from walking | MELLON UDRIGLE

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Mellon Udrigle

‘the small hill(ock) of Udrigle’

From

G. meallan ‘little knoll / hill’

ON. pers. name Ùdraigil

[meallan ùdraigil]

 

Mellon Udrigle is a small crofting community set on the eastern aspect of the Rubha Mòr peninsular in Wester Ross, north west Scotland. Beside a white sandy beach; Camas a’ Charaig, backed by Meall nam Meallan hill [hill of hillocks] to the south and the moorlands of the peninsular to the north and west. A remote yet accessible location with views over the Summer Isles and Gruinard Bay to the mountains of Sutherland, Coigach and Assynt.

The earliest signs of settlement in the area is evidenced by the remains of an ancient Pictish hut circle nestled within the sand dunes flanking Camas a’ Charaig, dating to between the Late Iron Age (~100 BC) and Early Medieval periods (~10th c.). Given the sheltered position of the north east facing beach and cove we may be able to conclude earlier settlements even pre-dating this. Certainly, given the adoption of both Gaelic and Norse forms in the earliest name form meallan ùdraigil, we can see some evidence of continual settlement in the area to modern times.

Today, the location is also a popular tourist destination, attracting day trippers and seasonal long stay visits at the camp site and holiday cottages beside the sand dunes.