Isle of Skye

Skye

Gaelic name	An t-Eilean Sgitheanach
Pronunciation	[əɲ tʰʲelan s̪kʲiə.anəx]
Norse name	Skíð
Meaning of name	Etymology unclear
Location
Skye Skye shown within Scotland
OS grid reference	NG452319
Coordinates	57°18′25″N 6°13′48″W / 57.307°N 6.230°W / 57.307; -6.230Coordinates: 57°18′25″N 6°13′48″W / 57.307°N 6.230°W / 57.307; -6.230
Physical geography
Island group	Skye
Area	1,656 km2 (639 sq mi)
Area rank	2
Highest elevation	Sgùrr Alasdair 993 metres (3,258 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Highland
Demographics
Population	10,008
Population rank	4
Population density	6.04 people/km2
Largest settlement	Portree
References

Skye, or the Isle of Skye (/skaɪ/; Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or Eilean a' Cheò), is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. Although it has been suggested that the Gaelic Sgitheanach describes a winged shape there is no definitive agreement as to the name's origins.

The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic period, and its history includes a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald. The 18th-century Jacobite risings led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances that replaced entire communities with sheep farms, some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands. Resident numbers declined from over 20,000 in the early 19th century to just under 9,000 by the closing decade of the 20th century. Skye's population increased by 4 per cent between 1991 and 2001. About a third of the residents were Gaelic speakers in 2001, and although their numbers are in decline, this aspect of island culture remains important.

The main industries are tourism, agriculture, fishing and forestry. Skye is part of the Highland Council local government area. The island's largest settlement is Portree, known for its picturesque harbour. There are links to various nearby islands by ferry and, since 1995, to the mainland by a road bridge. The climate is mild, wet and windy. The abundant wildlife includes the golden eagle, red deer and Atlantic salmon. The local flora is dominated by heather moor, and there are nationally important invertebrate populations on the surrounding sea bed. Skye has provided the locations for various novels and feature films and is celebrated in poetry and song.