Old travel Blog photograph of Scolpaig Tower on the Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The name probably derives from the Old Norse scolpvik, or Scolp Bay, a scolp being a large Hebridean vessel, probably relating to the nearby bay where such boats may have landed. It was built in about 1830 by Dr Alexander MacLeod, who was the factor of the North Uist estate. It was erected to provide employment for the purpose of famine relief. Built over an Iron Age dun on a small islet in Loch Scolpaig, the Gothic style folly has an octagonal footprint and appears as a two storey structure surmounted by a crenellated parapet. The tower is surrounded by a low stone wall that was probably constructed at the same time. The original dun has disappeared entirely. Today the tower is open to the elements and serves as a nesting place for birds. North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island. North Uist was hit hard during the Highland Clearances, and there was large scale emigration from the island to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. North Uist surnames affected during the clearances were the MacAulay, Morrison, MacCodrum, MacCuish, and MacDonald. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.
No comments:
Post a Comment