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Cìrein Sheileaga Natural Arch

Cirean Seileageo, Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Ross & Cromarty.

Cìrein Sheileaga - On the Sea Shore at the S.E. [South East] side of Cellar Head. A portion of cliff over the sea-shore. It is steep and inaccessible, and is composed of loose rocks and clay. At the bottom of it, is a natural arch, 20 links (4 m) wide by 15 links (3 m) high. [ScotlandsPlaces]

Measuring from an OS map gives an estimated length of 25-30 m.

Alternate Names: None recorded.

Notes: Passage shown on OS map.

cìrein - breaker, crest of a wave (plural).

cìrein cròin - the largest of sea monsters.

cìrean na tuile - tip of the iceberg

Sheilaga or Sheileaga seems to be an Irish form of the Name Sheila or Cecilia and as in Australia, it has a slang usage meaning a woman. Cecilia is often translated as the blind one but specifically refers to a person blind to their own beauty.

As Cìrein could be a form of Siren, this might be a reference to Scylla and Charybdis or on a more basic level to blinding sea spray.

Placename definition all very speculative. Looking at names in the surrounding area suggests Seilaga is probably a corrupted composite word. Cellar Head comes from Seilair - a cellar. Leaga could come from Learga meaning Geese (although also generically meaning a diving bird) or Langa meaning Tongue or headland. Hence Cellar Head.

Best bet is a corruption of Seileageo meaning Cellar Creek. Hence the place of the breakers at Cellar Creek.