Killegray

Killegray is an island of around 389 acres in the Sound of Harris, the channel between North Uist and Harris in the Outer Hebrides. It is about a mile and a half long, and its only house, 19th-century Killegray House, is now a holiday home. In 2022 one person was recorded as living here.

Landscape

Killegray’s south end is almost all deep, uncultivated moss, while the north has better land that was once farmed. The island lies among the islands and reefs of the Sound of Harris, with Ensay just to the north and Berneray to the west, and views across the turquoise water to the hills of Harris. The shallow waters and reefs around it are a rich breeding ground for velvet crabs and lobsters.

History

At Rubha Claidhe, in the north of the island, are the ruins of a chapel, Teampull na h-Annait, which may be the origin of the island’s name. A family of between three and eight people lived on Killegray from 1841 to 1931, and two people were living here at the 1971 census. Killegray House was renovated as holiday accommodation in 1991.

For now, the islands remain linked only by boat, and the ferry between Berneray and Leverburgh weaves through the sound.

More about Killegray

There have been proposals to build a combination of bridges and causeways across the Sound of Harris, from Berneray via Killegray and Ensay to Harris, possibly with wind turbines and tidal generators built in, at an estimated cost of £75 million or more. For now, the islands remain linked only by boat, and the ferry between Berneray and Leverburgh weaves through the sound.

Visiting

There is no public ferry to Killegray. It can be seen from the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry between Berneray and Leverburgh, and from the south coast of Harris. You can collect Killegray as a landing or a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

The Sound of Harris is excellent for Grey Seal, Harbour Seal and Eurasian Otter, and you may see Common Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise from the ferry. Look out for Arctic Tern, eider and Oystercatcher. Other islands nearby include Ensay, Sgarabhaigh, Berneray and Sursaigh.