Eigg

Eigg

Gaelic name	Eige
Pronunciation	[ˈekʲə]
Norse name	Unknown
Meaning of name	Scottish Gaelic for 'notched island' (eag)
An Sgurr
Location
Eigg Eigg shown within Lochaber
OS grid reference	NM476868
Coordinates	56°54′N 6°09′W / 56.9°N 6.15°W / 56.9; -6.15
Physical geography
Island group	Small Isles
Area	3,049 hectares (11.8 sq mi)
Area rank	28
Highest elevation	An Sgurr 393 metres (1,289 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Highland
Demographics
Population	83
Population rank	47
Pop. density	2.7 people/km2
Largest settlement	Cleadale
References

Eigg Lighthouse
Eilean Chathastail

Eilean Chathastail lighthouse viewed from the Mallaig-Eigg ferry.
Location	Eilean Chathastail Eigg Inner Hebrides Scotland United Kingdom
Coordinates	56°52′15″N 6°07′17″W / 56.870913°N 6.121394°W / 56.870913; -6.121394
Year first constructed	1906
Construction	metal tower
Tower shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern	white tower and lantern
Height	8 metres (26 ft)
Focal height	24 metres (79 ft)
Light source	solar power
Characteristic	Fl W 6s.
Admiralty number	A4080
NGA number	4012
ARLHS number	SCO-066
Managing agent	Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust

Eigg (/ɛɡ/; Scottish Gaelic: Eige, [ˈekʲə]) is one of the Small Isles, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of the Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) long from north to south, and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east to west. With an area of 12 square miles (31 km²), it is the second largest of the Small Isles after Rùm.

Notably, Eigg generates virtually 100% of its electricity using renewable energy.

The main settlement on Eigg is Cleadale, a fertile coastal plain in the north west. It is known for its quartz beach, called the "singing sands" (Tràigh a' Bhìgeil) on account of the squeaking noise it makes if walked on when dry.

The centre of the island is a moorland plateau, rising to 393 metres (1,289 ft) at An Sgurr, a dramatic stump of pitchstone, sheer on three sides. Walkers who complete the easy scramble to the top in good weather are rewarded with spectacular views all round of Mull, Coll, Muck, the Outer Hebrides, Rùm, Skye, and the mountains of Lochaber on the mainland.