Shieldaig
Geography and history
The village was founded in 1800 with a view to training up seamen for war against Napoleon. After his (initial) defeat and exile to Elba, the community found itself a new role as a fishing village. The small island just offshore never had its tall pines harvested to rig warships, and has now become a nature sanctuary.
The name of the village is derived from the Old Norse síld-vík, meaning 'herring bay'.
Shieldaig is a community of around 85 people, with its own school, a small pub, a village hall, a church and two restaurants. It is much used as a holiday destination, attracting those interested in fishing, touring the North Coast 500 or explorers of the Torridon Hills, which are a few miles around the coast.
Shieldaig holds a community fête in the second weekend of August.
Education
It is in the catchment area of Gairloch High School.
Another Shieldaig
12 miles (19 kilometres) to the north lies another Shieldaig.