From what I’ve read I was under the impression that Eilean Anabeich – the unripe island - the area on the south side of Loch Mharaig, got its name from the fact that it is trapped between some sizable streams and is north facing so gets limited sunshine. Makes sense.
However not so. Kenny tells me Eilean Anabeich is actually the small island just to the left of the abandoned red roofed croft in the image above and it got its name because seed crops were once stored in a stone hut there to prevent sheep and vermin getting at them. Over time the name spread to the land along the loch which once supported a large population. However there are few ruins as most of these were along the shore and subsequently buried when the Reinigeadal road was pushed through in the 1980s. Large tracts of lazybeds are clearly visible across the hillside though. Even the very early Ordnance Survey show the name tagged to the mainland and to this day the island remains unnamed on maps. Pity, I like the real story better.
