Inside UK's largest abandoned island that was bought for just £2 million
A huge island shrouded in dark history was abandoned more than 60 years ago, after the last remaining family flocked to the UK mainland.
With spectacular sugar-like beaches, turquoise waters, and rich wildlife - you'd expect this picturesque isle to be a tourist magnet situated in the idyllic Caribbean. But, Taransay - which actually comprises of two islands connected together by an isthmus of sand - is located in the Outer Hebrides, the longest archipelago in the British Isles.
Stranded just off the northwest coast of Scotland, civilisation on the island is believed to go all the way back to 300 A.D, when it was home to 'Celtic pagans'. According to The Taransay Fiddlers, their descendants converted to Christianity in the 700s and in the 900s the island was taken over by the Norse Vikings.
"Throughout history it has been the site of fierce battles, such as in the Massacre of Taransay in 1544, when the Morrisons of Lewis invaded," the group states. "However, this act did not go unpunished as the people from the island of Berneray forced the invaders to a rock, where they were executed. This rock is now known as Sgeir Bhuailte – Smitten Rock."
But, the population started to dwindle, and by 1961 only one family still lived on the island. That year, the MacRae's moved over to the mainland - and Taransay was predominantly used for sheep grazing. It wasn't until 2000 that the island shot to fame, after being used as the location for BBC's reality TV show Castaway - which attracted swathes of tourists from across the UK.
Some 11 years later and the island was sold to Adam and Cathra Kelliher only a fortnight after going on the market for just £2 million. Factoring in inflation, this would be £2.9 million in today's money.
But, instead of seeking permission to turn the island into a concrete jungle of hotels - the couple are determined to return the island back to its bronze age state. "When we took all the sheep off in 2019, there was an immediate explosion of flowers and wildlife, but then massive grasses started to smother that wildlife because there were not the mammals there to eat the grass," Cathra told the Times.
"If we left it without helping it along by reintroducing mammals, then it would not necessarily turn out nicely. It is not just about leaving it; it is about undoing the damage we have done."
Taransaay is now the focus of a regeneration project that aims to restore the flora and fauna back to a pre-pastoral era as well as preserve the rich human and archaeological heritage of the island. This six-step plan involves cleaning up the island, implementing more balanced grazing, supporting biodiversity, preserving human heritage, involving the local community, and helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
Boat trips to the island will run regularly during the summer months, depending on the weather. The vessel leaves from Horgabost Beach on the Isle of Harris, starting at 9am, with only eight passengers per passage - and takes approximately 20 minutes.
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