70TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVACUATION OF EILEAN NAN RON
 By mid 1938 only seven men and five women* – four families in all remained and it was inevitable that evacuation from this small North Sutherland island one mile off the mainland would have to take place. There was a reluctance to leave and so they remained throughout the summer. On Tuesday, the 6th December, 1938 the final crossing was made.
The day had been spent by the few remaining islanders carrying household goods and furniture down the steep steps, cut into the hillside at the turn of the century, to the boats and ferrying them over to the mainland. The calmness of the weather gave way to a change in the evening and they had to wait until dusk to finally secure all the hens. Even then as they were being carried in boxes some escaped, and delayed the final departure. All the while the wind rose, the houses were in darkness, only sheep remained. The familiar lights were missed as they quietly pushed off and hoisted sail.
No one spoke and a few tears were shed.
 The boat soon left the shelter of the island, going at speed in pitch darkness, and lurching wildly in the rising sea. The sail was lowered and shortened and the north wind carried the boat along at a good pace. Once more the sail had to be reefed, and sailing through the black December night with the boat pitching on the waves, thoughts turned to their island homes now deserted. The bleakness of sorrow crept over them, but soon they caught sight of a light stabbing the dark night and suddenly all felt happier, knowing that a lantern had been placed on the pier at Skerray to safely guide them towards a small group of friends waiting to welcome them. Cold wintry conditions ensured a rapid dispersal of these families to their new homes in the Skerray townships of Tubeg, Achnabat, Clashclevan and Torrisdale.
Eilean nan Ron- Island of the Seal, was well named. On one particular rock it was quite common to see more than forty seals at one time. In midsummer it was never really dark,- the day merged into the night. It was so light and the seals kept barking and making strange noises. The island once had a compact community surrounded by the unending music of the sea. A people with flocks of sheep and boats, they harvested from the land and from the ocean. The island and the sea with its music remain, but the people have gone- on the green plateau above the dark cliffs, stand the empty houses, clearly visible from the mainland.
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