Location I - Calvay Island: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

About

HISTORY

Neil MacEachain's Narrative of the Wanderings of Prince Charles in the Hebrides:

"When it was near day he asked Neil whether it was possible to find any meat, who told him it was impracticable, whereupon he roused up the rest, and got into the boat and rowed to Calvay, a small island near the entry of Loch Boisdale, within three long miles of Boisdale's house. They were no sooner landed and the tent made, than Neil posted off immediately to Boisdale's house for provisions; when he arrived, he found all the family in bed, and having knocked them up, he acquainted Boisdale's daughter who came first to the door with the prince being upon the Island of Calvay, where he had but very ill accommodation. She ran into the room where her stepmother was in bed, bringing Neil along with her, who told the lady the miserable condition his royal highness was in, she got up in the greatest hurry, and sent off what was readiest to relieve them in the mean time, 'till such time she could get more prepared against the next night."

GENERAL INFORMATION

Calvay Island sits to the south of the mouth of Loch Boisdale.  On a very small tidal islet beside it lie the ruins of Calvay Castle which is said to date back to the 13^th Century AD.  It’s from hiding in these ruins Bonnie Prince Charlie headed across the Loch to Ben Kenneth and Triuirebheinn for further shelter and a vantage point of the Minch.

Lochboisdale Lighthouse also sits on Calvay Island. 

Access to Calvay Island is not easy unless you have a kayak or small boat.  Sometimes, depending on tide etc, a local fisherman might be able to get anyone looking to visit the island ashore there. You could also contact Uist Sea Tours who offering a variety of boat trips. Otherwise, you get a great view from the Calmac ferry on route in/out of Lochboisdale!

BOAT TRIPS

The Bonnie Prince Charlie Boat Trip starts in April and runs every fortnight until end of September. The boat trips from Kallin Harbour visit some of the places associated with the Prince, many of which are accessible by sea on the beautiful east coast of South Uist and Benbecula. Click here for details.

LINKS

For more interviews, songs, stories and information about Bonnie Prince Charlie click here.

Next location, Location J - Ben Kenneth