[Note 9] |
| 47 | South Walls* | 1100[1][Note 10] | 47 | n/a |
| 48 | Scarp | 1045 | 48 | 40 |
| 49 | Soay | 1036 | 49 | 41 |
| 50 | Berneray, North Uist* | 1010 | 50 | n/a |
| 51 | Vatersay* | 960 | 51 | n/a |
| 52 | South Rona | 930 | 52 | 42 |
| 53 | Papa Westray | 918 | 53 | 43 |
| 54 | Baleshare* | 910 | 54 | n/a |
| 55 | Burray* | 903 | 55 | n/a |
| 56 | Iona | 877 | 56 | 44 |
| 57 | Flotta | 877 | 57 | 45 |
| 58 | Grimsay* | 833 | 58 | n/a |
| 59 | Papa Stour | 828 | 59 | 46 |
| 60 | Pabbay | 820 | 60 | 47 |
| 61 | Fair Isle | 768 | 61 | 48 |
| 62 | West Burra* | 743 | 62 | n/a |
| 63 | Eriskay* | 703 | 63 | n/1 |
| 64 | North Ronaldsay | 690 | 64 | 49 |
| 65 | Hirta | 670 | 65 | 50 |
| 66 | Scalpay, Outer Hebrides* | 653 | 66= | n/a |
| 67 | Egilsay | 650 | 66= | 51 |
| 68 | Mingulay | 640 | 68 | 52 |
| 69 | Ronay | 563 | 70= | 53 |
| 70 | Muck | 559 | 70= | 54 |
| 71 | Oronsay, Inner Hebrides* | 543 | 72 | n/a |
| 72 | Eilean Shona* | 525 | 69[Note 11] | n/a |
| 73 | East Burra* | 515 | 73 | n/a |
| 74 | Shuna, Slate Islands | 451 | 74 | 55 |
| 75 | Gometra* | 425 | 75 | n/a |
| 76 | Graemsay | 409 | 76 | 56 |
| 77 | Sandray | 385 | 77 | 57 |
| 78= | Stroma | 375 | 78 | 58= |
| 78= | Wiay, Uist | 375 | 79= | 58= |
| 80 | Vementry | 370 | 79= | 60 |
| 81 | Noss | 343 | 82 | 62 |
| 82 | Vaila | 327 | 83 | 63 |
| 83 | Danna, Scotland* | 315[3][Note 12] | 94= | n/a |
| 84 | Little Cumbrae | 313 | 81 | 64 |
| 85 | Wyre, Orkney | 311 | 87 | 65 |
| 86 | Tanera Mòr | 310 | 84= | 66 |
| 87= | Isle of Ewe | 309 | 84= | 67= |
| 87= | Handa, Scotland | 309 | 84= | 67= |
| 89 | Fara, Orkney | 295 | 88 | 69 |
| 90= | Trondra* | 275 | 89 | n/a |
| 90= | Hascosay | 275 | 90 | 70 |
| 92 | Seaforth Island | 273 | 91 | 71 |
| 93 | Inchmarnock | 266 | 94= | 73 |
| 94 | Vallay* | 260 | 97= | n/a |
| 95 | Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde | 253 | 94= | 75 |
| 96= | Lunga, Firth of Lorn | 250[Note 13] | 97= | 74 |
| 96= | Pabbay, Barra, Scotland | 250 | 97= | 76 |
| 98 | Calf of Eday | 243 | 100= | 77 |
| 99= | Gairsay | 240 | 100= | 78 |
| 99= | Oronsay, Loch Sunart* | 240[1] | 100= | n/a |
- Haswell-Smith ranks Ceann Ear, Monachs at 61 and Eilean Mor, Crowlins at 72 including their tidal outliers.
- Livingstone's 92 is Oldany - see below- and 93 is the Shetland promontory Gluss Isle.
