The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is reported to be carrying out restoration work on an abandoned island, the BBC has reported. It is understood a schoolhouse is being restored.

Mingulay, which is south of Barra and located in the Outer Hebrides, has been uninhabited for more than 100 years. Most of the islands population, about 140 people, left the terrain between 1910 and 1912 when life on the island became too challenging.

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In an extract from the school's log book, which featured in an online project in 2011, the final pages speak of storms which prevented the younger children from attending school, as well as the teacher's stock of coal for a fire being "exhausted".

Mingulay has been in the care of NTS since 2000 and last year it began conservation work on the schoolhouse. Volunteers plan to return again this summer.

The schoolhouse dates from the late 19th Century. Once it is restored, it is understood it will be made available to researchers and conservationists.

(JP)