National Gazetteer, 1868

"BRACADALE, a parish in the Isle of Skye, in the county of Inverness, Scotland. It is situated in a wild hilly country on the south-west coast of the island, at the head of Loch Bracadale, and includes the small islands of Soay, Vuiay, Haversay, and Oronsay. The loch affords good anchorage. Gaelic is spoken by the people, many of whom are reputed to be endowed with the faculty of "second sight." The living, of the value of £158, is in the presbytery of Skye, and in the patronage of M'Leod of M'Leod, who is the sole landowner. There is also a Free church. The parish extends about 20 miles in length and 8 miles in breadth."

"SOAY, an island in the parish of Bracadale, district of Skye, county Inverness, Scotland. It is situated between Lochs Scavig and Brettle, near Dunan Point, and is separated from the island of Skye by Soay Sound. It extends in length about 3 miles from N.E. to S.W., with an extreme breadth of 2¼ miles. The surface is very irregular, the greater part being low, but some points obtaining an extreme altitude of about 500 feet. The coast is rocky, the cliffs rising from 60 to 70 feet."

"VINAY, an island in the parish of Bracadale, in the district of Skye, county Inverness, Scotland."

"VUIAY, an islet in the parish of Bracadale, county Inverness, Scotland. It is situated in Bracadale Bay, on the W. side of Skye."

"WIA, an island in the parish of Bracadale, Isle of Skye, county Inverness, Scotland, opposite Loch-Scarig."

Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003