Portal:Scotland/Selected article/Week 24, 2010

Raasay (Scottish Gaelic: Ratharsair is an island between the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Scotland. It is separated from Skye by the Sound of Raasay and from Applecross by the Inner Sound. It is most famous for being the birthplace of the poet Sorley MacLean, an important figure in the Scottish literary renaissance. Traditionally the home of Clan MacSween, the island was ruled by the MacLeods from the 16th to the 19th century. Subsequently a series of private landlords held title to the island, which is now largely in public ownership. Raasay House, which was visited by James Boswell and Samuel Johnson in 1773, is now an outdoor centre. Raasay means "Isle of the Roe Deer" and is home to an endemic subspecies of Bank Vole.

About 14 miles (23 km) north to south and 3 miles (4.8 km) east to west (at its widest), Raasay's terrain is varied. The highest point at 443 metres (1,453 ft) is Dùn Caan, an unusual, flat-topped peak. The island of Rona lies just off the north coast and the tidal islets of Eilean Fladday and Eilean Tigh are to the northwest. Other smaller surrounding islands are Eilean Aird nan Gobhar, Eilean an Inbhire, Holoman Island, Manish Island, Fraoch Eilean, Glas Eilean, Griana-sgeir and Eilean an Fhraoich. The main village of Inverarish is near the southwest coast.