101st-200th edit
For offshore islands the area estimates are Haswell-Smith, unless otherwise stated.
| Island | Area (ha) | RL Rank | |
| 101 | Fuday | 232 | 103= |
| 102 | Papa Little | 226 | 103= |
| 103 | Isle Ristol* | 225[3][Note 14] | 122= |
| 104 | Càrna | 213 | 105= |
| 105= | Kirkibost* | 205 | 107= |
| 105= | Uyea, Unst | 205 | 105= |
| 107 | Barra Head | 204 | 107= |
| 108 | Ceann Ear* | 203[Note 15] | 107= |
| 109 | Oldany Island* | 200[4] | 92[Note 16] |
| 110 | Boreray, North Uist | 198 | 107= |
| 111 | Gruinard Island | 196 | 107= |
| 112 | Erraid* | 187 | 112= |
| 113 | Ensay, Outer Hebrides | 186 | 112= |
| 114 | Sanday, Inner Hebrides* | 184 | 115= |
| 115= | Mousa | 180 | 115= |
| 115= | Faray | 180 | 115= |
| 117 | Killegray | 176 | 115= |
| 118 | Eilean Mòr, Crowlin Islands[5] | 170 | 112= |
| 119 | Housay* | 163 | 119= |
| 120 | Isle Martin | 157 | 119= |
| 121 | Shuna, Loch Linnhe | 155 | 121 |
| 122 | Ceann Iar* | 154 | 122= |
| 123 | Wiay, Skye | 148 | 122= |
| 124= | Flodaigh* | 145[3][Note 17] | 175= |
| 124= | Eriska* | 145[1][Note 18] | 125 |
| 126 | Garbh Eilean (Shiant Isles) | 143 | 157=[Note 19] |
| 127= | Garbh Eileach | 142 | 126= |
| 127= | Hellisay | 142 | 126= |
| 129= | Eilean nan Ròn | 138 | 126= |
| 129= | Little Bernera | 138 | 129= |
| 131 | Sanda Island | 127 | 134 |
| 132 | Longa Island | 126 | 135= [Note 20] |
| 133= | Eilean Liubhaird | 125 | 130= |
| 133= | West Linga | 125 | 130= |
| 135 | Eilean Mhealasta | 124 | 135= |
| 136= | Eorsa | 122 | 135= |
| 136= | Pabay | 122 | 135= |
| 136= | Priest Island | 122 | 135= |
| 139= | Inchmurrin (F) | 120[1] | 135= |
| 139= | Eilean Fladday* | 120[1] | 135= |
| 141 | Eilean Sùbhainn (F) | 118[4] | 153 |
| 142 | Grimsay, South East Benbecula* | 117[3] | 180=[Note 21] |
| 143= | Torsa* | 110[1] | 142= |
| 144= | Eilean Chaluim Chille* | 110[1] | 142= |
| 144= | Hunda* | 110[1] | 142= |
| 146 | North Rona | 109 | 142= |
| 147 | Hildasay | 108 | 142= |
| 148 | Cava, Orkney | 107 | 142= |
| 149 | Pabaigh Mòr | 101 | 149= |
| 150= | Ailsa Craig | 99 | 152 |
| 150= | Soay, St Kilda | 99 | 142= |
| 152 | Gighay | 96 | 154 |
| 153 | Swona | 92 | 155 |
| 154 | Little Colonsay | 88 | 156= |
| 155= | Boreray, St Kilda | 86[7][Note 22] | 168= |
| 155= | Eilean Rìgh | 86 | 158 |
| 157= | Auskerry | 85 | 159= |
| 157= | Oronsay, Outer Hebrides* | 85 | 159= |
| 159= | Fuiay | 84 | 161= |
| 159= | Vuia Mòr | 84 | 161= |
| 161 | Lunga, Treshnish Isles | 81 | 163 |
| 162= | Balta, Shetland | 80 | 164= |
| 162= | Inchlonaig (F) | 80[1] | 164= |
| 164= | Muldoanich | 78 | 166 |
| 164= | Bigga | 78 | 166= |
| 166= | Eilean Kearstay | 77 | 168= |
| 166= | Eilean Meadhonach*[5] | 77 | 168= |
| 168 | Eynhallow | 75 | 171 |
