Staffin Island

Staffin Island lies in Staffin Bay off the Trotternish peninsula on Skye’s east coast. Known also as Stenscholl Island or Fladdaidh, it is an uninhabited islet surrounded by calm waters. The view from the shore shows low cliffs and patches of grass where seabirds nest. The island sits close enough to the mainland that on clear days its outline is sharp against the sky. Its small size and quiet presence make it easy to overlook. Yet this quiet spot holds a living tradition that reaches back centuries. The island may be the last place in Scotland where crofters still move cattle by swimming. In early spring and again in October, cattle are encouraged from Staffin Island to Skye and back. Crofter Iain MacDonald once swam beside the animals himself. Now he uses a boat to guide them safely across the short stretch of water. The tune “The Hut on Staffin Island” by Phil Cunningham keeps the memory of the island alive in music. Visitors who walk the shore at Staffin Bay can watch seals resting on the rocks. The island’s grassy slopes slope gently down to the water’s edge. On windless days the crossing looks simple, but the tides can change quickly. The scene is peaceful, with only the cries of gulls and the lap of waves. For those who know the story, the island becomes more than a patch of land—it is a living link to old ways.