Fraoch-eilean is a small island with an uncertain population north of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is about 55 hectares (140 acres) in extent and the highest point is 11 metres (36 ft). Its name derives from the Gaelic for "heather island".

Fraoch-Eilean

Scottish Gaelic name	Fraoch-eilean
Meaning of name	"heather island"
Location
Fraoch-Eilean Fraoch-Eilean shown within Scotland
OS grid reference	NF858581
Coordinates	57.50°N 7.25°W / 57.50; -7.25
Physical geography
Island group	Uists and Barra
Area	55 ha[1]
Area rank	189= [2]
Highest elevation	Cnoc Mòr, 11 m (36 ft)[3]
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Na h-Eileanan Siar
Demographics
Population	No estimate available

It is connected to Grimsay by a causeway and there is a settlement called Seana Bhaile (Scottish Gaelic: old village). North Uist is to the north and the North Ford causeway to the west. The small islets of Eilean Roinoch and Màs Grimsay lie just offshore to the east. 19th and early 20th century Ordnance Survey maps show the island name as Seanabaily.[4]

Population

The island was not listed in either the 2001 census as being inhabited,[5] or in the 2011 census[6] although it is clear from both maps[3] and photographic evidence[7][8] that there is a resident population. The problems of defining islands in this part of the Hebrides are considerable[9] and it is likely that the population was recorded as being part of Grimsay itself, which has a population of 169 (in 2011). Thus, it has not been possible to provide either an estimate of the total or to rank the island relative to other Scottish islands.[10] Ordnance Survey maps indicate a total of about a dozen buildings[3] and a population in the range 10–35 is likely.^{[original research?]}

References

• Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.

Footnotes