[13] MacBain and Haswell-Smith support the derivation of "sand isle",[1][2] although Mac an Tàilleir translates the modern Gaelic of Eilean Shannda as "island at the sandy river".

[21] The breeding colonies of razorbills and guillemots on Handa are the largest in the UK, representing 11% and 9% of the total British population respectively.

[22] Other birds at Handa include eider ducks and oystercatchers, and seals and otters can often be seen at Boulder Bay on the island's southern coast.

The exposed cliff tops are home to maritime grassland species that can tolerate salt, such as thrift, sea plantain and Festuca rubra.

In less exposed areas can be found herb-rich grasslands which support species such as Yorkshire fog, bluebell and Scots lovage.

[22] In the past the island was used as a burial place, and there are still the remains of a chapel in the south east, commemorated in the name Tràigh an Teampaill (Beach of the Temple).

[23] In some ways this is surprising, since it is recorded that the islanders had a fairly varied diet including oats, fish and seabirds, rather than depending heavily on a potato crop.