Handa Island
Handa Island Wildlife and History
Handa rises over 400ft above sea level and measures about a mile by a mile and a half. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is run as a nature reserve by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Bird life: Over 150 species including over 100,000 resident guillemots.
Plants: In excess of 216 species.
Mosses: In excess 100 types of moss.
History of Handa Island
Up until the mid 19th century, Handa supported a relatively large population for its size – in the census of 1841, 63 people lived there. Traditionally, the oldest widow was given the title “Queen of Handa”.
The islanders worked the crofts and fished. Abundant bird life provided an additional resource – birds and eggs were eaten, houses were lit by burning fulmar oil and bird-feathers were traded for supplies. The potato famine of 1848 finally caused all the residents to emigrate.
Map of Handa Island
Managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust the Handa Ferry is the only access to the Island for the general public
