Eilean an Taighe

Before the 1820s, the island was called Eilean na Cille ("church island"), and there is evidence of a church, possibly dedicated to the Virgin Mary, near the site of the present cottage. Eilean Mhuire, one of the other islands in the Shiants, also takes its name from Mary. In the mid-18th century, 40 people were living there, but by 1770 they had all left. In the 1820s a shepherd and his wife were resident, but, by 1842, they too had gone. From 1862 to 1901, another shepherd, Donald Campbell, and his wife and two daughters lived there. The daughters, Mòr and Catriona, were apparently very beautiful, and attracted the attention of visiting fishermen and yachtsmen alike.