Èirisgeigh (Eriskay)

Èirisgeigh is a small, low‑lying island in Na h-Eileanan Siar of the Outer Hebrides, sitting between South Uist and Barra. It’s famed for its sweeps of machair and white sandy beaches, a compact crofting and fishing landscape, and a strong Gaelic culture; the island was linked to South Uist by a causeway in 2001 which changed transport and access for the local community.

Despite its modest size, Èirisgeigh punches above its weight historically and culturally: it gave its name to the rare Eriskay pony and was closely associated with the 1941 grounding of the SS Politician, an episode that inspired the novel and film Whisky Galore. Today the island remains a tight-knit community where Gaelic, traditional music and crafts, and seasonal tourism all play a part in sustaining local life.