| Scottish Gaelic name | Easaigh |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Old Norse: Ewe Island |
| Location | |
  Ensay Ensay shown within the Outer Hebrides | |
| OS grid reference | NF977862 |
| Coordinates | 57°46′N7°05′W / 57.76°N 7.08°W /57.76; -7.08 |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Outer Hebrides |
| Area | 186 ha (3⁄4 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 113 [1] |
| Highest elevation | 49 m (161 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Ensay (GaelicEasaigh) is a currently unpopulated andprivately ownedisland in theOuter Hebrides ofScotland. The island lies in the Sound of Harris, between the islands ofHarris andBerneray. The name originates from theOld Norse for Ewe Island.[4] It has nothing to do with the Gaelic for Jesus, "Iosa," as sometimes stated.
Although the island has had no permanent population since the 1930s, it is still used for summer grazing. The small chapel of Christ Church is maintained, and services are held biannually.[5] The island is classified by theNational Records of Scotland as an inhabited island that "had no usual residents at the time of either the 2001 or 2011censuses."[6]
The island shows signs ofStone Age habitation, with a prominentstanding stone. Ensay House (Taigh Easaigh) was built in theEdwardian period.[7] This was the home of the Stewart family (of whichEd Stewart is a descendant); they used to own the island.[citation needed]
The town ofEnsay inVictoria,Australia, was named after this island by one of the early settlers, a Scotsman named Archibald Macleod.[citation needed]
57°46′N7°5′W / 57.767°N 7.083°W /57.767; -7.083
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