Argyll (;

archaically In language, an archaism (from the grc, ἀρχαϊκός, ''archaïkós'', 'old-fashioned, antiquated', ultimately , ''archaîos'', 'from the beginning, ancient') is a word, a sense of a word, or a style of speech or writing that belongs to a hi ...

Argyle, in modern Gaelic, ), sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and

registration county A registration county was, in Great Britain and Ireland, a statistical unit used for the registration of births, deaths and marriages and for the output of census information. In Scotland registration counties are used for land registration purpose ...

of western

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

. Argyll is of ancient origin, and corresponds to most of the part of the ancient kingdom of on

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It is ...

. Argyll was also a medieval bishopric with its cathedral at Lismore, as well as an early modern earldom and

duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ran ...

dom, the Dukedom of Argyll. It borders

Inverness-shire Inverness-shire ( gd, Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. Covering much of the Highlands and Outer Hebrides, it is Scotland's largest county, though one of the smallest in populatio ...

to the north,

Perthshire Perthshire (locally: ; gd, Siorrachd Pheairt), officially the County of Perth, is a historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, ...

and Dunbartonshire to the east, and—separated by the

Firth of Clyde The Firth of Clyde is the mouth of the River Clyde. It is located on the west coast of Scotland and constitutes the deepest coastal waters in the British Isles (it is 164 metres deep at its deepest). The firth is sheltered from the Atlantic ...

—neighbours Renfrewshire and

Ayrshire Ayrshire ( gd, Siorrachd Inbhir Àir, ) is a historic county and registration county in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine and it borders the counties of Re ...

to the south-east, and

Buteshire The County of Bute ( gd, Siorrachd Bhòid), also known as Buteshire, is a historic county and registration county of Scotland. The county comprises a number of islands in the Firth of Clyde, between the counties of Argyll and Ayrshire, the p ...

to the south. Between 1890 and 1975, Argyll was an administrative county with a county council. Its area corresponds with most of the modern council area of

Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute ( sco, Argyll an Buit; gd, Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòd, ) is one of 32 unitary authority council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod (14 July 2020) ...

, excluding the Isle of Bute and the Helensburgh area, but including the

Morvern Morvern, historically also spelt Morven, is a peninsula and traditional district in the Highlands, on the west coast of Scotland. It lies south of the districts of Ardgour and Sunart, and is bounded on the north by Loch Sunart and Glen Tarbert, ...

and Ardnamurchan areas of the Highland council area. There was an Argyllshire constituency of the

Parliament of Great Britain The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in May 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. The Acts ratified the treaty of Union which created a new unified Kingdo ...

then

Parliament of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace of Westminster, London. It alone possesses legislative suprema ...

, from 1708 until 1983.

Name

The name derives from Old Gaelic ' (border region of the Gaels). The early 13th-century author of ' wrote that "the name ''Arregathel'' means margin (i.e., border region) of the Scots or Irish, because all Scots and Irish are generally called ''Gattheli'' (i.e. Gaels), from their ancient warleader known as Gaithelglas." The ' is however of dubious authenticity. However, the word ' naturally carries the meaning of the word 'coast' when applied to maritime regions, so the placename can also be translated as "Coast of heGaels". Woolf has suggested that the name ' replaced the name ' when the 9th-century Norse conquest split Irish and the islands of Alban off from mainland Alban . The mainland area, renamed ', would have contrasted with the offshore islands of ', literally 'islands of the foreigners'. They were referred to this way because during the 9th to 12th centuries, they were ruled by

Old Norse Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and t ...

-speaking Norse–Gaels.

North Argyll

The term ''North Argyll'' historically referred to what is now called Wester Ross. It acquired the name ''North Argyll'' as it was settled by missionaries and refugees from Dál Riata, based at the abbey of

Applecross Applecross ( gd, A' Chomraich) is a peninsula north-west of Kyle of Lochalsh in the council area of Highland, Scotland. The name Applecross is at least 1,300 years old and is ''not'' used locally to refer to the 19th century village (which is ...

. The position of abbot was hereditary, and when Ferchar mac in tSagart, son of the abbot, became the

Earl of Ross The Earl or Mormaer of Ross was the ruler of the province of Ross in northern Scotland. Origins and transfers In the early Middle Ages, Ross was part of the vast earldom of Moray. It seems to have been made a separate earldom in the mid 12th ...

, the region of ''North Argyll'' started to acquire the name ''Wester Ross''. Both names continued in use until the 15th century, when ''Wester Ross'' became the exclusive term.

Geography

Argyllshire is split into two non-contiguous mainland sections divided by

Loch Linnhe Loch Linnhe () is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. The part upstream of Corran is known in Gaelic as (the black pool, originally known as Loch Abar), and downstream as (the salty pool). The name ''Linnhe'' is derived from the Gaelic w ...

, plus a large number of islands that fall within the

Inner Hebrides The Inner Hebrides (; Scottish Gaelic: ''Na h-Eileanan a-staigh'', "the inner isles") is an archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, whic ...

. Mainland Argyllshire is characterised by mountainous

Highland Highlands or uplands are areas of high elevation such as a mountainous region, elevated mountainous plateau or high hills. Generally speaking, upland (or uplands) refers to ranges of hills, typically from up to while highland (or highlands) is ...

scenery interspersed with hundreds of lochs, with a heavily indented coastline containing numerous small offshore islands. The islands present a contrasting range of scenery – from the relatively flat islands of

Coll Coll (; gd, Cola; sco, Coll)Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 31 is an island located west of the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and ...

and

Tiree Tiree (; gd, Tiriodh, ) is the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The low-lying island, southwest of Coll, has an area of and a population of around 650. The land is highly fertile, and crofting, alongside tourism, and ...

to the mountainous terrain of Jura and Mull. For ease of reference the following is split into three sections: Mainland (north), Mainland (south) and the Inner Hebrides.

Mainland (north)

The northern mainland section consists of two large peninsulas – Ardnamurchan and

– divided by Loch Sunart, with a large inland section – known traditionally as Ardgour – bounded on the east by

. This loch gradually narrows, before turning sharply west in the vicinity of Fort William (where it is known as

Loch Eil Loch Eil (Scottish Gaelic, ''Loch Iall'') is a sea loch in Lochaber, Scotland that opens into Loch Linnhe near the town of Fort William. ".. the name of the Chief of Clan Cameron is spelt LOCHIEL, while the name of the loch is spelt LOCH EIL,.. ...

), almost cutting the northern mainland section of Argyll in two. This area, in the vicinity of Fort William and along the railway line, contains the largest towns of northern mainland Argyll. Ardnamurchan is a remote, mountainous region with only one access road; it terminates in Ardnamurchan Point and

Corrachadh Mòr ETRS89 (; ) is a headland on the peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, notable for being the most westerly point on the island of Great Britain. It is further west than Land's End in Cornwall. Depending on which coordinates are used ...

, the westernmost points of the British mainland. In the north-east of the peninsula two unnamed sub-peninsulas almost encircle

Kentra Bay Kentra Bay, also known as the Singing Sands, is a remote tidal, 306° orientated, coastal embayment located on the northern shore of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, at the extreme eastern side, where it meets the mainland proper, near Acharacle, in ...

, and are bound by the South Channel of

Loch Moidart Loch Moidart is a sea loch (sea inlet) in the district of Moidart in Highland, Scotland. It is on the west coast of Scotland, and runs about 8 km (5 miles) eastward from the sea. It is connected to the sea by two narrow channels which are sep ...

to the north; to the east of this lies the

River Shiel The River Shiel (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Seile) is a four kilometre long river in Acharacle, Highland (council area), Highland. It flows out of the Loch Shiel into the sea at Dorlin. Fishing The river contains salmon and sea trout, as well ...

and then Loch Shiel, a long loch which forms most of this section of the border with Inverness-shire. Morvern is a large peninsula and like its northern neighbour is remote, mountainous and sparsely populated. In its north-west

Loch Teacuis Loch Sunart (Scottish Gaelic ) is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. Loch Sunart is bounded to the north by the Sunart district of Ardnamurchan and to the south by the Morvern district. At long, it is the longest sea loch in the Highland ...

cuts deeply into the peninsula, as does Loch Aline in the south. At the estuary of Loch Teacuis lie the large islands of

Oronsay This is a list of islands called Oronsay (Scottish Gaelic: '), which provides an index for islands in Scotland with this and similar names. It is one of the more common names for Scottish islands. The names come from ''Örfirisey'' which transla ...

