Eilean Glas, Scalpay
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Cleanup & [[WP:AWB/T|typo fixing]] , typos fixed: step-son → stepson using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]]
{{dablink|'''Eilean Glas''' is a common island name on Scotland's west coast. For other islands see [[Eilean Glas|Eilean Glas (disambiguation)]]}}
This particular '''Eilean Glas''' is actually a peninsula of [[Scalpay, Outer Hebrides|Scalpay]] in the [[Outer Hebrides]], [[Scotland]]. Eilean Glas is of particular interest as it is home to an historic [[lighthouse]].
Eilean Glas means ''Grey/Green Island'' in [[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]].
==Geography==
Eilean Glas lies on the west coast of Scalpay at {{gbmapping|NG247948}}. The island is just 300 metres long and rises no more than 30 metres above sea level.
The island projects out considerably into the busy shipping lane of the [[The Minch|Minch]] which is likely why it was decided to place a lighthouse here. The lighthouse lies in the south at '''Rubh' an Eòrna'''.
A track across the narrow [[isthmus]] connects Eilean Glas to Scalpay.
In recent times a [[radio masts and towers|radio mast]] has been erected on Eilean Glas.
==The Lighthouse==
[[Image:Scalpay - Eilean Glas lighthouse.jpg|thumb|200px|Eilean Glas lighthouse, [[Scalpay, Outer Hebrides|Scalpay]].]]
'''Eilean Glas Lighthouse''' was one of the original four lights to be commissioned by the [[Northern Lighthouse Board|Commissioners of the Northern Lights]] and the first in the Hebrides (the others were [[Kinnaird Head]], [[Mull of Kintyre]] and [[North Ronaldsay]]).
The engineer who built these lighthouses was [[Thomas Smith (engineer)|Thomas Smith]]. The light was first displayed in [[1789]] and the original tower was replaced in [[1824]] by Smith's stepson [[Robert Stevenson (civil engineer)|Robert Stevenson]].
The lighthouse was an early candidate for automation and this was carried out in [[1978]]. The local community of [[Scalpay, Outer Hebrides|Scalpay]] are currently attempting a community buyout.
<!-- A [[restaurant]] that can only be reached on foot is now run from some of the redundant lighthouse outbuildings. -->
In 2004, the owners the lighthouse building were convicted of theft and of running a fraudulent charity to pay for the mortgage on the property. However, a recent court appeal has confirmed the legitimacy of the trust, and that it does own the property. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/dorset/3674781.stm].
==External links==
*[http://www.nlb.org.uk/ourlights/history/eileanglas.htm Northern Lighthouse Board site on the history of Eilean Glas Lighthouse]
{{Lewis and Harris}}
{{coor title d|57.85759|N|6.64282|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(NG247948)}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->
[[Category:Islands of the Outer Hebrides]]
[[Category:Lighthouses in Scotland]]
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