| 169 | Papa Stronsay | 74 | 199[Note 23] |
| 170 | Copinsay | 73 | 173 |
| 171= | Hermetray | 72 | 172 |
| 171= | Calve Island* | 72 | 174 |
| 171= | Linga, Muckle Roe | 72 | 175= |
| 174= | Calbha Mor* | 70[1] | 175= |
| 174= | Inchtavannach (F) | 70[1] | 175= |
| 176 | Gunna | 69 | 179 |
| 177 | Oxna | 68 | 180= |
| 178= | Tanera Beag | 66 | 182= |
| 178= | Cara | 66 | 182= |
| 178= | Samphrey | 66[Note 24] | 182= |
| 178= | Stromay* | 66[8][Note 25] | 149= |
| 182 | Isay | 60 | 185= |
| 183= | South Havra | 59 | 185= |
| 183= | Papa, Shetland | 59 | 187 |
| 183= | Eilean Mòr, Loch Langavat (F) | 59[8] | n/a |
| 186 | Flodaigh Mòr | 58 | 188 |
| 187 | Midgarth | 57 | 189 |
| 188 | Eileach an Naoimh | 56 | 190 |
| 189= | Inch Kenneth | 55 | 191= |
| 189= | Glims Holm* | 55 | 191= |
| 189= | Bruray* | 55 | 191= |
| 189= | Ceallasaigh Mòr* | 55[1] | 191= |
| 189= | Ceallasaigh Beag* | 55[8][Note 26] | 191= |
| 189= | Fraoch-eilean* | 55[1] [Note 27] | 191= |
| 195 | Eilean Tigh* | 54[1] | 198 |
| 196= | Horse Island, Summer Isles | 53 | 200= |
| 196= | Tahay | 53 | 200= |
| 198 | Davaar* | 52[3][Note 28] | 149= |
| 199= | Longay | 50 | 202= |
| 199= | Eileanan Iasgaich | 50 | 281= |
| 199= | Eilean Dubh Mòr | 50[1] | 202= |
| 199= | Eilean Macaskin | 50 | 202= |
| 199= | Inchcailloch (F) | 50[1] | 202= |
| 199= | Flodday, Loch Maddy | 50[1] | 202= |
Livingstone has the tied St Ninian's Isle and the peninsula of Fora Ness, both at 130= plus Eilean an Taighe, Shiants at 198=.[Note 29]
200th + edit
For offshore islands the area estimates are Haswell-Smith, unless otherwise stated.
| Island | Area (ha) | RL Rank | |
| 205= | Scotasay | 49 | 207= |
| 205= | Stockinish Island | 49 | 207= |
| 207 | Texa | 48 | 210 |
| 208 | Shillay (north of Pabbay) | 47 | 211 |
| 209 | Moncreiffe Island (F) | 46[8] | n/a |
| 210= | Calbha Beag | 45[1][Note 30] | 212= |
| 210= | Soay Mòr | 45 | 212= |
| 210= | Isle of May | 45 | 212= |
| 210= | Stuley | 45 | 212= |
| 210= | Linga, Yell | 45 | 212= |
| 215 | Lamba, Shetland | 43 | 217= |
| 216 | Lingeigh, North Uist | 42[1] | 217= |
| 217= | Switha | 41 | 219= |
| 217= | Fiaray | 41 | 237= |
| 217= | Vacsay | 41 | 219= |
| 220= | Flodday, Sound of Barra | 40 | 225= |
| 220= | Brother Isle | 40 | 221= |
| 220= | Lamb Holm* | 40[8][1] | 221= |
| 220= | Dunglass Island (F) | 40 | n/a |
| 220= | Eilean Mhic Chrion* | 40[1][Note 31] | 221= |
| 220= | Nave Island* | 40[1] | 221= |
Livingston also has the Eileanan Chearabhaigh at 49 ha ranked at 207=(see below).[Note 32]
<40 ha and >15 ha edit
All are per Rick Livingston's tables unless otherwise stated. Note that it is not desirable to add area ranks to infoboxes for islands <40 ha in area (see above).
