Glenelg (Gleann Eilg in Gaelic) is a quiet village in Skye and Lochalsh, Highland, in western Scotland. Its only access is via the 339m Bealach (pass) Ratagain from Shiel Bridge on the main Inverness to Skye road. It is situated by the Kyle Rhea narrows, where Skye is closest to the mainland, where the local ferry service continues to run with the likelihood of being purchased by a local Community Interest Company in the near future. Glenelg attracts some tourists, particularly to see the nearby remains of two of the best-preserved brochs (Dun Telve and Dun Troddan) on mainland Scotland, but remains unspoilt.
Its proximity to Skye meant that Glenelg was formerly of more strategic importance. Cattle reared on Skye were routinely made to swim to the mainland before being herded to market along the drovers road to Kinlochhourn and on to the Lowlands. Following the initial Jacobite risings, Glenelg was chosen as one of four sites in the highlands for a military barracks. These were completed in 1725 and a military road soon linked Glenelg to the rest of General George Wade's road network. Ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the 1745 uprising, and not needed after the Highland Clearances, the ruins of Bernera Barracks still stand.
A person from Glenelg is known in Gaelic as an Glenelgrishian.
Glenelg is noteworthy for being a placename which is a palindrome and also for being the only plural Glen name.
Sandaig
The famous retreat of the author, Gavin Maxwell (known as Camusfearna in his books), is about six miles south west of Glenelg. The Sandaig Islands are a small group of islets just off the point in the Sound of Sleat.
Encyclopedia
top
