Oronsay

Oronsay is a small tidal island in Loch Bracadale on the west coast of Skye. It lies about one kilometre long and 220 metres wide, running north-east to south-west. At low tide the sea drops below four metres and a narrow rocky causeway, roughly 200 metres long, links Oronsay to Ullinish Point on Skye. The island’s name comes from Old Norse and means ‘tidal island’. Its eastern side is low grassland while the western side rises to cliffs up to 72 metres high. The western cliffs face the Atlantic and look out to Idrigill Point and Macleod’s Maidens. Beyond them lies the larger island of Wiay about 0.8 miles to the north-west. Behind Wiay the flat-topped hills called Macleod’s Tables rise above the Duirinish Peninsula. Further north-west, about 2.7 miles away, is Harlosh Island, and to the east of Harlosh is Tarner Island about 1.7 miles north-west of Wiay. Below the western cliffs of Oronsay are small sea stacks and several caves along the coast. These caves are mostly only reachable by boat. The island is well known as a hiking destination, with paths that follow the grassland on the eastern side and climb the cliffs on the western side.