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Archiver > SCT-ISLAY > 2004-07 > 1088848633


From: "Iain Sinclair" <>
Subject: Re: [SCT-ISLAY] Island of Scarba
Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2004 10:57:13 +0100
References: <001d01c46073$039f65e0$d3297ad5@dodo>


Hello Dorothy,
The population figures I have for Scarba are:
1794 - 50 (14 families)
1881 - 19
1891 - 9
1931 - 5
1961 - 5
There has been only occasional habitation since the 1960's.

The island looks like the top of a mountain sticking up out of the sea. It
rises to 449 metres and is 3,642 acres in area.
Scarba is owned by the family of the late Lord Duncan Sandys, at one time a
government minister and who, if I recollect correctly, was married to
Churchill's daughter. The family occasionally visit and stay at Kilmory
Lodge, the only substantial house on the island. (This was correct in 1996 -
I don't have an update)
There is a small cottage or bothy near the SE corner which I believe has
been used as an adventure school in summer. There are numerous caves round
the steep and rocky coastline.
Sheep and Luing cattle are grazed on the island.

It is probably best known for the Gulf of Corryvreckan, and its notorious
whirlpool, which lies to the South between Scarba and the north end of Jura.
The tide runs through the Gulf, west on the flood and east on the ebb, at
speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and apart from the whirlpool generates a
standing wave which in certain weather conditions can be 10 metres in
height. I have sailed through several times, but only at slack water and in
settled weather.
The narrow gap between the north of Scarba and the south of Lunga is known
as the "Grey Dogs" and is even more treacherous.

I hope this is of some help.
Iain Sinclair


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