South Rona
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Rona, sometimes called South Rona to distinguish it from North Rona, is a small island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, north of Raasay and northeast of Skye. It has a total area of around 3.5 square miles.
In the nineteenth century the population of Rona fluctuated, and at its peak in 1881 it rose to 180. Many of these were crofting families which had been cleared from more fertile land on Raasay. In 1921, a group of men from the main settlement on Rona, Acairseid Thioram (Dry Harbour), landed on Raasay and attempted to re-occupy their ancestral land. These so-called 'Rona Raiders' were arrested and tried, but public support for them was strong and they were eventually freed and allowed to remain on Raasay. This led in 1922 to the acquisition of both Rona and Raasay from their private landlord by the British Government. After this, the population of Rona fell sharply, as most of the island's inhabitants followed the Raiders to settle on Raasay. By 1943 the island had become uninhabited, with the exception of two lighthouse keepers who lived at its north end until the lighthouse was automated in 1975. The ruins of Acairseid Thioram can still be seen, and are being restored to accommodate holidaymakers and archaeological and environmental working parties.
In 1992 Rona was acquired from the government by a Danish owner, who restored Rona Lodge at Acarseid Mhor (Big Harbour), and built a new landing jetty. Rona currently has one permanent resident, the island manager, who lives at Rona Lodge (where B&B and bunkhouse accommodation are available), and who also manages the self-catering cottages at Acarseid Thioram.
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