Ellenabeich
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![]() The village of Ellenabeich with the outline of the former island of Eilean-a-beithich at centre left, the island of Easdale beyond and the Garvellachs in the distance | |
Location within Argyll and Bute | |
OS grid reference | NM7417 |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | OBAN |
Postcode district | PA34 |
Police | Scotland |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
Ellenabeich (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean nam Beitheach, meaning "island of the birchwoods."[1]) is a small village on the isle of Seil (Scottish Gaelic: Saoil) – an island on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, 7 mi (11 km) southwest of Oban, in Scotland. It is a former slate-mining village and is where parts of Ring of Bright Water were filmed.[2] Seil is one of the Slate Islands.
The village gets its name from the former slate island within proximity of the village, called Eilean nam Beitheach. The island was mined out of existence and its name is now the current Scottish Gaelic name of the village.
The village is sometimes called "Easdale" because of its proximity to the island of that name. In the village can be found:
The local slate contains pyrites or "fool's gold". The former slate works' manager's house was a hotel for a number of years, trading as the Easdale Inn; this has now been converted back into a private residence.
A small ferry runs from Ellenabeich to Easdale.