Talk:Orosay

A fact from Orosay appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 23 August 2009 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:

Did you know... that the island of Orosay overlooks Traigh Mhòr, reputedly the only beach in the world used as a runway for scheduled aircraft flights?

A record of the entry may be seen at Wikipedia:Recent additions/2009/August.

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Wrong photo??[edit]

A person in a Facebook group (Uist) just wrote this: ~~"The wikipedia article has a pic of the Kilpheder/South Uist Orosay but refers to the one located nearer Barra ?"~~

I hope someone who knows the area will check this out. It was also mentioned that since 'Orosay' just means tidal island, there are/may be/ many of them. Thanks. --Hordaland (talk) 18:19, 7 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Assuming this refers to the aerial photo, this is wrong. The shape of the island is clearly not the Kilpheder Orosay, and nor does Kilpheder have more islands beyond it offshore. The lump-shaped island in the second photo showing the plane could be anywhere but the Barra strand is the only one that is used as an airstrip anywhere in Scotland. Ben Mac Dui 18:42, 7 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for your prompt answer! I'm glad to see that someone is watching the article. I'll quote you on the Facebook group.

I've been at that air-strip (just to look at it), but didn't know it was the only one of its type in the country. I was on a trip from Barra to Harris/Lewis, an all-too-quick trip. --Hordaland (talk) 09:59, 8 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

According to the article about the airstrip "The airport is unique, being the only one in the world where scheduled flights use a beach as the runway" although it was on the BBC news the other night and they said it was the only one in the northern hemisphere. I've landed there - it's quite a blast. Compton Mackenzie's grave is nearby. Ben Mac Dui 18:42, 8 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It's getting awkward being the middleman here. (Sigh.) If you're on Facebook, you may chime in directly in the group South Uist/Uibhist a Deas Appreciation Society. People post some stunning photos there including one of a piper (apparently) playing one-handed in Eriskay this morning.

The woman referred to in my first post has apologized for her mistake, so I struck her quote above. But now another woman has a new claim: "It is Orasay island on the machair at end of Boisdale, opposite the old factory." --Hordaland (talk) 22:10, 8 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The description "Orasay island on the machair at end of Boisdale, opposite the old factory" does not mean much to me I'm afraid. A grid reference or similar would be helpful. I think I can safely say that this is not a photogtaph of Loch Boisdale tho'. Anyone positing a different location will have to explain why the islands in the background look very like Greanamul, Gighay and Hellisay, that the cottage at Coalas Orasaigh is in exactly the right place etc. and that their suggestion fits these aspects of the photo better. I am not active on Facebook. I have been to Traigh Mhor - but of course we can all go! Try Google Earth and look at the fence line along the side of the cottage. This is Orosay at Traigh Mhor - no question. Ben Mac Dui 18:52, 9 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry to have bothered you. The Boisdale comment was re a photo on FB; the woman hadn't read the thread about Wikipedia. ;( --Hordaland (talk) 12:09, 10 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]