MELNESS

Crofting townships on the west side of Tongue, small harbours situated at the mouth  of the Kyle of Tongue overlooking the Rabbit Islands. A sloop carrying French gold for Prince Charles Edward ran aground here in 1745.

"Numbers on the school roll show that community decline has not reached a hopeless stage-there are still 30 children at the three-teacher school, although they have to go to Dornoch or Golspie in the south-east of Sutherland for secondary education after reaching the age of twelve."
Dr. James Coull
Scottish Studies, 7, (1963).

Turn left at the road to Melness just prior to the Kyle of Tongue into a little labyrinth of townships. Melness House, Midtown, Skinnet, Talmine, Strathan, Portvasgo, Midfield around the coast and western head of the Kyle of Tongue. From the junction at the Causeway, a minor road takes you past one of Scotland's more scenic cemeteries and through the strung-out settlements A visit to Melness comprises of many small old townships and a diverse mixture of dwellings, old, new converted, new looking traditional and modern. Much building work with houses clustered together making a hamlet with a distinct difference.

The community of Melness is a community of small crofting townships, comprising of about 70 households (or about 100 houses), stretching for about five miles around the beautiful Kyle of Tongue. Melness Estate extends to some 10,500 acres of generally poor hill grazings and crofts, sloping from Ben Hutig down to the Kyle of Tongue and the Moine. The estate includes a couple of burns, several beautiful beaches, a sheltered harbour and pier, several lochs, a couple of islands, and extensive peatlands.

The community of Melness has survived mainly as a close-knit core of indigenous crofters, many of whom are descended from the original folk who settled there after being removed from their holdings during the Clearances. They have a close relationship with the land, which they have worked daily for generations, and their community was built stone by stone by their forebears. Melness crofters are very proud of their heritage and extremely proud and supportive of their own folk. They have a keen sense of belonging to Melness and like to maintain their roots there. Indeed, many folk who have left Melness return regularly to visit their relatives and friends and to enjoy the local hospitality, whilst many others retire to their roots in Melness. In short, as one local person rather aptly put it, "You can take a local person out of Melness, but you can't take Melness out of a local person!"

  Particularly in recent years, the local economy in Melness has been characterised by a limited range of small-scale employment opportunities, mainly in public and local services, but also in crofting, forestry, shell fishing, fish farming and estate work. As in most other remote rural communities, there has been a disproportionately high number of retired residents, compared with younger working folk - many younger folk have left to pursue better socio-economic opportunities elsewhere, and many older folk have retired to Melness, attracted by the quiet and natural way of life there.

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The Rabbit Islands Bonnie Prince Charles was said to have lost a sailing ship, the "Hazard" on the Rabbit Islands!  In 1745, a sailing ship carrying provisions and gold for the Prince ran aground here and the French troops sent to recover them were captured by the Scots! The islands are noted for their fine sub-aqua diving, canoeing and as a picnic spot. The islands are home to more stunningly inviting, if rather inaccessible, white beaches. Just off shore from Talmine itself is the tiny Talmine Island. If you would like a run out to the Rabbit Islands, the best thing to do would be to ask at the Craggan Hotel in Melness, where there is usually local entertainment. The Craggan Hotel often has theme nights, which are very popular, and also impromptu music sessions, who wants to be a Millionaire Nights, and Quiz Nights!  The food is popular and locally recommended!  "Hamish" the landlord is a mine of stories and local knowledge. Melness Church of Scotland Services are on Sunday at 12.30pm. with the Minister, Rev. J.E. Mackie and visitors are welcome.

The camping and caravan Site at Talmine looks out over the sea.  The harbour at Talmine has a slipway suitable for launching small boats but it is very long and very steep.  You often see people fishing from the rocks and as the harbour is normally very clean and sandy, it has been known for people to swim there when it is quiet, often using the harbour wall as a launching site when the tide is in! The rocky outcrop that forms the end of the harbour is studded with black and ruby garnets!