Risga Risga is an uninhabited island in between Càrna and Oronsay, in the centre of Loch Sunart, about from the north shore, in the council area of Highland, Scotland. Its area is and its highest elevation is . In 1950, over 50 pairs of Lesser black ...

and

Càrna Carna or Càrna is an island in Loch Sunart, an arm of the sea, close to the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland. Geography Carna lies wedged across the mouth of Loch Teacuis in the middle of Loch Sunart, forming two narro ...

. There are numerous lochs in northern Argyll, the largest being

Loch Doilet ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

Loch Arienas Loch Arienas is an extensive, lowland, freshwater loch on the Ardtornish Estate on the Morvern peninsula in the Scottish Highlands The Highlands ( sco, the Hielands; gd, a’ Ghàidhealtachd , 'the place of the Gaels') is a historical r ...

Loch Teàrnait Loch Teàrnait, also known as Loch Tearnait or Loch Ternate, is a small, lowland, freshwater loch on the Ardtornish Estate on the Morvern peninsula in the Scottish Highlands. It lies in an east to west direction and is approximately southeast ...

Loch Doire nam Mart Loch Doire nam Mart, also known as Loch Durinemart or Loch Durinemast, is a small, lowland, freshwater loch on the Ardtornish Estate on the Morvern peninsula in the Scottish Highlands. It lies in a northwest to southeast direction approximatel ...

and

Loch Mudle ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

List of islands

* Am Brican *

Ardtoe Island Ardtoe ( gd, Àird Tobha) is a place on the coast of Ardnamurchan, Lochaber, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has sandy beaches with views to the island of Eigg. Ardtoe is situated at the head of the channel, which connects Kentra Bay ...

* Big Stirk *

* Dearg Sgeir *

Dubh Sgeir Dub mac Maíl Coluim ( Modern Gaelic: ''Dubh mac Mhaoil Chaluim'', ), sometimes anglicised as Duff MacMalcolm, called ''Dén'', "the Vehement" and, "the Black" (born c. 928 – died 967) was king of Alba. He was son of Malcolm I and succeeded to t ...

* Eilean a' Chuilinn * Eilean a' Mhuirich * Eilean an Fhèidh * Eilean an t-Sionnaich * Eilean Ghleann Fhionainn * Eilean Mhic Dhomhnuill Dhuibh * Eilean mo Shlinneag * Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart *

Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart (inner) Eilean Mòr is an uninhabited, tidal island opposite Oronsay, Loch Sunart, Oronsay at the entrance to Loch Sunart, an arm of the sea on the west coast of Scotland. At low tide it is attached to Glenmore on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The highest ...

* Eilean na h-Acarseid * Eilean na Beitheiche * Eilean nam Gillean * Eilean nan Eildean * Eilean nan Gabhar * Eilean nan Gall * Eilean Rubha an Ridire * Eilean Uillne *

Eileanan Glasa Kate Forsyth (born 3 June 1966) is an Australian author. She is best known for her historical novel ''Bitter Greens'', which interweaves a retelling of the ''Rapunzel'' fairy tale with the true life story of the woman who first told the tale, ...

* Eileanan Loisgte *

Eileanan nan Gad Kate Forsyth (born 3 June 1966) is an Australian author. She is best known for her historical novel ''Bitter Greens'', which interweaves a retelling of the ''Rapunzel'' fairy tale with the true life story of the woman who first told the tale, ...

* Garbh Eilean *

Glas Eilean Glas may refer to: * Hans Glas GmbH, a former German automotive company * ''Glas'' (film), a 1958 Dutch documentary film * ''Glas'' (book), a 1974 book by Jacques Derrida * ''Glas'' (publisher), a Russian publishing house * Glas (surname) * Eo ...

(inner Loch Sunart) *

(outer Loch Sunart) *

Glas Eileanan Glas may refer to: * Hans Glas GmbH, a former German automotive company * ''Glas'' (film), a 1958 Dutch documentary film * ''Glas'' (book), a 1974 book by Jacques Derrida * ''Glas'' (publisher), a Russian publishing house * Glas (surname) * Eo ...

Little Stirk Little is a synonym for small size and may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Little'' (album), 1990 debut album of Vic Chesnutt * ''Little'' (film), 2019 American comedy film *The Littles, a series of children's novels by American author John P ...

* Red Rocks *

* Seilag * Sgeir an Eididh * Sgeir an t-Seangain * Sgeir Buidhe * Sgeir Charrach * Sgeir Ghobhlach * Sgeir Horsgeat * Sgeir Mhali * Sgeir Mhòr * Sgeir nan Gillean * Sgeirean nan Torran * Sgeirean Shallachain * Sligneach Bag * Sligneach Mòr File:Corrachadh Mor 2005-07-15.jpg, Corrachadh Mòr as seen from the Ardnamurchan Point lighthouse File:Dramatic Scenery at Loch Sunart - geograph.org.uk - 1659920.jpg, Loch Sunart File:Creach Bheinn and Glen Galmadale.jpg,

Creach Bheinn Creach Bheinn is a prominent mountain in the Morvern area in the west of Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, ...

on the Morvern peninsula File:Risga - geograph.org.uk - 1348719.jpg, The isle of Risga File:Kentra Moss near Kentra - geograph.org.uk - 125936.jpg, Kentra Moss flatlands

Mainland (south)

The southern mainland section is much larger than the northern, and is dominated by the long Kintyre peninsula, the terminus of which lies only from

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

on the other side of the

North Channel North Channel may refer to: *North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland) *North Channel (Ontario), body of water along the north shore of Lake Huron, Canada *North Channel, Hong Kong *Canal du Nord, France {{geodis ...

. The coast is complex, with the west coast in particular being heavily indented and containing numerous sea inlets, peninsulas and sub-peninsulas; of the latter, the major ones (north to south) are

Appin Appin ( gd, An Apainn) is a coastal district of the Scottish West Highlands bounded to the west by Loch Linnhe, to the south by Loch Creran, to the east by the districts of Benderloch and Lorne, and to the north by Loch Leven. It lies northe ...

Ardchattan Ardchattan and Muckairn is a civil parish within Argyll and Bute in Scotland. It lies north of Oban, bordering Loch Etive and includes Glen Ure, Glen Creran, Barcaldine, Benderloch, Connel, Bonawe and Glen Etive. At the 2001 census, Ardchat ...

Craignish Craignish (Scottish Gaelic, ''Creiginis'') is a peninsula in Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. It lies around south of Oban, and north-west of Lochgilphead. The peninsula is around long, and is aligned along a north-east to south-west orie ...

Tayvallich Tayvallich (pronounced ; gd, Taigh a' Bhealaich ) is a small village in the Knapdale area of Argyll and Bute, in Scotland. The village name has its origins in Gaelic, and means the "house of the pass". The village is built around a sheltered harbo ...

, Taynish,

Knapdale Knapdale ( gd, Cnapadal, IPA: �kraʰpət̪əɫ̪ forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, ...

and Kintyre, and the major loch inlets (north to south) are

Loch Leven Loch Leven may refer to: ;Bodies of water in Scotland * Loch Leven (Kinross), a freshwater loch in Perth and Kinross ** Loch Leven Castle, a fortress on the loch ** William Douglas of Lochleven, later the 6th Earl of Morton * Loch Leven (Highlands) ...

