Elgol (Scottish Gaelic: Ealaghol) is a village on the shores of Loch Scavaig towards the end of the Strathaird peninsula in the Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Highlands.

Elgol
The village hall in Elgol
Elgol is located in Isle of Skye
Elgol
Elgol
Location within the Isle of Skye
Area101 km2 (39 sq mi)
Population168 (2011)
• Density2/km2 (5.2/sq mi)
OS grid referenceNG521142
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townISLE OF SKYE
Postcode districtIV49
Dialling code01471
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°09′07″N 6°05′53″W / 57.152°N 6.098°W / 57.152; -6.098

Name

edit

According to tradition, its name derives from a battle fought with five ships by Aella, a follower of Vortigern, against the Picts and Scots ("Aella-gol").[1]

History

edit

The Strathaird peninsula was historically a heartland of the MacKinnons, a robustly Jacobite clan. On 4 July 1746, the Young Pretender found sanctuary at Elgol in the course of his wanderings under the protection of MacKinnon of MacKinnon and Captain John MacKinnon of Elgol. The cave where he is said to have waited for a boat to the mainland ("Prince Charlie’s cave", or "Uamh Phrionnsa") can still be visited today, a short walk to the south of the village.[2]

edit
 
Jazz Buchanan's Highland Cow

Present day

edit

The village had a considerably higher population prior to the Clearances. It now has a population of approximately 150.[3] Elgol's scenic attractions have drawn in many outsiders seeking holiday homes and a majority of the properties there are no longer occupied on a year-round basis. In the 2011 census, 31% of the residents were reported as speaking Gaelic.[4]

The village is also a terminal for two privately owned boat trips to Loch Coruisk and the Small Isles along with a coffee shop, Bistro and Coruisk House Michelin Guide restaurant.

References

edit
  1. ^ Cooper, Derek (1983). Skye. Routledge. p. 52.
  2. ^ Blaikie, Walter (1897). Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Edinburgh: Scottish History Society. p. 55.
  3. ^ Scotland census results, 2001
  4. ^ "Scottish Census 2011". Scotland's Census. Output area: S00118018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
edit