| Island | Area (ha) | |
| 226= | Flodaigh, Lewis | 39 |
| 226= | Garbh Eilean, Loch Maree (F) | 39 |
| 228= | Eilean Trodday | 38 |
| 228= | Eilean Ruairidh Mòr (F) | 38 |
| 228= | Linga, Samphrey | 38 |
| 231 | Eilean Dubh, Summer Isles | 37 |
| 232= | Eilean an Roin Mor | 35 |
| 232= | Fuaigh Beag | 35 |
| 232= | Helliar Holm | 35 |
| 232= | Inchconnachan (F) | 35 |
| 232= | Inchfad (F) | 35 |
| 237= | Bernera, Lismore | 34 |
| 237= | Muckle Skerry | 34 |
| 239= | Insh, Slate Islands | 33 |
| 239= | Ornsay | 33 |
| 239= | Staffa | 33[9] |
| 239= | Eilean Ighe | 33 |
| 239= | Rysa Little | 33 |
| 244 | Eileanan Chearabhaigh | 32[8][Note 33] |
| 245= | Eilean Horrisdale | 31[Note 34] |
| 245= | St Serf's Inch (F) | 31 |
| 247= | Eilean Mhuire | 30 |
| 247= | Neave Island | 30 |
| 247= | Sursaigh | 30 |
| 250= | Vacasay, Sound of Harris | 29 |
| 250= | Eilean Mullagrach, Summer Isles | 29 |
| 252= | Eilean Hoan | 28 |
| 252= | Harlosh Island | 28 |
| 252= | Rabbit Islands (north) | 28 |
| 252= | Torogaigh, N. Uist | 28 |
| 252= | Uyea, Northmavine | 28 |
| 252= | Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart | 28 |
| 252= | Groaigh | 28 |
| 252= | Muckle Green Holm | 28 |
| 252= | Orosay, by Fuday | 28 |
| 252= | Tarner Island | 28 |
| 262= | Holm of Faray | 27 |
| 262= | Lingeigh, Barra Isles | 27 |
| 262= | Rainish Eilean Mòr (F) | 27[10] |
| 265= | Bac Mor | 26 |
| 265= | Calbhaigh, Loch Eynort | 26 |
| 265= | Eilean Choraidh, Loch Eriboll | 26 |
| 265= | Innis Mhòr | 26[8] |
| 265= | Fladda, Treshnish Isles | 26 |
| 265= | Rabbits islands (south) | 26 |
| 271= | Ceabhaigh | 25 |
| 271= | Eilean Chathastail | 25 |
| 271= | Easdale | 25 |
| 271= | Fodragaigh by Eilean na Cille | 25 |
| 271= | Trialabreac by Eilean na Cille | 25 |
| 276= | Dubh Eilean, Oronsay | 24[Note 35] |
| 276= | Glas Eilean, Lochalsh | 24 |
| 276= | Gualan, South Uist, southwest of Benbecula | 24 |
| 276= | Orsay, Inner Hebrides | 24 |
| 276= | Holm of Huip | 24 |
| 276= | Inchmoan (F) | 24 |
| 276= | Soa Island | 24 |
| 276= | Start Point, Sanday | 24 |
| 284= | Eilean Orasaigh, Loch Erisort | 23 |
| 284= | Flodday near Vatersay | 23 |
| 286 | Inchkeith | 22.9[4][Note 36] |
| 287= | Glas-leac Mor, Summer Isles | 22 |
| 287= | Holm of Scockness | 22 |
| 287= | Sibhinis | 22 |
| 287= | South Ascrib[Note 37] | 22 |
| 287= | Staffin Island | 22 |
| 292= | Dùn, St Kilda | 21 |
| 292= | Eilean Flodigarry | 21 |
| 292= | Eilean nan Each, Muck | 21 |
| 292= | Gaisgeir, Scarp | 21 |
| 292= | Grunay | 21 |
| 292= | Holm of Papa | 21 |
| 292= | Lunga Mhor, Arisaig | 21 |
| 299= | A’ Chuli, Garvellachs | 20 |
| 299= | Eilean an Eireannaich, Loch Laxford | 20 |
| 299= | Eilean Iosal, Kyle of Tongue | 20 |
| 299= | Eilean Leathann, Loch Obasaraigh, North Uist (F) | 20 |
| 299= | Rubha Fiola | 20 |
| 299= | Soyea, Enard Bay | 20 |
| 299= | Uynarey | 20 |
| 299= | Isle of Nibon, Gunnister Voe | 20[8] |
| 307= | Ardwall Isle | 19 |
| 307= | Cliasagh Mor, Loch Maddy | 19 |
| 307= | Eilean Thoraidh, Loch Erisort | 19 |
| 307= | Fiola Meadhonach | 19 |
| 307= | Fladda-chuain | 19 |