, Loch Creran, Loch Etive,

Loch Feochan ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

Loch Melfort ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

Loch Craignish Loch Craignish is a sea loch on the mid-Argyll coast. Geography Loch Craignish lies between Oban and the Crinan Canal. Its opens into the Sound of Jura and provides a safe anchorage for small craft. Several islands lie within the loch, the larg ...

, Loch Crinan, Loch Sween,

Loch Caolisport ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

and West Loch Tarbert, the latter dividing Kintyre from Knapdale. To the east

Loch Fyne Loch Fyne ( gd, Loch Fìne, ; meaning "Loch of the Vine/Wine"), is a sea loch off the Firth of Clyde and forms part of the coast of the Cowal peninsula. Located on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It extends inland from the Sound o ...

separates Kintyre from the

Cowal Cowal ( gd, Còmhghall) is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute, in the west of Scotland, that extends into the Firth of Clyde. The northern part of the peninsula is covered by the Argyll Forest Park managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. The Arrochar ...

peninsula, which is itself split into three sub-peninsulas by Lochs Striven and Riddon and split on its east coast by

Holy Loch The Holy Loch ( gd, An Loch Sianta/Seunta) is a sea loch, a part of the Cowal peninsula coast of the Firth of Clyde, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The "Holy Loch" name is believed to date from the 6th century, when Saint Munn landed there afte ...

and

Loch Goil Loch Goil; ( gd, Loch Goil) is a small sea loch forming part of the coast of the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The sea loch is entirely within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It is an arm of Loch Long. The v ...

; south across the

Kyles of Bute The Kyles of Bute ( gd, Na Caoil Bhòdach) form a narrow sea channel that separates the northern end of the Isle of Bute from the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the Scottish mainland. The surrounding hillsides are roughly wooded, and ove ...

lies the island of Bute, which is part of

, and to east across

Loch Long Loch Long is a body of water in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Sea Loch extends from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end. It measures approximately in length, with a width of between . The loch also has an arm, Loch Goil, on its weste ...

lies the Rosneath peninsula in Dunbartonshire. The topography of south Argyll is in general heavily mountainous and sparsely populated, with numerous lochs; Kintyre is slightly flatter though still hilly. Near Glen Coe can be found Bidean nam Bian, the tallest peak in the county at 1,150 m (3,770 ft). Of the lochs and bodies of water the largest are (roughly north to south) the

Blackwater Reservoir The Blackwater Reservoir is a reservoir created behind a dam in the mountains above Kinlochleven, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. The dam is long, the longest in the Highlands. The hydroelectric scheme was constructed in the early 1900s for the ...

Loch Achtriochtan Loch Achtriochtan or Loch Trychardan is a small shallow freshwater loch located to the east of Glencoe village in Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands. It is now under the care of the National Trust for Scotland. During the 18th century, the loch ...

Loch Laidon Loch Laidon or Loch Lydoch or Loch Luydan is a long thin freshwater loch, on a southwest to northeast orientation, with outlets on the southwest side, that form the loch into a walkingstick with two supports, and is located on Rannoch Moor on ...

, Loch Bà, loch Buidhe,

Lochan na Stainge Lochan na Stainge is a fresh water loch on Rannoch Moor, Argyll and Bute within Highland council area, Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern thir ...

Loch Dochard Loch Dochard is an upland freshwater loch lying approximately west of Bridge of Orchy in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands The Highlands ( sco, the Hielands; gd, a’ Ghàidhealtachd , 'the place of the Gaels') is a historical region of S ...

Loch Tulla Loch Tulla ( gd, Loch Toilbhe ) is a small loch at near Bridge of Orchy and Glen Coe in Scotland and in the central highlands. It contains salmon some of which are bred locally. The loch is 2.5 miles in length and an average 0.5 miles in width, w ...

, Lochan Shira, the

Cruachan Reservoir Cruachan Reservoir is a reservoir in Scotland. It is located to the north west of Loch Awe, in a corrie beneath Ben Cruachan. It is the upper reservoir for the Cruachan Power Station pumped-storage scheme. It was created in the 1960s, and is ...

Loch Restil Loch Restil; is a freshwater loch that lies in the pass between Glen Croe and Glen Kinglas on the Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. One of the main roads to the west of Scotland coast, the A83, passes Loch Restil. The burn th ...

Loch Awe Loch Awe (Scottish Gaelic: ''Loch Obha'') is a large body of freshwater in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such ...

Loch Avich Loch of Avich is a large freshwater loch that lies approximately west of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute in Scotland. It is the second biggest loch in the Etive basin after Loch Awe. It trends east-northeast, west-southwest and is narrowly triangula ...

Blackmill Loch Blackmill Loch is an impounding reservoir, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The loch was constructed in 1964 and is one source of freshwater for the Lochgair Hydroelectric Scheme. The loch feeds the River Add, when not diverted for hydroelectric pur ...

, Loch Nant, Loch Nell,

Loch Scammadale ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

Loch Glashan ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

Loch Loskin Loch Loskin is a freshwater loch in Ardnadam, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The outflow from the loch is the Milton Burn, which winds its way through Dunoon to the Firth of Clyde. The A885 from Sandbank known as the "High Road" locally passes the l ...

, Loch Eck,

Asgog Loch Asgog Loch is a natural freshwater loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located about southwest of Tighnabruaich, on the Cowal peninsula. The loch was dammed during the 19th century to create an impounding reservoir for the supply of fresh ...

Loch Tarsan Loch Tarsan; is a freshwater loch and impounding reservoir located 13 kilometres Northwest of Dunoon, on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. This three-armed Reservoir extends into both Glen Tarsan and Glen Lean. It supplies wate ...

, Càm Loch,

Loch nan Torran ''Loch'' () is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. It is cognate with the Manx lough, Cornish logh, and one of the Welsh words for lake, llwch. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling ...

, Loch Ciàran, Loch Garasdale,

Lussa Loch ''Motya'' is a genus of moths of the family Nolidae. The genus was erected by Francis Walker in 1859. Species *''Motya abseuzalis'' Walker, 1859 Florida, Antilles to Brazil *''Motya arcuata'' (Schaus, 1910) Costa Rica *''Motya flotsama'' (Dyar, ...

and

Tangy Loch Tangy Loch, Kintyre Kintyre ( gd, Cinn Tìre, ) is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The peninsula stretches about , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south to East and West Loch Tarbert in the north. The re ...

List of islands

''Note that islands lying off the west coast are generally considered to be part of the Inner Hebrides (see below)'' * Abbot's Isle *

An Oitir An, AN, aN, or an may refer to: Businesses and organizations * Airlinair (IATA airline code AN) * Alleanza Nazionale, a former political party in Italy * AnimeNEXT, an annual anime convention located in New Jersey * Anime North, a Canadian an ...

Barmore Island Barmore Island is a peninsula in Scotland located on the east of Knapdale, in the council area of Argyll and Bute. It is 1 and a half miles north from Tarbert Tarbert ( gd, An Tairbeart) is a place name in Scotland and Ireland. Places named Tarb ...

Black Islands Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white have of ...

Burnt Islands The Burnt Islands ( gd, Na h-Eileanan Loisgte) are three small islands that lie in the Kyles of Bute, on the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute, on the West coast of the Scottish mainland. The islands are located at . Individually the Islands ...

(''comprising Eilean Mòr, Eilean Fraoich and Eilean Buidhe'') *

Island Davaar Island Davaar or Davaar Island ( gd, Eilean Dà Bhàrr) is located at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch off the east coast of Kintyre, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is a tidal island, linked to the mainland by a natural Shingle beach, shingle cau ...

* Duncuan Island * Eilean a' Chòmhraidh * Eilean an t-Sagairt * Eilean Aoghainn * Eilean Beith * Eilean Buidhe *

Eilean Dubh Eilean Dubh (Scottish Gaelic, 'Black Island') may refer to: * List of islands called Eilean Dubh * ''Eilean Dubh'' (ferry) See also * Black Island (disambiguation) *Black Isle The Black Isle ( gd, an t-Eilean Dubh, ) is a peninsula within R ...

