Risga is an uninhabited[2] island in between Càrna and Oronsay, in the centre of Loch Sunart,[3] about 800 yards (730 m) from the north shore,[4] in the council area of Highland, Scotland. Its area is 12 hectares (30 acres)[1] and its highest elevation is 43 metres (141 ft).[2] In 1950, over 50 pairs of Lesser black-backed gull were recorded.[5] The island is included in the grounds of Glenborrodale Castle[6] and is part of Sunart SSSI.[7] Ross Rock is located about 200 yards (180 m) from Risga.[8] Risga has at least 60 crotagans along the east coast, used for fishing.[9] Risga is a rocky island.[10]
Risga seen from Càrna | |
Location | |
---|---|
OS grid reference | NM6105760026 |
Coordinates | 56°40′15″N 5°54′06″W / 56.670754°N 5.9016713°W |
Physical geography | |
Island group | Inner Hebrides |
Area | 12 hectares (0.05 sq mi)[1] |
Highest elevation | 43m[2] |
Administration | |
Council area | Highland |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
History
editThe name "Risga" is Norse[11] and includes the Old Norse word for island.[12] In 1920–21 some Mesolithic materials were recovered during the excavation of a kitchen. They are now in the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.[1] There is a shell midden, a scheduled monument that is at least 30 by 10 metres (100 by 30 ft), which is visible as a grass-covered mound.[13][14] The shell heap is on top of a raised beach, similar to those at Oronsay.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Risga, Loch Sunart". Canmore. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Risga". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ The Scottish Islands: The Bestselling Guide to Every Scottish Island. Hamish Haswell-Smith. 2015. p. 128. ISBN 9781782116783. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- ^ "Sailing Directions for the West Coast of Scotland: Mull of Galloway to Cape Wrath Including the Hebrides". U.S. Government Printing Office, 1951. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Atlantic Seabirds: Quarterly Journal of the Seabird Group and of the Dutch Seabird Group, Volumes 1-4". Seabird Group, 1999. 1999. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Glenborrodale Castle". Bell Ingram. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Loch Sunart" (PDF). Forestry Commission Scotland. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "Sailing Directions for the West Coast of Scotland: Mull of Galloway to Cape Wrath Including the Hebrides". U.S. Government Printing Office, 1951. 1951. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Bait Hole(S)". Canmore. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ "OS1/2/61/99". ScotlandPlaces. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- ^ "The place-names of Argyll" (PDF). Electric Scotland. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, Volume 54". Inverness Gaelic Society. 1987. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Risga, shell midden and related structures on SE side of island (SM7829)". Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Risga". Glasgow Museums Collections Online. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ The Irish Stone Age: Its Chronology, Development & Relationships. Rhinns of Galloway, Wigtownshire. 1942. ISBN 9781001408668. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
External links
edit- Media related to Risga at Wikimedia Commons