Handa Island
Island off the west coast of Sutherland, Scotland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Handa Island (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Shannda) or usually Handa, is an island in Eddrachillis Bay off the west coast of Sutherland, Scotland. It is 309 hectares (760 acres)[2] and 123 metres (404 ft) at its highest point.[6]
Scottish Gaelic name | Eilean Shannda |
---|---|
Old Norse name | Sandey |
Meaning of name | sand isle[1][2] |
Location | |
OS grid reference | NC138480 |
Coordinates | 58.380°N 05.186°W / 58.380; -05.186 |
Physical geography | |
Island group | Inner Hebrides/Islands of Sutherland |
Area | 309 hectares (1+3⁄16 sq mi) |
Area rank | 87= [3] |
Highest elevation | Sithean Mòr 123 m (404 ft) |
Administration | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
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References | [4][5][6] |
The island is of national importance for its birdlife and maritime vegetation, and is a Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Special Protection Area (SPA).[7][8] Handa also forms part of the North-West Sutherland national scenic area, one of 40 such areas in Scotland.[9]
A small ferry sails to Handa from Tarbet on the mainland and boat trips operate to it from Fanagmore. The island receives five thousand visitors per annum.[10]