* Eilean Grianain * Eilean Math-ghamhna *

Eilean Mòr Eilean Mòr, literally meaning "large island" in Scottish Gaelic, is the name of several Scottish islands. In some areas, the term merely refers to the large island of a group, and may be used in place of the actual name: Saltwater * Eilean Mòr, ...

Eilean Munde Eilean Munde is a small uninhabited island in Loch Leven, close to Ballachulish. It is the site of a chapel built by St. Fintan Mundus (also known as Saint Fintan Munnu), who travelled here from Iona in the 7th century. The church was burnt i ...

* Eilean nam Meann *

* Gluniform Island *

Henrietta Reef Henrietta may refer to: * Henrietta (given name), a feminine given name, derived from the male name Henry Places * Henrietta Island in the Arctic Ocean * Henrietta, Mauritius * Henrietta, Tasmania, a locality in Australia United States * Henrie ...

Inis Chonain INIS may refer to: *International Nuclear Information System *Iraqi National Intelligence Service *iNiS Corporation *Institut national de l'image et du son *Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service *INIS character set See also * * Innis (di ...

Inishail Inishail (alternate Inchald) is an island and former parish,Wilson, Rev. John ''The Gazetteer of Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone in Loch Awe, Scotland. Geography The island lies at the north end of the loch in the co ...

Innis Errich Innis may refer to: Places * Innis, Louisiana, U.S. * Innis College, University of Toronto, Canada People Surname * Harold Innis (1894–1952), Canadian political economy professor who wrote on communication * Hubert Van Innis (1866–1961), Be ...

Island Ross An island or isle is a piece of subcontinental land completely surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island in a river or a lake island may be calle ...

* Liath Eilean * Oitir Mòr *

Sanda Island Sanda Island ( gd, Sandaigh) is a small island in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, off the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, near Southend and Dunaverty Castle. On clear days Sanda can be seen from the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, from ...

* Scart Rocks * Sgat Beag * Sgat Mòr * Sgeir Bhuide * Sgeir Caillich * Sgeir Lag Choan * Sgeir Leathann * Sgeir Mhaola Cin * Sgeir na Dubhaidh * Sgeir Port a' Ghuail * Sheep Island *

Thorn Isle Thorn(s) or The Thorn(s) may refer to: Botany * Thorns, spines, and prickles, sharp structures on plants * ''Crataegus monogyna'', or common hawthorn, a plant species Comics and literature * Rose and Thorn, the two personalities of two DC Comic ...

File:Iainland - towards Rubha nah Airde - geograph.org.uk - 1102840.jpg, Knapdale scenery File:Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 49941.jpg, Mull of Kintyre lighthouse File:Loch Riddon or Loch Ruel and the Kyles of Bute - geograph.org.uk - 848161.jpg, Loch Riddon File:Loch Etive.jpg, Loch Etive looking NE from Sron nam Feannag File:Glencoepanorama.jpg, Glen Coe, with the Three Sisters of Bidean nam Bian File:Loch Restil - geograph.org.uk - 11726.jpg, Loch Restil File:Davaarisland1379.jpg, Davaar island

Inner Hebrides

Argyllshire contains the majority of the Inner Hebrides group, with the notable exceptions of

Skye The Isle of Skye, or simply Skye (; gd, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or ; sco, Isle o Skye), is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous hub dominated b ...

and Eigg (both in Inverness-shire). The islands are too geographically diverse to be summarised here; further details can be found on the individual pages below.

List of islands

Am Fraoch Eilean Am Fraoch Eilean is an uninhabited island in the Sound of Jura, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is from Ardfin on Jura. Brosdale Island is located to the east. The name is Scottish Gaelic and means "the heather isle" and wa ...

An Dubh Sgeir An, AN, aN, or an may refer to: Businesses and organizations * Airlinair (IATA airline code AN) * Alleanza Nazionale, a former political party in Italy * AnimeNEXT, an annual anime convention located in New Jersey * Anime North, a Canadian an ...

An Stèidh An, AN, aN, or an may refer to: Businesses and organizations * Airlinair (IATA airline code AN) * Alleanza Nazionale, a former political party in Italy * AnimeNEXT, an annual anime convention located in New Jersey * Anime North, a Canadian an ...

Bach Island Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the ''Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard wor ...

Balach Rocks Balach (بالآچ) is a Baloch first name for males. A notable person named Balach is Balach Marri of Balochistan, Pakistan Balochistan (; bal, بلۏچستان; ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the southwestern re ...

* Belnahua * Bernera Island *

Brosdale Island Brosdale Island is an uninhabited island in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is 1.25 miles from Jura House on Jura. It is about 1/4 of a mile long and 1/4 of a mile wide. The earliest comprehensive written list of Hebridean isla ...

Calve Island Calve Island is an uninhabited low-lying island off the east coast of the Isle of Mull in Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland. A whitewashed farmhouse with substantial outbuildings stands on the western shore, used as a summer residence ...

* Canna *

Cara Island Cara Island ( gd, Cara) is a small island which is located off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. Geography and etymology Cara is south of Gigha. It is accessible from Gigha. Cara has a translation in Gaelic as "dearest" or "dear one". C ...

* Carraig an Daimh * Carsaig Island * Coiresa *

* Colonsay * Craro Island *

Island of Danna The Island of Danna or Danna ( gd, Danna), is an inhabited tidal island in Argyll and Bute. Geography It is connected to the mainland by a stone causeway and is at the southern end of the narrow Tayvallich peninsula, which separates Loch Swee ...

Dubh Artach Dubh Artach (; ) is a remote skerry of basalt rock off the west coast of Scotland lying west of Colonsay and south-west of the Ross of Mull. A lighthouse designed by Thomas Stevenson with a tower height of was erected between 1867 and 1872 ...

* Eagamol * Eag na Maoile *

Easdale Easdale ( gd, Eilean Èisdeal) is one of the Slate Islands, in the Firth of Lorn, Scotland. Once the centre of the Scottish slate industry, there has been some recent island regeneration by the owners. This is the smallest of the Inner Hebrides' i ...

* Eilean a' Chalmain * Eilean a' Chùirn * Eilean a' Mhadaidh * Eilean Àird nan Uan * Eilean an Aodaich * Eilean an Fhuarain *

Eileach an Naoimh Eileach an Naoimh, also known as Holy Isle, is an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides of the west coast of Scotland. It is the southernmost of the Garvellachs archipelago and lies in the Firth of Lorne between Mull and Argyll. The name i ...

* Eilean Annraidh * Eilean an Righ * Eilean Arsa * Eilean Ascaoineach * Eilean Balnagowan *

Eilean Bàn Eilean Bàn (Scottish Gaelic meaning ''White Island'') is a island between Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye, in the historic county of Ross and Cromarty in the Highland local government area. The Skye Bridge uses the island as a stepping-s ...

* Eilean Bhrìde * Eilean Coltair * Eilean Craobhach * Eilean dà Ghallagain *

Eilean dà Mhèinn Eilean dà Mhèinn, is a small inhabited island in Loch Crinan and one of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is about to the west of the village of Crinan in Knapdale Knapdale ( gd, Cnapadal, IPA: �kraʰpət̪əɫ̪ forms a rural district of ...

* Eilean Dioghlum * Eilean Dùin *

Eilean Fraoich This is a list of islands called Eilean Fraoch or Fraoch Eilean, which provides an index for islands in Scotland with this and similar names. Literally meaning " heather island" in Scottish Gaelic, it is a common Scottish island name. It may also r ...

* Eilean Gainimh * Eilean Garbh * Eilean Ghòmain * Eilean Ghreasamuill * Eilean Imersay * Eilean Inshaig *

Eilean Loain Eilean Loain is a small island in Loch Sween and one of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is about west of the settlement of Kilmichael of Inverlussa in Knapdale and a similar distance southeast of the village of Tayvallich on the other side o ...

