Waternish or Vaternish (Scottish Gaelic: Bhàtairnis)[1] is a peninsula approximately 12 kilometres (7+1⁄2 miles) long on the island of Skye, Scotland, situated between Loch Dunvegan and Loch Snizort in the northwest of the island,[2] originally inhabited and owned by Clan MacNeacail/MacNicol/Nicolsons and originally consisting of small crofting communities.
The history of the peninsula is a long (and often bloody) one involving clan feuds, massacres, de-population during the Highland Clearances, and eventual re-vitalisation.
The Clan MacLeod clan seat is at the nearby Dunvegan Castle. The current clan chief is Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod. It contains the hamlets of Stein and Lusta in Loch Bay to the south east, Halistra, Hallin and Trumpan further north and Gillen to the west, all of which are accessed from the A850 road by crossing the Fairy Bridge. The highest point is Ben Geary (284 metres or 932 feet) and the most northerly is Waternish Point. The origin of the name Waternish is controversial.
- ^ Duwe, Kurt C. "Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies. Vol. 11: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach: Trondairnis, Diùirinis & Minginis (Isle of Skye: Trotternish, Duirinish & Minginish)" (PDF). p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Vaternish Peninsula". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2 April 2024.