Orosay

Orosay () is a small uninhabited tidal island in the Sound of Barra lying at the north end of Traigh Mhòr, the "big beach" on the north east coast of Barra. It is one of ten islands in the Sound of Barra, a Site of Community Importance for conservation in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is about in extent and the highest point is . thumb|left|Orosay from the air, with the narrows of Caolas Orasaigh in the foreground and Gighay and [[Hellisay beyond.]]

==Geography and etymology== Inland, the nearest settlement is Eoligarry, separated from the island by the strait of Caolas Orasaigh (English: "Sound of Orosay"). The smaller beach of Tràigh Cille-bharra ("the beach of the church of Barra") lies to the north. The islands of Fuday, Greanamul, Gighay and Hellisay lie further offshore in the Sound of Barra. The name "Orosay" is a variant of "Oronsay", from the Old Norse for "tidal" or "ebb island", found commonly in the Hebrides. For example, there are two other small Orosay/Orosaighs surrounding Barra alone. One is at at the south eastern approaches to Castle Bay and the second at in Caolas Bhatarsaigh east of the causeway.