* Eilean Loch Oscair * Eilean Mhartan *

Eilean Mhic Chrion Eilean Mhic Chrion is a tidal island sheltering Ardfern in Loch Craignish, Scotland. Eilean Mhic Chrion is one of 43 tidal islands that can be walked to from the mainland of Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlan ...

* Eilean Mhic Coinnich *

* Eilean Musdile * Eilean na Cloiche *

Eilean na Cille Eilean na Cille, south east of Benbecula Benbecula (; gd, Beinn nam Fadhla or ) is an island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland. In the 2011 census, it had a resident population of 1,283 with a siza ...

* Eilean na Creiche * Eilean na h-Eairne * Eilean na h-Uamha * Eilean na Seamair * Eilean nam Ban * Eilean nam Muc * Eilean nan Caorach * Eilean nan Coinean *

Eilean nan Each Horse Island ( gd, Eilean nan Each) is an uninhabited island in the Summer Isles, in the north west of Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern thir ...

* Eilean nan Gamhna * Eilean Odhar * Eilean Ona * Eilean Ornsay * Eilean Ramsay * Eilean Reilean * Eilean Righ * Eilean Tràighe *

Eileanan na h-Aoran Kate Forsyth (born 3 June 1966) is an Australian author. She is best known for her historical novel ''Bitter Greens'', which interweaves a retelling of the ''Rapunzel'' fairy tale with the true life story of the woman who first told the tale, ...

Eorsa Eorsa is an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides The Inner Hebrides (; Scottish Gaelic: ''Na h-Eileanan a-staigh'', "the inner isles") is an archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. T ...

* Erisgeir *

Eriska Eriska is a flat tidal island at the entrance to Loch Creran on the west coast of Scotland. Privately owned by the Buchanan-Smiths from 1973 until August 2016, Eriska is now owned by Creation Gem, a family-owned business from Hong Kong.

Erraid Erraid ( gd, Eilean Earraid) is a tidal island approximately square located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It lies west of Mull (to which it is linked by a beach at low tide) and southeast of Iona. The island receives about of rainWalker, A ...

* Fladda *

Frenchman's Rocks A Frenchman is a French person. Frenchman may also refer to: Places * Frenchman, Nevada, an unincorporated community * Frenchman Bay, Maine * Frenchman Bay, within King George Sound (Western Australia) * Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan, Canada * ...

* Gamhna Gigha * Gamhnach Mhòr * Garbh Rèisa * Garbh Sgeir *

Garvellachs The Garvellachs (Scottish Gaelic: Garbh Eileaich) or Isles of the Sea form a small archipelago in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Part of the Argyll and Bute council area, they lie west of Lunga and northwest of Scarba and have been uninhabited ...

Gigalum Island Gigalum Island or Gigalum is a tiny, private uninhabited island off the southeast coast of Gigha in Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainlan ...

* Gigha * Gòdag *

Gometra Gometra ( gd, Gòmastra) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, lying west of Mull. It lies immediately west of Ulva, to which it is linked by a bridge, and at low tide also by a beach. It is approximately in size. The name is also appl ...

* Guirasdeal * Hàslam *

Humla Humla District ( ne, हुम्ला जिल्ला), a part of Karnali Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Simikot as its district headquarters, covers an area of and has population of 50,858 as ...

Inch Kenneth Inch Kenneth ( gd, Innis Choinnich) is a small grassy island off the west coast of the Isle of Mull, in Scotland. It is at the entrance of Loch na Keal, to the south of Ulva. It is part of the Loch na Keal National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotl ...

Inn Island Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accomm ...

Insh Island Insh ( gd, Am Baile Ùr) is a village in Highland, Scotland that lies on the east coast of the Insh Marshes. It is in the Badenoch and Strathspey area, around east of Kingussie, in the Spey valley. It is located in historic Inverness-shire. The ...

Iona Iona (; gd, Ì Chaluim Chille (IPA: �iːˈxaɫ̪ɯimˈçiʎə, sometimes simply ''Ì''; sco, Iona) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there ...

Island Macaskin Island Macaskin or MacAskin ( gd, Eilean MhicAsgain) is an island in Loch Craignish, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is owned by the Jenkin family and has been since 1904. History and wildlife The island was formerly inhabited, and unusual ...

Islay Islay ( ; gd, Ìle, sco, Ila) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll just south west of Jura, Scotland, Jura and around north of the Northern Irish coast. The isl ...

Hough Skerries Hough may refer to: * Hamstringing, or severing the Achilles tendon of an animal * the leg or shin of an animal (in the Scots language), from which the dish potted hough is made * Hough (surname) Communities United Kingdom * Hough, Alderley Edg ...

* Hyskeir (''in Gaelic, Oigh-Sgeir'') * Jura *

Kerrera Kerrera (; gd, Cearara or ''Cearrara'') is an island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, close to the town of Oban. In 2016 it had a population of 45, divided into two communities in the north and south of the island. Geology The oldest bedrock ...

* Lady's Rock *

Liath Sgeir Liath Luachra or the "Grey one of Luachair", is the name of two characters in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. Both appear in ''The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn'', which details the young life and adventures of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. Alfred Nu ...

* Lismore *

Little Colonsay Little Colonsay ( gd, Colbhasa Beag) is an uninhabited island west of the island of the Isle of Mull in Scotland. The geology of the island is columnar basalt, similar to that of neighbouring Staffa. It is part of the Loch Na Keal National Sce ...

* Luing * Lunga * MacCormaig Isles * Maisgeir *

Muck Muck most often refers to: *Muck (soil), a soil made up primarily of humus from drained swampland Muck may also refer to: Places Europe * Muck, Scotland, an island * Isle of Muck, County Antrim, a small island connected by sand spit to Portmu ...

Na Sgeiran Mòra NA, N.A., Na, nA or n/a may refer to: Chemistry and physics * Sodium, symbol Na, a chemical element * Avogadro constant (''N''A) * Nucleophilic addition, a type of reaction in organic chemistry * Numerical aperture, a number that characterizes a ...

* Nave Island * Ormsa *

* Orsay * Rèidh Eilean * Rèisa an t-Struith * Rèisa Mhic Phaidean * Ruadh Sgeir *

Rùm Rùm (), a Scottish Gaelic name often anglicised to Rum (), is one of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides, in the district of Lochaber, Scotland. For much of the 20th century the name became Rhum, a spelling invented by the former owner, Sir ...

Samalan Island Samalan Island is a small island, just off the Isle of Mull at the mouth of Loch na Keal in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. To its south west is the island of Inchkenneth, and to its north, the island of Ulva Ulva (; gd, Ulbha) is a small i ...

* Sanday * Scarba * Scoul Eilean *

Seil Seil (; gd, Saoil, ) is one of the Slate Islands, located on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, southwest of Oban, in Scotland. Seil has been linked to the mainland by bridge since the late 18th century. The origins of the island's name are ...

* Sgeir a' Mhàim-àrd * Sgeir a' Phuirt * Sgeir an Ròin * Sgeiran Mòra * Sgeir Mhòr * Sgeir na Caillich * Sgeir nan Gobhar * Sgeir nan Sgarbh * Sgeir Shealg * Sgeir Tràighe * Shian Island * Shuna, Slate Islands *

Shuna Island Shuna Island or simply Shuna is an island in Loch Linnhe, offshore from Appin. The island is approximately long and wide and extends to some in total. The island is characterised by a table topped hill at its southern end. The name Shuna is ...

, Loch Linnhe *

Skerryvore Skerryvore (from the Gaelic ''An Sgeir Mhòr'' meaning "The Great Skerry") is a remote island that lies off the west coast of Scotland, southwest of Tiree. Skerryvore Lighthouse is located on these rocks, built with some difficulty between 18 ...

