Seaforth Island

Seaforth Island, in Gaelic Eilean Shìphoirt, or Mulag, is an uninhabited island of around 675 acres in Loch Seaforth, a long, narrow, fjord-like sea loch on the boundary between Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Unlike most Hebridean islands, which are surrounded by open sea, it lies deep inside the loch, around eight kilometres from the open waters of the Minch, enclosed by mountains on every side.

Landscape

Seaforth Island is rocky and hilly, with poor soil that supports only rough grazing. Loch Seaforth winds inland between steep hillsides, with the mountains of North Harris rising to the west, including Clisham, the highest peak in the Outer Hebrides, and the hills of Park, in south-east Lewis, to the east. It is one of the most dramatic and peaceful landscapes in the Hebrides.

History

There are no census records of anyone living on Seaforth Island in recent times. In the 19th century, the area around Loch Seaforth was the subject of border disputes between the counties of Ross-shire, which then included Lewis, and Inverness-shire, which included Harris. In 1851 the disputes were settled by the unusual decision to allocate the whole of Seaforth Island to both counties at once, a situation that lasted until local government was reorganised in 1975. The loch also gave its name to the Earls of Seaforth, the Mackenzie chiefs who once owned Lewis.

Loch Seaforth is one of the longest sea lochs in the Outer Hebrides, reaching deep into the hills.

More about Seaforth Island

Loch Seaforth is one of the longest sea lochs in the Outer Hebrides, reaching deep into the hills. The road between Stornoway and Tarbert runs along its western shore at Ardvourlie, giving travellers some of the finest views on the island of Lewis and Harris.

Visiting

There is no ferry to Seaforth Island. It can be seen from the A859 between Stornoway and Tarbert, near Ardvourlie, and from the head of the loch at Seaforth Head. You can collect Seaforth Island as a landing or a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

Loch Seaforth is a great place to look for Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, Red Deer and Eurasian Otter. Look out for Harbour Seal, Red-throated Diver and Black Guillemot. Other islands nearby include Sgeotasaigh, Scalpay, Soay Mòr, Soay Beag, Eilean Liubhaird and Taransay.