| 307= | Garbh Eilean, Kylesku | 19 |
| 307= | Inchcruin (F) | 19 |
| 307= | Linga, Vaila | 19 |
| 307= | Little Roe | 19 |
| 316= | Damsay | 18 |
| 316= | Eilean Dubh, Loch Craignish | 18 |
| 316= | Eilean Dubh Mòr, Loch Sgadabhagh (F) | 18 |
| 316= | Eilean Fada Mor, Summer Isles | 18 |
| 316= | Eilean Mòr, Enard Bay | 18 |
| 316= | Eilean Mòr, MacCormaig Isles | 18 |
| 316= | Gilsaigh | 18 |
| 316= | Luirsaigh Dubh, Loch Skiport | 18 |
| 316= | Oronsay, Loch Bracadale | 18 |
| 316= | Urie Lingey | 18 |
| 326 | Eilean Mòr, Flannan Isles | 17.5[11][Note 38] |
| 327= | Eilean nam Ban, Sound of Iona | 17 |
| 327= | Eilean Mòr, Loch Dunvegan | 17 |
| 327= | Eilean Orasay, Loch Roag | 17 |
| 327= | Gairbh Eilein, Loch Dunvegan | 17 |
| 327= | Huney | 17 |
| 327= | Little Holm, Nesting | 17 |
| 327= | North Havra | 17 |
| 327= | Soay Beg, Harris | 17 |
| 327= | Sweyn Holm | 17 |
| 336= | Brough of Birsay | 16 |
| 336= | Calf of Flotta | 16 |
| 336= | Eilean Beag, Crowlins[5] | 16 |
| 336= | Eilean Chalmain, Ross of Mull | 16 |
| 336= | Eilean Dubh Beag, Firth of Lorn | 16 |
| 336= | Eilean Imersay, Islay | 16 |
| 336= | Eilean na Cille | 16 |
| 336= | Flodaigh Beag, by Flodaigh Mor | 16 |
| 336= | Garbh Reisa | 16 |
| 336= | Haaf Gruney | 16 |
| 336= | Holm of Grimbister | 16 |
| 336= | Lingay, Killegray | 16 |
| 336= | Sioloagh Mòr, Loch Skiport | 16 |
Livinstone's tables has a total of 347 islands and the above ranked list 348. The ranked list:
- Excludes St Ninian's Isle, Eilean an Tighe in the Shiants, Fora Ness & Gluss Isle, none of which are islands as defined above and also Great Britain as irrelevant to the list and Rosinish, the sole example at <15 ha, which gives a total of 341 from Livingston's tables above;
- Includes Dunglass, Moncreiffe and Eilean Mor Lonagavat, all of which freshwater islands appear to be >40 ha, plus Inchkeith, Rainish Eilean Mor, Innis Mhòr and Isle of Nibon gives 348 all told. The list may not include other freshwater islands that are between 15 and 39 ha in extent.
<15 ha edit
Listings are incomplete. All are estimates from Ordnance Survey maps unless otherwise stated.
| Island | Area (ha) | |
| Rosinish | 14[1] | |
| Mugdrum Island | c. 13 | |
| Egilsay, Shetland (West) | c. 13 | |
| Egilsay, Shetland (East) | c. 12 | |
| Risga | 12[12] | |
| Glas-leac Beag | 11[13] | |
| Eilean Bàn, Lochalsh | c. 10 | |
| Fidra | c. 10 | |
| Riska Island | 9.4[14] | |
| Innischonan (F) | c .8 | |
| Threave Castle (F) | c. 8 | |
| Cramond Island | 7.7 | |
| Shillay, Monach Islands | 7.4 | |
| Belnahua | 6 | |
| Eilean Musdile | 4 | |
| Bass Rock | 3 | |
| Lady Isle | 2.3 | |
| Inchgalbraith (F) | >2 | |
| Castle Island | >2 | |
| Dry Island | 1.62 | |
| Cairn na Burgh Mòr | 1.36 | |
| Cairn na Burgh Beag | 1.2 | |
| Eilean Donan | c.1 | |
| Dubh Artach | 0.3 (c. 3,000 m²) (est) | |
| Rockall | 0.06 (570 m²) (est) |
Complex islands edit
Various collections of small islands connected to one another and possibly the local mainland are very hard to estimate areas for as these change with the different stages of the tide.
