Shieldaig

Shieldaig (Scottish Gaelic: Sìldeag; Old Norse: síld-vík, lit. 'herring bay')^[1] is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands, in the Scottish council area of Highland.^[2]

Shieldaig Scottish Gaelic: Sìldeag Scots: Shieldaig
Shieldaig looking north along the sea-front
Shieldaig Location within the Ross and Cromarty area
OS grid reference	NG815539
Civil parish	Applecross
Council area	Highland
Lieutenancy area	Ross and Cromarty
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Strathcarron
Postcode district	IV54
Dialling code	01520
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Scottish Parliament	Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
List of places UK Scotland 57.521°N 5.651°W / 57.521; -5.651

Geography and history

The village was founded in 1800^[3] with a view to training up seamen for war against Napoleon. After his (initial) defeat and exile to Elba, the community found itself a new role as a fishing village. The small island just offshore never had its tall pines harvested to rig warships, and has now become a nature sanctuary.

The name of the village is derived from the Old Norse síld-vík, meaning 'herring bay'.^[1]

Shieldaig is a community of around 85 people,^[4] with its own school, a small pub, a village hall, a church and two restaurants. It is much used as a holiday destination, attracting those interested in fishing, touring the North Coast 500 or explorers of the Torridon Hills, which are a few miles around the coast.

Shieldaig holds a community fête in the second weekend of August.

Education

It is in the catchment area of Gairloch High School.^[5]

Another Shieldaig

12 miles (19 kilometres) to the north lies another Shieldaig, a small settlement on the south shore of Loch Gairloch.^[4]

Shieldaig from above

See also

• Shieling