Dunvegan Explained

Map Type:Isle of Skye
Official Name:Dunvegan
Gaelic Name:Dùn Bheagain
Static Image Name:Dunvegan1.jpg
Static Image Caption:A view of most of Dunvegan along with the Millennium Stone, visible on the skyline, overlooking the village
Country:Scotland
Civil Parish:Duirinish
Unitary Scotland:Highland
Lieutenancy Scotland:Ross and Cromarty
Population:386
Population Ref:(2011)
Area Total Km2:70
Coordinates:57.437°N -6.581°W
Os Grid Reference:NG251477
Constituency Westminster:Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Ross, Skye and Inverness West
Post Town:ISLE OF SKYE
Postcode Area:IV
Postcode District:IV55
Dial Code:01470

Dunvegan (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Bheagain) is a village on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is famous for Dunvegan Castle, seat of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan is within the parish of Duirinish.[1] In 2011, it had a population of 386.[2]

Name

In The Norse Influence on Gaelic Scotland (1910), George Henderson suggests that the name Dùn Bheagain derives from Old Gaelic Dùn Bheccáin ([the] fort of Beccán), Beccán being a Gaelic personal name. Dùn Bheagain would not mean 'little fort' as this would be Dùn Beag in Gaelic.

Geography

Dunvegan sits on the shores of the large Loch Dunvegan, and the Old School Restaurant in the village is noted for its fish, caught freshly from the loch itself. Dunvegan is situated at the junction of the A850 and the A863.[3] The B884 road also has a junction with the A863, at the eastern end of Dunvegan.[4]

Demography

Dunvegan's permanent population is declining. However, numbers staying in the area during holidays have increased dramatically over the years since 2001.

Economy

Tourist information used to be situated in the parade of shops at Lochside, but is now available on a seasonal basis at Dunvegan Castle's St Kilda Shop. The Giant MacAskill Museum, which celebrates the life of Angus Mòr MacAskill, was established in 1989 and is managed by Peter MacAskill, father of the street trials cycle rider Danny MacAskill.[5]

Dunvegan Parish Church

Dunvegan Parish Church, also known as Duirinish Parish Church, is located in Dunvegan. It is a Gothic Revival rectangular church with a battlemented tower, which belongs to the Church of Scotland. The church was built between 1823 and 1832 and is now a Category A listed building. Its Historic Environment Scotland listing refers to "a good set [of] sabre legged Elders' chairs".

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Details of Dunvegan. Gazetteer for Scotland. 2 January 2015.
  2. Highland Council 2011 census profile for Settlement Zones
  3. Web site: A863. Sabre. 2 January 2015.
  4. Web site: B884. Sabre. 2 January 2015.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20150102153936/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/more_sport/article190449.ece Danny MacAskill makes a career from defying death