| Island | Area (ha) | Notes' | Listing' |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliasaigh Mor/Cliasaigh Beag | c. 35 ha | Four islands in Loch Maddy. Livingstone lists Cliasaigh Mor at 19 ha but it is larger at low tide when joined by Cliasaigh Beag and Fearamas | Cliasaigh Mor listed above at 19 ha |
| Crowlin Islands | 270[15] | Three islands all connected at low tide. Haswell-Smith also provides separate areas for Eilean Mòr, Crowlin Islands and Eilean Meadhonach. He also states that the third island, Eilean Beag, is 3 ha although it is clearly much larger and is listed by Livingstone at 16 ha. | All three individual islands listed above |
| Eileanan Chearabhaigh | 49[1] | Several islands off the east coast of Benbecula that are connected to one another and the mainland at low tide. Maximum individual size of c. 32 ha. | Listed above at 32 ha |
| Eileanan Iasgaich | 50[16] | Five main islands in Loch Boisdale that are connected to one another but not the mainland at low tide. | Listed above as one island per H-Smith |
| Lunga, Firth of Lorn | 254 ha | A complex island that splits into several parts at high tide but is not connected to the mainland. Livingstone provides data for some individual portions as follows: Lunga, 250 ha, Fiola Meadhonach 19ha, Rubha Fiola 20 ha. | All three individual islands listed above |
| Maithidh Glas/Maithidh Riabhach | c 15 ha at low tide | Two islets east of Benbecula joined at low tide | Not listed above |
| Maragaidh Mòr/Maragaidh Beag | c 20 at low tide | Several islets east of Benbecula joined at low tide | Not listed above |
| Rabbit Islands | 26 + 28[1] | Two small islands off the north coast that are connected to one another and the mainland at low tide. It is possible that they occasionally become a single island of c. 44 ha. | Listed individually |
| Egilsay, Shetland | c 25 | Two islets at the entrance to Mangaster Voe joined at low tide | Listed individually |
References edit
- Notes
- ^ The exception is Eileanan Iasgaich. Haswell-Smith offers 50 ha for the whole island group at a lower stage of the tide. Livingstone suggests 23 ha, which may or may not be for the largest of the group at high tide. The OS do not provide individual names for the islets although Haswell-Smith states the largest is Eileanan Iasgaich Mòr. For Eileanan Chearabhaigh Livingstone provides a figure of 49 ha which is presumed to be for the whole complex. Consistency is hard to achieve in these cases, especially as there may well be different areas at different phases of the lunar month as well as differing stages of the tide.
- ^ Ranking includes North Uist, Benbecula etc.
- ^ Ranking includes two tidal outliers
- ^ Ranking includes the tidal outlier Oronsay
- ^ Ulva is 19km2 according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ H-Smith ranking includes the tidal outlier Gometra
- ^ Scarba is 15km2 according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ Ranking includes the tidal outlier Torsa
- ^ Ranking includes the tidal outlier Sanday
- ^ The fact that neither the 2001 or 2011 censuses mention South Walls suggests that there is some dubiety about its status as an island. Using the current definition the key question is whether or not this was "land that is surrounded by seawater on a daily basis" prior to the construction of the causeway over the Ayre. The evidence for its island status includes:
- mentioned in Livingstone's tables although at least two other peninsulas - Fore Ness and Gluss Isle, both in Shetland - are also included there;
- the Vision of Britain map " Scotland First Series" of 1856 clearly shows a drying gap between the islands of Hoy and South Walls;
- Jo Ben's 1529 "Descriptions of Orkney" for Wais apparently appears in a list of islands but the wording states: "the island is not large. There is no distinction between Hoy and Wais, but it is one island from the firth receding". This last phrase could be interpreted to mean "at low tide";
- Irvine's reprint of Blaeu's Atlas Novus of 1654 contains various descriptions of Orkney:-
- "the island of Walls, (commonly Waes) J. Blaeu p. 17
- "among them Hoy Walls, whether this is two islands, or one: because about the season of equal day, when the tides goes out, they are joined with waves and sand at a narrow neck as one island; when the tide comes in and the sea is again interposed, the appearance of two lands surrounded by water is produced."A. Melville from Scotia Topgraphia of 1603 p. 63[2]
- ^ Shona is 6 km2 according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ Danna is only 250 ha according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ Rick Livingstone provides data for the individual portions as follows: Lunga, 250ha, Fiola Meadhonach 19ha, Rubha Fiola 20 ha. Haswell-Smith provides 254 ha for the whole.
