The Old Mill (c/o Ann Bowker)

Strip Cultivation (c/o Ann Bowker)

-- Where is it ? --

The island of Taransay lies just over a mile across the Sound of Taransay from South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. About four miles wide and three miles long Taransay's reaches a a peak of nearly 900ft on top of Ben Raah.

-- History --

Taransay had a population high of 88 in 1941 but by 1942 was all but abandoned. The island's main settlement was to be found at Paible, close to both St Keith's and St Taran's Chapels. According to local tradition only men were buried at St Keiths and women at St Tarans. Once this practice was ignored and a mixed burial took place in one of the graveyards. The following morning one of the bodies was found lying on the surface of the ground next to the grave !!

In the early 1960's life returned to Taransay but by 1974 it was once again abandoned. The island although having no permanent population still has human habitation, if only for a few months of the year, thanks to two holiday cottages on the island. Back in 2000 Taransay was the setting for the BBC Television survival programme Castaway.

Although there may not be many people on Taransay these days it is home to plenty of Minks !! The mink which is a strong swimmer has established itself on the island and are now attacking ground-nesting birds. In 2003 Stirling University started co-ordinating a research project to radio track the mink with a view to finding a way of eradicating them.

-- Books --

Most books listed will be available from any on-line book seller such as Amazon. For books specifically on the Western Isles there is a bookshop in Stornoway called Baltic Bookshop which is well worth a visit.

	The Isle Of Taransay - Bill Lawson Local historian Bill Lawson has produced many books on his beloved Western Isles. This one gives as full a history of Taransay as you're likely to find anywhere. This book can be purchased direct from Bills website.
	Castaway - Mark McCrum This is the full, in-depth story of one extraordinary year in which 32 people set off to build a self-sustaining community on the island of Taransay and under the gaze of TV cameras and an audience of 8 million people. Mark McCrum visited the island frequently and became a confidante to many of the castaways: this is their story.

-- DVD's & Videos --

None available to my knowledge....please contact lonely-isles if you know of any and we'll add them to the site !!

-- Links --

Visit Taransay - The islands may have lost it's permanent community but you could be part of a temporary one for at least a week by staying on one of two superb looking cottages on the island !!

Trip To Taransay - Excellent collection of pictures of a trip to Taransay by Ann Bowker. Ann has supplied pictures for several pages on Lonely Isles and once again she has provided us with a superb set of images.

Landscape Stock Photo Library - As usual from Colin Palmers a quality collection of pictures of Taransay available to view and purchase.

Allan Moar Aerial Pictures - Several stunning images of the Western Isles including a spectacular shot of Taransay. Was going to include the picture on this page but decided you're best seeing it on a visit to Allans superb site which is one of the best on the net.

Taransay History - A well put together page of Taransay history featuring some interesting facts and photographs.