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Muckle Roe
Norse name Rauðøy Mikla
Meaning of name big red island
Muckle Ayre
Muckle Ayre
OS grid reference HU317650
Coordinates 60°22′N 1°25.5′W / 60.367°N 1.4250°W / 60.367; -1.4250
Physical geography
Island group Shetland
Area 1,773 hectares (6.8 sq mi)
Area rank 37 
Highest elevation Mid Ward 172 metres (564 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Shetland Islands
Demographics
Population 130
Population density 7.3people/km2
Lymphad3.svg

Muckle Roe is an island in Shetland, Scotland, in St. Magnus Bay, to the west of Mainland. It has a population of around 130 people, who mainly croft and live in the south east of the island.

'Muckle' is Scots for 'big' or 'great'.

History

The island is referred to in the Orkneyinga saga.

In 1905 a bridge was built between Muckle Roe and the Shetland Mainland over Roe Sound at a cost of £1,020 met from public subscription and a grant from the Congested Districts Board. The construction was of iron and concrete and its completion was followed by a reversal in the population decline seen in the 19th and earlier 20th centuries. The bridge was later widened and strengthened, and opened on 22 October 1947 by the Convener of Zetland, W. Thomson Esq. Construction of a replacement bridge commenced in May 1998, the work being completed in January 1999. It was opened officially by Councillor Drew Ratter on 3 April 1999.

Muckle Roe was part of the civil parish of Delting until the abolition of civil parishes in Scotland by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929.

Geography and geology

Muckle Roe is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) in diameter, with high cliffs in the south. Its highest point is Mid Ward 172 metres (564 ft).

The island's rock is red granite, which gives the island its name – a combination of Scots and Old Norse meaning "big red island".

There are crofts in the east and south east. The rest of the island is lochan-studded moorland.

Population

Muckle Roe population
1851 290
1871 216
1881 230
1961 103
1971 94
1981 101
1991 115
2001 104
2011 130
source:

Gallery

  • Roesound IMG 3968 (20654476344)

    Roesound

  • Bridge over Roe Sound to Muckle Roe Island - geograph.org.uk - 335197

    Former Muckle Roe Bridge

  • Bridge to Muckle Roe, Shetland - geograph.org.uk - 144993

    Modern Muckle Roe Bridge

  • Muckle Roe Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 629940

    Muckle Roe Lighthouse looking west

  • No Visitors ! IMG 5787 (23639939921)

    The former Muckle Roe Lighthouse, which now sits at the foot of Sumburgh Head

  • Town Loch and Sandhill Ruin - geograph.org.uk - 910929

    The North Ham and the Town Loch

  • Church of Scotland, Muckle Roe - geograph.org.uk - 535057

    Muckle Roe Chapel

  • Murbie Stacks, Muckle Roe - geograph.org.uk - 886923

    Murbie Stacks

  • Stack and Gilsa Ayre, Muckle Roe - geograph.org.uk - 886947

    Birkie Ayre

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Muckle Roe para niños

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