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Ronay
Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ronay (Scottish Gaelic: Rònaigh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, which lies a short distance off the east coast of Grimsay.
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Geography
Ronay has a highly indented coastline with Bàgh nan Uamh being the biggest up in the north west. The island is surrounded by many smaller ones including Eilean na Cloiche in the south east, Eilean an Fhèidh in the east, Flodaigh Mòr in the north east, Haunaray to the north, and Garbh Eilean Mòr between it and Grimsay.[3]
The north forms a peninsula called Rònaigh Beag, or little Ronay. The central section contains some seven or more lochs, which provide a freshwater supply.
The entire island is rough, covered in outcrops and knolls, which may have been partly eroded by overgrazing. There are three main peaks, the Beinn Rodagraich range 99 metres (325 ft) in the south, the Beinn a' Chàrnain range in the east 115 metres (377 ft) which incorporates Cnoc Mòr and Beinn an t-Sagairt, and the third in Ronaigh Beag, which rises to 74 metres (243 ft).[3]
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History
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Like many Scottish islands, Ronay appears to have ancient Celtic church connections. In the north west, there is a headland (Rubha) and mountain (Beinn) of the priest (an t-sagairt), and a Rubha na Manach (monk's headland) in the south west. Martin Martin also mentions a chapel:
- "in the Island Rona, called the Low-landers Chappel, because Seamen who dye in times of Fishing, are buried in that place."[3]
This chapel was pre-Reformation. It is also possible that the island's name refers to St Ronan, as that of North Rona does. In the centre, there are several names related to "Druidhneach" (possibly druids), such as Loch nan Druidhneach. Such names often refer to Neolithic remains.[3]
Other historical references occur in the island's names, such as Bàgh Clann Neill in the west, Rubha Creag Mhic Fhionnlaigh and Bàgh na h-Eireannach in the north.
In 1826, there were 180 living on the island, but in 1831, the whole population was cleared to make way for sheep farming. See Highland Clearances. However, by 1841, 9 people were recorded, who may have moved back. The island was abandoned for good in 1931.[3]
In the early 19th century, Ronay was re-settled as part of the kelping boom, with up to 200 people living on the island, working in a strong seaweed harvesting community. The kelp industry, vital in the 18th and 19th centuries for the production of soap, glass, and fertiliser, led to the establishment of 26 crofts with 27 families recorded by 1814, and the community continued to grow, reaching 180 people by 1823, when a school was set up for the children. The remains of this school are still visible on one of the peninsulas, a testament to the organised community life built around kelp harvesting. Processed kelp was exchanged for money to pay rents and purchase essential supplies, with seaweed harvested along Ronay's shores and processed in kelp kilns situated near the settlements.[6]
However, with the introduction of newer technologies, the need for kelp declined, leading to a collapse in the kelp industry, which contributed to the island's gradual depopulation. By 1833/4, the tenants were paying rent directly to the North Uist Estate, and by 1841, nearly all families had left, marking the end of Ronay’s kelping era.[6]
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Current Management
As of July 2025, the island is co-owned by Andrew Marshall, founder of the Carlowrie Group, and a business partner. The owners have initiated an environmental project focused on increasing the island's biodiversity. The group has introduced a rewilding and biodiversity plan, including a comprehensive deer management programme, habitat restoration, and long-term biodiversity monitoring, with the aim of supporting a more natural ecological balance and enhancing carbon capture on the land.[7][8][9]
References
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