Ratharsair (or Ratharsaigh) is an island off the east coast of the Isle of Skye. The name “Raasay” comes from Norse, typically thought to mean Island of the Roe Deer. Some have suggested it may come from a more nautical origin, “rasar-eyjar” or tidal race islands, possibly named for the often treacherous channels and meeting tides found around the island. Raasay is also sometimes known as Eilean nam Fear Móra, “the island of the great men”. A Raasay person is known as a Ratharsach.
One of the earliest descriptions we have of the island comes from the Scottish Priest Dean Munro:
“RAARSA is described as ane Ilie of five myle long and thrie braid, pertaining to the Bischop of the Iles; but it is occupiet be ane gentleman of McCloyd Lewis kin, callit Gillechalium Raarsa. His offspring bruikis the same yit, and are callit clan Gillechalium of Raarsa. He hes ane strange little casteil in this Ile, biggit on the heid of ane heich Craig, and is callit Prokill (Bròchail). It is but 8 merk land, and will raise 80 men. It payis yeirlie to the bischop 16 merks, but to the capitaine thairof it payis of neither sundrie tributes better not 00 merks. Thair is na woodis, but great heich craigis in this Ile. It is commondious of corn and all kinds of bestiall, and chieflie horses.” – Dean Munro Circa 1549
Raasay’s history obviously stretches far further back. In the far north of a Raasay, prehistoric shelters have revealed bone fragments and pottery that date back to the Mesolithic, anywhere from 6000-6640 BC.
The lifestyle of these early residents to Raasay would have eventually evolved into that of simple farmers, settling down on sections of land to grow primitive crops or domesticate and raise livestock. As they became more attached to the land, the marks they left behind become more obvious. Evidence of burial cairns, souterrains and other structures from this Neolithic period (4300 – 2000BC) are found all across the island. In some cases, such as the War Memorial, they have been removed or built over. Others, such as the Uamh Nan Ramh, have been both preserved and reused numerous times over the centuries. Many more are probably still hidden.
By the Iron Age, brochs towered over the south of Raasay. Early Christian missionaries left their mark in the form of religious sites and standing stones. The Vikings, arriving first as raiders and later settlers, would leave some of the most important legacies – language. We still use their descriptive names for islands themselves – Raasay (Ratharsaigh – “Roe Deer Island”), Rona (Rònaigh – “Rough Island”), Fladda (Fhladaigh – “Flat Island”) and countless place names; Arnish (Àrnais – “Eagle Headland”), Eyre (Eighre – “Beach” or “sand spit”), Suisnish (Suidhisnis – “Seething headland”), Oskaig (Ósgaig – “Strip of land at a river mouth”), Inverarish (Inbhir Àrais – “River Mouth”).
The growing complexity of societies and the emergence of clans give us some of Raasay’s earliest recorded histories and accounts. Clan MacLeod of Raasay would construct (or perhaps commandeer) their unique seat of Brochel Castle, controlling the island and its commanding position over the waterways around Skye. As the era of waring clans began to give way to a more gentrified society, a beautiful and envious estate grew around the sprawling clan seat of Raasay House. The turmoil of the clearances left vast swathes of the island empty as historic settlements and communities were evicted and destroyed. To this day, names such as Manish, Hallaig and Screapadal remain synonymous with the ruins of cleared communities found there.
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either would Raasay escape the industrial revolution. By the turn of the century the island had been transformed into a vast Iron Ore mine, the huge concrete remains of which can still be found all across the island’s south. The former miners accommodation built in Inverarish – and later used as a prisoner of war camp – would become the main centre of the islands population long after the mine works were closed.
Now, Raasay and its community is another transformative era. New businesses such as the Isle of Raasay Distillery have transformed the economy and tourism has brought the island to the attention of millions around the world. Much of the islands unique history and culture however remains elusive and unknown to many.