Gaelic name Rainish Eilean Mòr Highest elevation c. 70 m Country Scotland Island group Outer Hebrides Lieutenancy area Outer Hebrides | OS grid reference NB386280 Sovereign state United Kingdom Area 27 ha Council area Outer Hebrides | |
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Meaning of name large island of Rainish | ||
Rainish Eilean Mòr is an uninhabited island in Loch Orasaigh, north of the village of Leurbost in the area of South Lochs on the island of Lewis. At 27 hectares (67 acres) in extent, it is one of Scotland's larger freshwater islands, but it is probably the largest relative to the size of the body of water in which it sits, Loch Orasaigh being only about 125 hectares (310 acres) all told.
Map of Rainish Eilean M%C3%B2r, Isle of Lewis, UK
The entirety of the loch has been an SSSI since 1983 and the island's perimeter and the neighbouring islet to the south west have woodland cover including the species of Rowan, Aspen, Downy Birch, Grey Willow and Sallow Willow. The underlying geology is Lewisian Gneiss overlain by peaty podzols and gleys.
The Gaelic name of the island, means "large island of Rainish" and is taken from the surrounding area, which itself means "Roe deer headland", from Old Norse.