Fladda-chùain

Fladda-chùain, or Fladaigh Chùain, is an island of the Inner Hebrides north of the Trotternish peninsula of Skye. It is the major island of the Fladda-chùain group between Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

Name

The name of the island derives from Old Norse Flatey, meaning a "flat island", and Cuan, a Scottish Gaelic word meaning "ocean" (or bay in Irish and Old Gaelic). The latter probably refers to the Minch, which is known as An Cuan Sgìth ("Ocean of Skye") or Cuan na Hearadh ("Ocean of Harris"). The suffix is also added to distinguish this island from the many others with similar names.

History

Fladda-chùain is the subject of some legends.

There are the ruins of a chapel here, said to have been founded by one "O' Gorgon" in the days of St. Columba, and/or dedicated to him. It is said also that MacDonald of the Isles hid his deeds here prior to the Jacobite rising of 1715.

The last known inhabitant was known as "Am Muileach Mòr", which means either "the Big Mullman", or the "man of the headland".