The bedrock of Scalpay is largely the Neoproterozoic age sandstone and conglomerates of the Sithean Glac an Ime Member of the Applecross Formation and in the west, the Mullach nan Carn members of the Diabaig Formation, a unit of the Torridon Group, or informally the Torridonian sandstone.

[4] Scalpay is privately owned and operates a red deer farm, shooting estate and holiday cottages.

[1] Between 1999 and 2004 a large scale archaeological project, Scotland's First Settlers, was undertaken in the Inner Sound to locate and examine sites relating to the Mesolithic period in the strait.

[10] Dean Monro gave the following description of Scalpay in 1549:...a fair hunting forest, full of deer, with certain little woods and small towns, well inhabited and manured, with many strong coves, good for fishing, in heritage it pertains to Maclean of Duart.

[12] Shipping magnate and politician Donald Currie owned the island in the late 19th century and was responsible for the construction of the first roads and much tree planting.