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Tanera
The
Isle of Tanera, seen here from the mainland, is, at over 800 acres, the
largest and only inhabited of the Summer Isles.
The Vikings used Tanera as an ideal sea base between the 8th and11th centuries. In 1783 a fish curing stations was established on Tanera and by 1881 a thriving community of 119 people lived around the bay, with barrels of herring being exported as far afield as Italy and the West Indies.
The ruins of the early curing station and the ancient quay still remain.
De-populated by 1931, Tanera later became the home of Sir Frank Fraser Darling for his 3-year experiment, described, in his famous book Island Farm.
Since 1965 many of the. old croft houses have been restored and modernised and these are all ranged round the large sheltered anchorage facing the mainland.
From the highest parts of the island (over 400 ft) the views of both the land and seascape are magnificent. On a clear day the peaks of Ben Nevis and the Cullins of Skye are visible to the south, the mountains of Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, Canisp and Quinag stretch out to the north east, while the coastline of the Outer Hebrides can be seen over the western sea.
Tanera has a fascinating coast with its many cliffs and coves. There are three inland lochs in the hills which provide ample scope for exploration. A salmon farm is in operation in the deep waters of the anchorage.
There is a restaurant for light meals and refreshments on the island and visitors are welcome throughout the day. A small shop and Post Office provide items of topical interest, in particular the unique Summer Isles stamps.
The Summer Isles Postal Service was founded in 1970 when, in the absence of normal postal facilities, Tanera inaugurated a regular postal service to the mainland with the approval of the Post Office. Among the stamp issues made are a set showing the island birds, while Commemorative sets also depict the flora and fauna. Summer Isles stamps have become well known for their artistic merit and are collected by philatelists throughout the world