To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies

Location I - Calvay Island: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Lochboisdale, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TH

Type:Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Add Location I - Calvay Island: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail to your Itinerary

Product Image
Product Image
  • Product Image
  • Product Image

Book Tickets Online

About

DATES

15th June 1746 The Prince and his small band of supporters continue on their way south to Lochboisdale

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...Read More

About

DATES

15th June 1746 The Prince and his small band of supporters continue on their way south to Lochboisdale

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!

Next location on the trail is Location J - Ben Kenneth

Read Less

Map

TripAdvisor

What's Nearby

  1. Location J - Ben Kenneth: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

    20th June 1746. News arrives that the notorious Capt Scott has landed on Barra and is on…

    0.88 miles away
  2. Lochboisdale Harbour @Storas Uibhist

    6th September 1746 . Two French ships anchor in Lochboisdale. Two hundred troops come…

    1.73 miles away
  3. Peter May Trilogy - Lochboisdale Pier


    Photograph © David Wilson

    In the book, The Lewis Man, two teenage brothers, Johnny,…

    1.75 miles away
Previous Next

My Planner

You can build your own holiday itinerary here! Just browse our site and click this button to add to your itinerary when you see something you like. If your planner is not finished, simply click save and you can come back to it later on! You also have the option to send your itinerary to our tailor made holiday partner.
0