Things you didn't know about... the Isle of Eigg

The Isle of Eigg was used as a training base for the Normandy invasion in World War II

Ironically, most of the menfolk from the island were away on naval duties.

There are "singing sands" on the isle of Eigg

This strange phenomenon occurs on other Hebridean islands, where stamping or scuffing the sand produces eerie noises. Actually, people say that on the Isle of Eigg the noise is more like a squeak, but "squeaking sands" doesn't have quite the same ring.

The Isle of Eigg was once a Norwegian trading centre

From the eighth century to around 1260 the Western Isles were governed by Norway, and Eigg's location made it an ideal trading hub.

Renewable energy production was pioneered on the Isle of Eigg

Several methods of locally generating electricity are being integrated into a system that will provide 98 per cent of the island's power needs—solar, hydro and wind.

People power triumphed on the Isle of Eigg in the 1980s

In 1997, tired of years of problems with absentee landlords, the people of Eigg (total population: 60) got together and effectively bought their own island. A massive campaign to raise money and political support enabled the title to be acquired by the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, a partnership between islanders, the Highland Council and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Clan feuds have blighted the isle of Eigg

Historically, the Isle of Eigg was the fiefdom of the MacDonalds, and their rivalry with the MacLeods led in the 16th century to the entire population being burnt to death in a cave.

The Isle of Eigg, a bird lover's paradise

On the Isle of Eigg there are breeding populations of golden eagle, buzzard, peregrine falcon, kestrel, hen harrier and long-eared owl. Other visitors include the cuckoo, the great northern diver and the twite.

On a clear day...

From the high point of An Sgurr in the centre of the island, you can see the isles of Mull, Coll, Muck, Rum, Skye and the Outer Hebrides.