List of Inner Hebrides explained

This list of Inner Hebrides summarises a chain of islands and skerries located off the west coast of mainland Scotland. There are 36 inhabited islands in this archipelago, of which Islay, Mull and Skye are the largest and most populous.

The islands of Scotland's west coast are known collectively as the Hebrides; the Inner Hebrides are separated from the Outer Hebrides by The Minch to the north and the Sea of the Hebrides to the south. The Inner Hebrides that lie respectively north and south of Ardnamurchan are administered by two separate local authorities as part of larger territories. The northern Inner Hebrides, including Skye, the Small Isles and the Summer Isles, are part of the Highland unitary council region. The southern group, including Islay, Jura, the Slate Islands and Gigha are part of the Argyll and Bute council region.

In the past, the Hebrides as a whole were a strong Scottish Gaelic-speaking area, and in 1921 more than 50% of the populations of most of these islands, including Skye, Mull and Islay, were proficient in the language. However, although the Outer Hebrides have retained many Gaelic speakers, in the 2001 census only Skye (31%) and Tiree (48%) had more than 25% of the resident population able to speak Gaelic; Mull, Jura, Gigha and Coll each recorded figures of less than 15%.[1]

The modern economy centres on tourism, crofting, farming, fishing, and whisky distilling. The archipelago is exposed to wind and tide. There are numerous lighthouses as an aid to navigation.[2]

There are various descriptions of the scope of the Hebrides. The Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland describes the Inner Hebrides as lying "east of The Minch", which would include any and all offshore islands. There are various islands that lie in the sea lochs, such as Eilean Bàn and Eilean Donan, that might not ordinarily be described as "Hebridean", but no formal definition exists and for simplicity they are included in this list rather than elsewhere.[3] [4] [5]

Etymology

Various Gaelic names are used repeatedly. The suffix ay or aigh or aidh is generally from the Norse øy meaning "island". Eilean (plural: eileanan) also means "island". Beag and mòr (also bheag and mhòr) mean "little" and "big" and are often found together. Sgeir is "skerry" and often refers to a rock or rocks that lie submerged at high tide. Dubh is "black", dearg is "red" and glas means "grey" or "green". Orasaigh is from the Norse Örfirirsey meaning "tidal" or "ebb island".[6]

Inhabited islands

The inhabited islands of the Inner Hebrides had a population of 18,257 in 2001, and 18,948 at the time of the 2011 census. The highest peaks of the islands have names deriving from both Gaelic and Old Norse, indicating the historical importance of these two cultures. The archaeological record for the period of Viking domination during the Early Historic period is, however, limited.

In the Outer Hebrides all of the inhabited islands are now connected to at least one other island by a land transport route, but only four Inner Hebridean islands are connected by road, all to the mainland. The Clachan Bridge from Argyll to Seil was designed by Thomas Telford and dates from 1792. Skye has been connected to Kyle of Lochalsh by the Skye Bridge since 1995.[7] Danna is also connected to the Tayvallich peninsula in Argyll by a stone causeway; and tiny Eilean Donan, dominated by its castle, has had a connection to the mainland perhaps from as early as the 13th century. The arched bridge in use today was constructed in the early 20th century.[8]

IslandGaelic nameGroup[9] Area (ha)[10] PopulationHighest point[11] Height (m)[12]
CannaCanaighSmall IslesCàrn a' Ghaill
CollColaMullBen Hogh
ColonsayColbhasaIslayCarnan Eoin
DannaDannaIslayCruiadh Bharr
EasdaleEilean ÈisdealSlate Islands
EiggEigeSmall IslesAn Sgurr
Eilean BànAn t-Eilean BànSkyec. 6
Eilean dà MhèinnEilean dà MhèinnKnapdale
Eilean DonanEilean DonnainLoch Duich
Eilean ShonaEilean SeonaLoch MoidartBeinn a' Bhàillidh
Eilean TioramEilean TioramNorth Highland
EriskaLoch Linnhe?[13] Ceann Garbh
ErraidEilean Earraid MullCnoc Mòr
GighaGioghaIslayCreag Bhàn
GometraGòmastraMull
Isle of EweEilean IùbhNorth HighlandCreag Streap
IonaMullDùn Ì
IslayIslayBeinn Bheigeir
JuraDiùraIslayBeinn an Òir
KerreraCearraraFirth of LornCarn Breugach
LismoreLios MòrFirth of LornBarr Mòr
LuingLuinnSlate IslandsBinneinn Furachail
LungaLungaSlate IslandsBidean na h-Iolaire
MuckEilean nam MucSmall IslesBeinn Airein
MullMuileMullBen More
OronsayOrasaighIslayBeinn Orasaigh
RaasayRatharsairSkyeDùn Caan
RonaRònaighSkyeMeall Acairseidh
RùmRùmSmall IslesAskival
SandaySandaighSmall IslesTallabric
ScalpaySgalpaighSkyeMullach na Càrn
SeilSaoilSlate IslandsMeall Chaise
ShunaSiunaSlate IslandsDruim na Dubh Ghlaic
SkyeAn t-Eilean SgitheanachSkyeSgurr Alasdair
SoaySòdhaighSkyeBeinn Bhreac
Tanera MòrTannara MòrSummer IslesMeall Mòr
TireeTiriodhMullBen Hynish
UlvaUlbhaMullBeinn Chreagach

