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 13th 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
* 15th June 1746 The Prince and his small band of supporters continue on their way south to Lochboisdale.
20th June 1746. News arrives that the notorious Capt Scott has landed on Barra and is on…
6th September 1746 . Two French ships anchor in Lochboisdale. Two hundred troops come…
Photograph © David Wilson
In the book, The Lewis Man, two teenage brothers, Johnny,…
The Listening Place Scuplture, forms part of the Uist sculpture Trail
A good area to see this species during the spring and summer.
Photograph © David Wilson
In the book, The Lewis Man, two teenage brothers, Johnny,…
Designed in 1965 by architect Richard McCarron, this Catholic church has been described…
This stunning diver species breeds on large moorland lochs in the summer and winters in…
Photograph © David Wilson
In the book, The Lewis Man, two teenage brothers, Peter and…
Constructed by the islanders themselves under the guidance of Fr. Allan McDonald using…
The beach is a stunning white sandy beach and easily accessible from the village, near am…