Pabay

Pabay is a small, flat island in the Inner Sound off the coast of Skye. It lies two and a half miles north of Broadford and is shaped like a diamond, covered in grass with cliffs on its northern and eastern sides. The island is made of limestone and shale, with rocky reefs that double its size at low tide. Pabay’s highest point is only 28 metres above sea level, making it easy to explore on foot. The name comes from Old Norse and means ‘priest’s isle’, hinting at its past. Remains of a 13th-century chapel still stand near the shore, though little else remains of the old buildings. The island has a long history, with traces of occupation going back to the Mesolithic period. By the 16th century, it appeared on maps and was linked to the Mackinnon family. In the 18th century, Martin Martin wrote about its rich pastures and troublesome flies that drove cows to Skye. A single farm has operated on the west side since at least the 1860s, and the island even issues its own postage stamps. The ruins of the chapel include a small semicircular structure, possibly an altar, though its purpose is uncertain. Visitors find a quiet island with varied landscapes—heath, grassland, marshes and woodland. Wildflowers, herbs and grasses cover the ground, while otters, seals and many bird species live here. A small jetty marks the south-west corner, where boats can anchor. The island’s flat terrain makes walking easy, and the cliffs offer views over the Inner Sound. The remains of the chapel and the old farm buildings add a sense of history. Pabay’s wildlife and peaceful setting make it a place to explore slowly.