Small Isles The Small Isles ('' gd, Na h-Eileanan Tarsainn'') are a small archipelago of islands in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. They lie south of Skye and north of Mull and Ardnamurchan – the most westerly point of mainla ...

* Soa, near Coll * Soa, Tiree * Soa, near Mull * Staffa * Taynish Island * Sùil Ghorm * Texa *

Torran Rocks The Torran Rocks are a group of small islands and skerries located between the islands of Mull and Colonsay in Scotland. Geography and geology The main rocks are Dearg Sgeir, MacPhail's Anvil, Na Torrain, Torran Sgoilte and Torr an t-Saothaid ...

Torsa Torsa (occasionally Torsay) is one of the Slate Islands in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Lying east of Luing and south of Seil, this tidal island was inhabited until the 1960s. There is now only one house there, which is used for holiday lets. The ...

Treshnish Isles The Treshnish Isles are an archipelago of small islands and skerries, lying west of the Isle of Mull, in Scotland. They are part of the Inner Hebrides. Trips to the Treshnish Isles operate from Ulva Ferry, Tobermory, Ardnamurchan and Tiree. Geo ...

Ulva Ulva (; gd, Ulbha) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, off the west coast of Mull. It is separated from Mull by a narrow strait, and connected to the neighbouring island of Gometra by a bridge. Much of the island is formed from ...

File:Calve Island.jpg, Calve Island File:Iorcail - geograph.org.uk - 761496.jpg, Cliffs at Iorcail on Canna File:Caraislandaerial.jpg, Cara File:Eorsa, Loch Na Keal.jpg, Eorsa from Mull File:Iona Abbey from water.jpg, Iona Abbey File:Dun Nosebridge.jpg,

Dun Nosebridge Dun Nosebridge is an British Iron Age, Iron Age fort southeast of Bridgend, Islay, Bridgend, Islay, Scotland. The fort is on the right bank of the River Laggan, Islay, River Laggan. The name's origin is probably a mixture of Scottish Gaelic and O ...

on Islay File:Gylen Castle, Kerrera - geograph.org.uk - 1640107.jpg,

Gylen Castle Gylen Castle is a ruined castle, or tower house, at the south end of the island of Kerrera in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on a promontory overlooking the Firth of Lorne. It was made a scheduled monument in 1931. History Built in 1582 by the Clan ...

on Kerrera File:Rum Ponies - geograph.org.uk - 151595.jpg, Ponies on Rum File:Waterfall on South Coast of Rum - geograph.org.uk - 41742.jpg, Coastal waterfall on Rum File:Staffa01.jpg, Basalt columns on Staffa File:Ulbhabluebells.jpg, Bluebell field on Ulva

Shire, county and district

Historically, the term ''shire'' is somewhat misleading, as it must not be confused with an English

county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesChambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...

. In medieval Latin, the latter was referred to as a ''comitatus'', which prior to 1889 a Scottish ''shire'' had never been. In Scotland, the ''comitatus'' was in fact the region controlled as a ''Lordship'' (as opposed, for example, to a Lairdship), such as a mormaerdom, or an early

earl Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particular ...

dom, and typically survived as a ''

regality A regality was a territorial jurisdiction in old Scots law which might be created by the King or Queen only, by granting lands to a subject ''in liberam regalitatem'', and the tract of land over which such a right extended. A lord of regality h ...

'' (though this is a broader term encompassing also more junior authority). ''Shire'' instead came into use, in Scotland, to refer to the region in which a particular

sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...

operated; in Scottish medieval Latin this was sometimes called the ''vice-comitatus''. Following the transfer of the Hebrides and adjacent mainland coast from Norway to Scotland, by the 1266 Treaty of Perth, Argyll was served by the

sheriff of Perth The Sheriff of Perth was historically a royal official, appointed for life, who was responsible for enforcing justice in Perth, Scotland. Prior to 1748 most sheriffdoms were held on a hereditary basis. From that date, following the Jacobite upri ...

. However, in 1293, king

John Balliol John Balliol ( – late 1314), known derisively as ''Toom Tabard'' (meaning "empty coat" – coat of arms), was King of Scots from 1292 to 1296. Little is known of his early life. After the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, Scotland entered an ...

established the post of sheriff of Kintyre. In 1326, Dougall Campbell, son of Neil Campbell, was rewarded for

Campbell Campbell may refer to: People Surname * Campbell (surname), includes a list of people with surname Campbell Given name * Campbell Brown (footballer), an Australian rules footballer * Campbell Brown (journalist) (born 1968), American television ne ...

support of

Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (Scottish Gaelic: ''Raibeart an Bruis''), was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. One of the most renowned warriors of his generation, Robert eventual ...

; Dougall was grandson of the

baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...

Innis Chonnell Innischonnell (Scottish Gaelic: Innis Chonaill) is an island in Loch Awe, Scotland. It is part of Kilchrenan and Dalavich parish, in Argyll. The island is fourteen miles east of Kilmartin, Argyll. Castle The castle that stands on the wooded isla ...

, at the centre of the Argyll region, so he was created ''Sheriff of Argyll''. However, the sheriffdom had only been created to oversee the forfeited MacDougall territory of Lorn (including Mull), the southern parts of Argyll remained part of the quasi-independent

Lordship of the Isles The Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( gd, Triath nan Eilean or ) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title w ...

until the late 15th century. In 1476, John MacDonald, the Lord of the Isles, quitclaimed Kintyre and Knapdale (including the region between

and

) to Scotland, and initially Knapdale was served by the Sheriff of Perth. However, in 1481, it was placed under the control of ''

Tarbertshire Tarbertshire, or the sheriffdom of Tarbert, was a shire of Scotland until 1633, when it was annexed to Argyllshire.RPS, 1633/6/91 It comprised the mainland peninsula formed by Knapdale and Kintyre, together with the southern Inner Hebrides to th ...

'' – an expanded sheriffdom of Kintyre. The

Scottish Reformation The Scottish Reformation was the process by which Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland broke with the Pope, Papacy and developed a predominantly Calvinist national Church of Scotland, Kirk (church), which was strongly Presbyterianism, Presbyterian in ...

coincidentally followed the fall of the Lordship of the Isles, but the MacDonalds – former lords – were strong supporters of the former religious regime. The Campbells by contrast were strong supporters of the reforms, so at the start of the 17th century, under instruction from James VI, the Campbells were sent to

and Jura – MacDonald territory – to subdue the MacDonalds. The sheriffdom of Argyll was an inherited position, and had remained in the Campbell family, and now it was extended to include Islay and Jura. Campbell pressure at this time also lead to the sheriff court for Tarbertshire being moved to

Inverary Inveraray ( or ; gd, Inbhir Aora meaning "mouth of the Aray") is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is on the western shore of Loch Fyne, near its head, and on the A83 road. It is a former royal burgh, the traditional county town of Arg ...

, where the Campbells held the court for the sheriff of Argyll. Somewhat inevitably, in 1633, Tarbertshire was abolished, in favour of the sheriff of Argyll. David II had restored MacDougall authority over Lorn in 1357, but John MacDougall (head of the MacDougalls) had already renounced claims to Mull (in 1354) in favour of the MacDonalds, to avoid potential conflict. The

MacLeans ''Maclean's'', founded in 1905, is a Canadian news magazine reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events. Its founder, publisher John Bayne Maclean, established the magazine to provide a uniquely Canadian perspe ...

were an ancient family based in Lorn (including Mull), and following the quitclaim, they no longer had a Laird in Mull, so themselves became Mull's Lairds. Unlike the MacDonalds, they were fervent supporters of the Reformation, even supporting acts of

civil disobedience Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal of a citizen to obey certain laws, demands, orders or commands of a government (or any other authority). By some definitions, civil disobedience has to be nonviolent to be called "civil". Hen ...

against king Charles II's

repudiation Repudiation may refer to: * Repudiation (marriage), the formal act by which a husband forcibly renounces his wife in certain cultures and religions *Disownment, the formal act by which a parent forcibly renounces his child *Anticipatory repudiatio ...

of the

Solemn League and Covenant The Solemn League and Covenant was an agreement between the Scottish Covenanters and the leaders of the English Parliamentarians in 1643 during the First English Civil War, a theatre of conflict in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. On 17 August 1 ...