- ^ 150 ha according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ Haswell-Smith ranking includes other Monach Isles.
- ^ 260 ha according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ 70 ha according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ "The Estate, which comprises of 350 acres of which the majority is on the island but also 50 acres on the mainland".[6] This suggests that they estimate the islands area at circa 120 ha compared to Livingstone's 145 ha, but then they also think that the estate has a "Special area of Scientific Interest". (An Area of Special Scientific Interest is the NI equivalent of an SSSI).
- ^ Livingstone's rank assumes Eilean an Tighe is a separate island.
- ^ Assuming Livingstone has switched the figures for Longa and Horrisdale around.
- ^ 68 ha according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ 77 ha according to Rick Livingstone and Haswell-Smith
- ^ 54 ha according to Rick Livingstone.
- ^ 66 ha according to Rick Livingstone and Haswell-Smith and Gaz., but may exclude Bunglan?
- ^ 100 ha according to Rick Livingstone. This may include rocks submerged at high tide?
- ^ 46 ha by OS estimate. 55 ha according to Rick Livingstone i.e. the same as Ceallasaigh Mòr and thus may be a typo or include land connected at low tide such as the outlying islet of Corr Eilean Keallasay
- ^ Named Seannabhaile by Rick Livingstone.
- ^ 100 ha according to Rick Livingstone, which may include the Dhorlin causeway.
- ^ Rick Livingstone's last number here is 206 and the ranked list is 204. The ranked list gains one vs Livingstone that is ranked higher here (Eileanan Iasgaich) and another that is not on the RL list (Eilean Mòr, Loch Langavat), but loses four (Gluss Isle, St Ninian's, Eilean an Taighe and Fora Ness).
- ^ 45 ha according to Rick Livingstone, OS estimate is 31 ha
- ^ 40 ha according to Rick Livingstone OS estimate is 54 ha
- ^ Rick Livingstone's last number here is 225 and the ranked list is also 225. The ranked list gains two vs Livingstone that are ranked higher here (Eileanan Iasgaich & Fiary) and another three freshwater islands not on the RL list, but loses five (Gluss Isle, St Ninian's, Eilean an Taighe, Eileanan Chearabhaigh and Fora Ness).
- ^ Livingstone has 49 ha for the whole group.
- ^ Livingstone's tables give 1.2km2 for Eilean Horrisdale and 31 ha for Longa Island. Haswell-Smith's figure for Longa is 126 ha and Ordnance Survey maps indicate that Horrisdale is circa 30 ha, so these numbers have presumably been switched by Livingstone in error.
- ^ Presumably the total is included in Haswell-Smith's figure for Oronsay, Inner Hebrides
- ^ Not listed by Livingstone. Haswell-Smith (p. 488) states that it is "about half the size of the Isle of May", which he lists as 45 ha.
- ^ South Ascrib is c.5 ha less at high tide than low tide.
- ^ Livingstone offers 16 ha.
- Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Rick Livingstone’s Tables of the Islands of Scotland (pdf) Argyll Yacht Charters. Retrieved 12 Dec 2011.
- ^ Irvine, James M. (ed.) (2006) The Orkneys and Schetland in Blaeu's Atlas Novus of 1654. Ashtead. James M. Irvine. ISBN 0-9544571-2-9
- ^ a b c d e General Register Office for Scotland. "Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands".
- ^ a b c Gazetteer for Scotland.
- ^ a b c See also Crowlin Islands under 'Complex islands'.
- ^ "Estate". Isle of Eriska Hotel/Wayback Internet Archive. Originally retrieved 18 Dec 2011.
- ^ United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre
- ^ a b c d e f g h Estimate from Ordnance Survey maps.
- ^ Haswell-Smith p. 214 and Rick Livingstone
- ^ Western Isles Native Woodland Restoration Survey Report. (pdf) (2008) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar/SNH. Stornoway. Retrieved 23 January 2010. Page 18
- ^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 330.
- ^ "Risga, Loch Sunart". Canmore. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Glas-leac Beag". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst11323.html
- ^ Haswell-Smith p. 159
- ^ Haswell-Smith p. 233
- General references
- Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- "Rick Livingstone’s Tables of the Islands of Scotland" published by Argyll Yacht Charters , which claims to be a "register of all islands 15 hectares, or more, in area."