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Risga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Risga
Risga seen from Càrna
Risga seen from Càrna
Location
Risga is located in Highland
Risga
Risga
Risga shown within Highland
OS grid referenceNM6105760026
Coordinates56°40′15″N 5°54′06″W / 56.670754°N 5.9016713°W / 56.670754; -5.9016713
Physical geography
Island groupInner Hebrides
Area12 hectares (0.05 sq mi)[1]
Highest elevation43m[2]
Administration
Council areaHighland
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad

Risga is an uninhabited[2] island in between Càrna and Oronsay, in the centre of Loch Sunart,[3] about 800 yards (730 m) from the north shore,[4] in the council area of Highland, Scotland. Its area is 12 hectares (30 acres)[1] and its highest elevation is 43 metres (141 ft).[2] In 1950, over 50 pairs of Lesser black-backed gull were recorded.[5] The island is included in the grounds of Glenborrodale Castle[6] and is part of Sunart SSSI.[7] Ross Rock is located about 200 yards (180 m) from Risga.[8] Risga has at least 60 crotagans along the east coast, used for fishing.[9] Risga is a rocky island.[10]

History

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The name "Risga" is Norse[11] and includes the Old Norse word for island.[12] In 1920–21 some Mesolithic materials were recovered during the excavation of a kitchen. They are now in the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.[1] There is a shell midden, a scheduled monument that is at least 30 by 10 metres (100 by 30 ft), which is visible as a grass-covered mound.[13][14] The shell heap is on top of a raised beach, similar to those at Oronsay.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Risga, Loch Sunart". Canmore. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Risga". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  3. ^ The Scottish Islands: The Bestselling Guide to Every Scottish Island. Hamish Haswell-Smith. 2015. p. 128. ISBN 9781782116783. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Sailing Directions for the West Coast of Scotland: Mull of Galloway to Cape Wrath Including the Hebrides". U.S. Government Printing Office, 1951. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Atlantic Seabirds: Quarterly Journal of the Seabird Group and of the Dutch Seabird Group, Volumes 1-4". Seabird Group, 1999. 1999. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Glenborrodale Castle". Bell Ingram. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Loch Sunart" (PDF). Forestry Commission Scotland. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  8. ^ "Sailing Directions for the West Coast of Scotland: Mull of Galloway to Cape Wrath Including the Hebrides". U.S. Government Printing Office, 1951. 1951. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Bait Hole(S)". Canmore. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  10. ^ "OS1/2/61/99". ScotlandPlaces. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  11. ^ "The place-names of Argyll" (PDF). Electric Scotland. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, Volume 54". Inverness Gaelic Society. 1987. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  13. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Risga, shell midden and related structures on SE side of island (SM7829)". Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Risga". Glasgow Museums Collections Online. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  15. ^ The Irish Stone Age: Its Chronology, Development & Relationships. Rhinns of Galloway, Wigtownshire. 1942. ISBN 9781001408668. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
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  • Media related to Risga at Wikimedia Commons