. Archibald Campbell (Earl of Argyll) was instructed by the

privy council A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a state, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the mon ...

to seize Mull, and suppress the non-conformist behaviour; by 1680 he gained possession of the island, and transferred shrieval authority to the sheriff of Argyll. In 1746, following Jacobite insurrections, the Heritable Jurisdictions Act abolished regality, and forbade the position of sheriff from being inherited. Local governance was brought into line with that of the rest of Great Britain. Boards for health, water, education, the poor law, and so on, were established for each sheriffdom, akin to the way counties were now governed in England. In 1889, counties were at last formally created in Scotland, by a dedicated Local Government Act; they were to use the same boundaries as sheriffdoms. Argyll thus gained a county council, which lasted until 1975. Argyll's neighbouring counties were

, Perthshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Bute. Renfrewshire and Ayrshire are on the other side of the

, while Bute was a county comprising the islands in the

firth Firth is a word in the English and Scots languages used to denote various coastal waters in the United Kingdom, predominantly within Scotland. In the Northern Isles, it more usually refers to a smaller inlet. It is linguistically cognate to ''fj ...

. The county town of Argyll was historically Inveraray, which is still the seat of the Duke of Argyll. Lochgilphead later claimed to be the county town, as the seat of local government for the county from the 19th century. Neither town was the largest settlement geographically, nor in terms of population, however. Argyll's largest towns were (and are)

Oban Oban ( ; ' in Scottish Gaelic meaning ''The Little Bay'') is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, th ...

Dunoon Dunoon (; gd, Dùn Omhain) is the main town on the Cowal peninsula in the south of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, to the south of the Holy Loch and to the north of Innellan. As well ...

and

Campbeltown Campbeltown (; gd, Ceann Loch Chille Chiarain or ) is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Campbeltown became an important centre for Scotch whisky, and a busy fishing ...

. Argyll County Council was officially based at the County Clerk's Offices in Lochgilphead. However, it appears that there was "no recognised headquarters for the accommodation of all the chief officials for the meetings of the county council." The

of Muck or Muick, Rhum or

, Canna and Sanday were part of the county until they were transferred to

in 1891 by the boundary commission appointed under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. The island of Egg or Eigg was already in Inverness-shire. The concept of a County of Argyll ceased for local government purposes in 1975, with its area being split between

and Strathclyde Regions. A

local government Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of public administration within a particular sovereign state. This particular usage of the word government refers specifically to a level of administration that is both geographically-loca ...

district called Argyll and Bute was formed in the Strathclyde

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and the interaction of humanity and t ...

, including most of Argyll and the adjacent Isle of Bute (the former County of Bute was more extensive). The Ardnamurchan, Ardgour,

Ballachulish The village of Ballachulish ( or , from Scottish Gaelic ) in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred on former slate quarries. The name Ballachulish (Ballecheles, 1522 – Straits town) was more correctly applied to the area now called No ...

, Duror, Glencoe, Kinlochleven and

areas of Argyll were detached to become parts of

Lochaber Lochaber ( ; gd, Loch Abar) is a name applied to a part of the Scottish Highlands. Historically, it was a provincial lordship consisting of the parishes of Kilmallie and Kilmonivaig, as they were before being reduced in extent by the creation ...

District, in Highland. They remained in Highland following the 1996 revision. Coastal walk south east Isle of Colonsay

In 1996 a new

unitary council area A unitary authority is a local authority responsible for all local government functions within its area or performing additional functions that elsewhere are usually performed by a higher level of sub-national government or the national governmen ...

was created, with a change in boundaries to include part of the former Strathclyde district of Dumbarton.

Constituency

Starting in 1590, as one of the measures that followed the Scottish reformation, each sheriffdom elected

commissioner A commissioner (commonly abbreviated as Comm'r) is, in principle, a member of a commission or an individual who has been given a commission (official charge or authority to do something). In practice, the title of commissioner has evolved to in ...

s to the

Parliament of Scotland The Parliament of Scotland ( sco, Pairlament o Scotland; gd, Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland from the 13th century until 1707. The parliament evolved during the early 13th century from the king's council o ...

. As well as the commissioner representing ''Argyll'', at least one was sent to represent Tarbertshire, Sir Lachlan Maclean, 1st Baronet, Sir Lachlan Maclean of

. In the 1630 parliamentary session, Sir Coll Lamont, Clan Lamont, laird of Lamont, was the commissioner for "Argyll ''and Tarbert''". There was an Argyllshire (UK Parliament constituency), ''Argyllshire'' constituency of the

from 1708 to 1801, and of the

from 1801 to 1983 (renamed ''Argyll'' in 1950). The Argyll and Bute (UK Parliament constituency), Argyll and Bute constituency was created when the Argyll constituency was abolished.

Civil parishes

Civil parishes are still used for some statistical purposes, and separate census figures are published for them. As their areas have been largely unchanged since the 19th century, this allows for comparison of population figures over an extended period of time. *Ardchattan and Muckairn * Ardgour *Ardrishaig * Ardnamurchan *

* Colonsay and Oronsay, Inner Hebrides, Oronsay *

and Kilmun * Gigha and

* Glassary *Glen Orchy and

* Inveraray * Inverchaolain * Jura * Kilbrandon and Kilchattan * Kilcalmonell * Kilchoman * Kilchrenan and Dalavich * Kildalton * Kilfinan * Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon * Killarow and Kilmeny * Killean and Kilchenzie *Kilmallie (part) *Kilmartin *Kilmodan * Kilmore and Kilbride * Kilninian and Kilmore * Kilninver and Kilmelford * Lismore and

* Lochgilphead *Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich *

*North

*Saddell and Skipness *South

*Southend, Argyll, Southend *Strachur * Strathlachlan *

* Torosay, Mull

Settlements

Mainland (north)

*Acharacle *Achaphubuil *Ardery * Ardgour *Ardtoe *Banavie *Blaich *Bonnavoulin *Caol *Clovullin *Corpach *Corran, Lochaber, Corran *Duisky *Fassfern *Glenborrodale *Kentra *Kilchoan *Kilmory, Ardnamurchan, Kilmory *Kinlocheil *Laga, Lochaber, Laga *Lochaline *Melfort, Argyll, Melfort *Newton of Ardtoe *Ockle *Polloch *Portuairk *Resipole *Salen, Ardnamurchan, Salen *South Garvan *Stronchreggan *Strontian *Trislaig

Mainland (south)

Dunoon from above the Firth of Clyde - geograph

*Achahoish *Achinhoan *Achnamara *Ardentinny *Ardgartan *Ardnadam *Ardrishaig *Ardtaraig *Ardulaine *Arrochar, Argyll, Arrochar *

*Barcaldine, Argyll, Barcaldine *Bellochantuy *Benderloch *Blairmore, Argyll, Blairmore *Cairndow *

*Carradale *Carrick Castle (village), Carrick Castle *Clachaig *Clachan, Kintyre, Clachan *Clachan of Glendaruel *Claonaig *Colintraive *Connel *Coylet *Craobh Haven *Crinan, Argyll and Bute, Crinan *Dalavich *Dalmally *Dippen, Argyll, Dippen *Drumlemble *Dumbeg *

*Duror *Ford, Argyll, Ford *Furnace, Argyll, Furnace *Glenbarr *Glenbranter *Glen Coe, Glencoe *Glendaruel *Grogport *Hunters Quay *Innellan * Inveraray *Inverchaolain *Invercreran *Kames, Argyll, Kames *Kennacraig *Kentallen *Kilberry *Kilchenzie *Kilkerran *Kilmanshenachan *Kilmelford *Kilmore, Argyll, Kilmore *Kilmun * Kinlochleven *Kirn, Argyll, Kirn *Knipoch *Largiemore *Lochgair * Lochgilphead *Lochgoilhead *Machrihanish *Millhouse, Argyll and Bute, Millhouse *Muasdale *North Connel *

