The name Oronsay means "tidal island". There are 20 islands with variations of this name in the Hebrides, including another one - Ornsay - off Skye. This Oronsay is located a mile from the nearest parking at Ullinish in the north west of Skye. It is accessed over a rocky but not seaweedy (and therefore not slippery) causeway, which is only covered for a couple of hours either side of high tide. There is a clear path to the island from the parking area but it is very boggy in places, so walking boots are recommended! Oronsay itself is not boggy, which was a surprise. In fact the quality of the grass looked much better than on the surrounding parts of Skye. However I could see no evidence that the island had been grazed recently by cattle or sheep. I have not been able to find much about the island's history and could see no evidence of human habitation in the past.
The island is more interesting than I expected it to be. The highest point on the island is 74 metres above sea level, giving some dramatic cliffs, which drop vertically to the sea on the north west and south west coasts.
I visited on a damp but mild day but was surprised to find at least 10 other people exploring the island. Maybe it is the only place on Skye where you can walk without falling into a bog or having to climb an enormous mountain!
Looking north
Looking south east
Looking south
Dramatic cliffs
Causeway from Skye
Tarner in the distance
If you look very carefully you can just make out a natural arch
Causeway seen from Oronsay
Geo on south east coast
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