Not to be confused with a tidal island in Loch Portree, Isle of Skye, or the island (on the river Snizort, also in Skye) upon which stands the ruin of Snizort Cathedral, or the poetic name for Iona.
It lies off the east coast of Lewis at the mouth of Loch Erisort. The island reaches a height of 43m (141 feet) in the northeast.[5] At low tide Eilean Chaluim Chille is connected by a causeway to the mainland of Lewis at Crobeag. There are two lochs in the centre of the island.[6]
History
At the southern end of the island lie the ruins of Teampall Chaluim Chille (St Columba's Church).[7] Local tradition has it as the site where Columban monks first arrived in Lewis. Another tradition is that it was built by a man named Columb Kill.[8]
It is cited in a report of 1549 as the main place of worship for the parish of Lochs. There was probably a church there from the medieval period. The cemetery was in use until 1878. Eilean Chaluim Chille is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument.[9]
↑Area and population ranks: there are c.300 islands over 20ha in extent. 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census and 101 such islands in 2022.