*Ormsary *Otter Ferry *Peninver *Port Ann *Port Appin *Portavadie *Rashfield *St Catherines, Argyll, St Catherines *Saddell *Sandbank, Argyll, Sandbank *Skipness *Southend, Argyll, Southend *Stewarton, Argyll, Stewarton *Strachur *Strone *Succoth, Argyll, Succoth *Tarbert, Kintyre, Tarbert *Tayinloan *Taynuilt *

*Tighnabruaich *Torinturk *Torrisdale, Argyll, Torrisdale *Tullochgorm *Whistlefield, Argyll and Bute, Whistlefield *Whitehouse, Argyll, Whitehouse

Inner Hebrides

*Ardbeg, Islay, Ardbeg (Islay) *Ardfernal (Jura) *Ardilistry (Islay) *Ardmenish (Jura) *Ardtalla (Islay) *Ardtun (Mull) *Arinagour (Coll) *Ballygrant (Islay) *Bowmore (Islay) *Bridgend, Islay, Bridgend (Islay) *Bruichladdich (Islay) *Bunessan (Mull) *Bunnahabhain (Islay) *Calgary, Mull, Calgary (Mull) *Craighouse (Jura) *Craignure (Mull) *Dervaig (Mull) *Feolin (Jura) *Fionnphort (Mull) *Fishnish (Mull) *Kilchoman (Islay) *Kinloch, Rùm, Kinloch (Rùm) *Kintra (Mull) *Knockan (Mull) *Lagavulin (Islay) *Laphroaig (Islay) *Lochbuie, Mull, Lochbuie (Mull) *Nerabus (Islay) *Pennyghael (Mull) *Port Askaig (Islay) *Port Charlotte, Islay, Port Charlotte (Islay) *Port Ellen (Islay) *Port Mòr (Muck) *Portnahaven (Islay) *Port Wemyss (Islay) *Salen, Mull, Salen (Mull) *Scalasaig (Colonsay) *Scarinish (Tiree) *Tiroran (Mull) *Tobermory, Mull, Tobermory (Mull) *Uisken (Mull) *Ulva Ferry (Mull) File:Bowmore Round Church.JPG, Bowmore Round Church, Islay File:Craighouse from the pier - geograph.org.uk - 755742.jpg, Craighouse, Jura File:Port Mor, Muck.jpg, Port Mòr, Muck

Transport

The West Highland Line, West Highland railway runs through the far north of the county, stopping at Locheilside railway station, Locheilside, Loch Eil Outward Bound railway station, Loch Eil Outward Bound, Corpach railway station, Corpach and Banavie railway station, Banavie, before carrying on to Mallaig in Inverness-shire. A branch of the line also goes to Oban railway station, Oban, calling at Dalmally railway station, Dalmally, Loch Awe railway station, Loch Awe, Falls of Cruachan railway station, Falls of Cruachan, Taynuilt railway station, Taynuilt and Connel Ferry railway station, Connel Ferry. Numerous ferries link the islands of the Inner Hebrides to each other and the Scottish mainland. Many of the islands also contain small airstrips enabling travel by air. A fairly extensive bus network links the larger towns of the area, with bus transport also available on the islands of Islay, Jura and Mull. The county contains a number of small airports which serve the region and Edinburgh/Glasgow: Oban Airport, Oban, Tiree Airport, Tiree, Coll Airport, Coll, Colonsay Airport, Colonsay, Campbeltown Airport, Campbeltown and Islay Airport, Islay. Kintyre has been one of the mooted locations for a proposed British Isles fixed sea link connections, British-Irish bridge; as the closest point to Ireland at first glance it appears to be the most obvious route, however Kintyre is hampered by its remoteness from the main centres of Scotland's population.

Residents

Clans

*Clan Campbell was the main clan of this region. The Campbell clan hosted the long line of the Duke of Argyll, Dukes of Argyll. *Clan MacIntyre historically held lands in this region and had close ties with Clan Campbell. *Clan Gregor historically held a great deal of lands in this region prior to the proscription of their name in April 1603, the result of a power struggle with the Campbells. *Clan Lamont historically both allied and feuded with the Campbell clan, culminating in the Dunoon Massacre. In the 19th century, theclan chief sold his lands and relocated to Australia, where the current chief lives. *Clan McCorquodale held lands around Loch Awe from the early medieval period until the early 18th century. Their seat was a castle on Loch Tromlee. *Clan MacMillan held lands in Argyll, notably in knapdale (viz. "MacMillan of Knap") *Clan Malcolm Also known as MacCallum. The Malcolm clan seat is Duntrune Castle on the banks of Loch Crinan *Clan MacLean Historically held lands on the Isle of Mull with its seat at Duart Castle *Clan MacLachlan historically feuded with the Campbells, and espoused Jacobitism. Held lands on both sides of Loch Fyne, with its seat in Strathlachlan *Clan MacEwan historically feuded with the Campbells, cousins of MacLachlans. Held lands in Kilfinan.

Other notable residents

*Patrick MacKellar, (1717–1778), born in Argyll, military engineer, achieved his reputation on projects in the United States of America. *George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen KT, GCMG, FRSA, FRSE, PC (born 12 April 1946, George Islay MacNeill Robertson), British Labour Party (UK), Labour politician and tenth Secretary General of the NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation *Eric Blair, better known as George Orwell, who resided in the northernmost part of Jura, during the final years of his life (1946-1950). During this period, he wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four. *Karen Matheson, folk singer, grew up in Taynuilt. *Frances Ruth Shand Kydd (née Roche; 20 January 1936 – 3 June 2004) was the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales. She was resident at Ardencaple House on the Island of Seil. She was buried in Pennyfuir Cemetery on the outskirts of Oban.

In fiction

* Rosemary Sutcliff's novel ''The Mark of the Horse Lord'' (1965) is set in Earra Gael, i.e. the Coast of the Gael, wherein the Dal Riada undergo an internal struggle for control of royal succession, and an external conflict to defend their frontiers against the Caledonians, Caledones. * The highlands above the village of Lochgilphead were used for a scene in the 1963 film ''From Russia with Love,'' starring Sean Connery as James Bond. He killed two villains in a helicopter by firing gunshots at them. * The main focus of the song "The Queen of Argyll" is that of a beautiful woman, from Argyll. The song was sung by the band Silly Wizard and covered by Fiddler's Green (band), Fiddler's Green in 2000. * The 1985 Scottish movie ''Restless Natives'' used Lochgoilhead to film a chase scene, as well as some roads just outside the village. * The housekeeper Elsie Carson in Julian Fellowes' television drama ''Downton Abbey'' is from Argyll. * In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, after being attacked by Sirius Black, the Fat Lady is found hiding in a map of Argyllshire that is located on the second floor in Hogwarts

Notes

References

* Omand, Donald (ed.) (2006). ''The Argyll Book''. Edinburgh: Birlinn. .

External links

Map of Argyllshire
on Wikishire
"Filming locations", ''From Russia with Love'' (1963)
IMDB
Argyll.org – Argyll Independent Visitor Information

Argyll and Argyle Visitor Information

Visitor information for Inveraray, Tarbert, Knapdale, Crinan and Lochgilphead
{{Authority control Argyllshire, Counties of Scotland Counties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922)

Name

North Argyll

Geography

Mainland (north)

List of islands

Mainland (south)

List of islands

Inner Hebrides

List of islands

Shire, county and district

Constituency

Civil parishes

Settlements

Mainland (north)

Mainland (south)

Inner Hebrides

Transport

Residents

Clans

Other notable residents

In fiction

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links