Two islands in the Pentland Firth have similar names - Stroma and Swona. They have Old Norse origins with the former referring to the 'streams' or 'currents' and the latter to the 'swine' that were kept there. Both islands are now depopulated, although there remain visible signs of the formerly-occupied houses and a few examples of the boats that were in service. Above is all that is left of the Hood, built on Swona, and below is a vessel now close to house number 28 on Stroma. Lifelines at one time; now deadstock. The livestock on Swona survive, however, in the form of feral cattle which were not moved when the island was abandoned in 1974. Lost worlds, indeed.
Scottish Islands Explorer - for living settlements and places now lost
No comments:
Post a Comment