Lunga in the Firth of Lorn had a population of 7, Eilean Bàn a population of 2 and Eilean Donan a single resident in 2001 but none recorded a usually resident population in 2011.

Castle Stalker, Eilean Horrisdale, Eilean Loain and Inch Kenneth are "included in the NRS statistical geography for inhabited islands but had no usual residents at the time of either the 2001 or 2011 censuses".

Uninhabited islands

There are 43 uninhabited Inner Hebrides with an area greater than 30 hectares (approximately 74 acres). Records for the last date of settlement for the smaller uninhabited islands are incomplete, but most of the islands listed here would have been inhabited at some point during the Neolithic, Iron Age, Early Historic or Norse periods.

In common with the other main island chains of Scotland many of the more remote islands were abandoned during the 19th and 20th centuries, in some cases after continuous habitation since prehistoric times. These places had been perceived as relatively self-sufficient agricultural economies,[14] but both island residents and outsiders later came to consider that the more remote islands lacked the essential services of a modern industrial economy.[15]

Some of the islands continue to contribute to modern culture. Staffa came to prominence in the late 18th century after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks. He and his fellow travellers extolled the natural beauty of the basalt columns in general, and in particular of the island's main sea cavern, which Banks renamed "Fingal's Cave". Many other prominent personalities visited Staffa over the next two centuries, including Felix Mendelssohn, whose Hebrides Overture brought further fame to the island.[16] During the Second World War, Gruinard was the site of a biological warfare test by British military scientists.[17] At that time there was an investigation by the British government to test both the vulnerability of Britain to attack and the possibility of attacking Germany using anthrax.[18]

The difficulties of definition are considerable in some cases. For example, Haswell-Smith (2004) treats Lunga[19] as a single island, although during high tides it becomes one inhabited island and numerous uninhabited tidal islets. Another example is the smaller island of Eilean Mòr in Loch Dunvegan, which joins with nearby Eilean Dubh and Garay Island at low tides.[20]

IslandGaelic nameGroupArea (ha)[21] Last inhabitedHighest pointHeight (m)
Calbha BeagCalbha BeagEddrachillis Bay
Calbha MorCalbha MòrEddrachillis Bay[22]
Calve IslandEilean ChailbheMull
CaraCaraGigha
CàrnaCàrnaLoch SunartCruachan Chàrna
Eileach an NaoimhEileach an NaoimhGarvellachs10th century
Eilean an Ròin MòrEilean an Ròin MòrNorth Highland
Eilean Dubh MòrAn t-Eilean Dubh MòrSlate Islands
Eilean FladdayEilean FhladaighSkye1970s
Eilean HorrisdaleEilean ThòireasdalNorth HighlandCarn Garbh
Eilean IgheEilean IgheSound of Arisaig
Eilean MacaskinEilean MhicAsgainLoch Craignish
Eilean MeadhonachAn t-Eilean MeadhanachCrowlin Islands
Eilean Mhic ChrionEilean MhicChrìonLoch Craignish
Eilean MòrAn t-Eilean MòrCrowlin IslandsMeall a' Chòis
Eilean RìghEilean RìghLoch CraignishDùn Righ
Eilean TighEilean an TaigheSkyeMeall Mòr
Eilean TroddayEilean ThrodaighSkye
EorsaEòrsaMull
Garbh EileachGarbh EileachGarvellachs
GruinardEilean GhruinneartNorth HighlandAn Eilid
GunnaGunnaighMull
HandaEilean ShanndaNorth Highland1848Sithean Mòr
Harlosh IslandEilean HeàrrloisSkye
Horse IslandEilean nan EachSummer IslesSgurr nan Uan
Inch KennethInnis ChoinnichMull1970s
InshAn InnisSlate Islands
IsaySkye1860
Isle MartinEilean MhàrtainnSummer Isles1948
Isle RistolEilean RuisteilSummer Isles
Little ColonsayColbhasa BeagMull1940s
Longa IslandLongaNorth HighlandDruim am Eilean
LongayLongaighSkye
LungaLungaighMull1857Cruachan
Oldany IslandEilean AlltanaidhEddrachillis BaySidhean nan Ealachan
OrnsayEilean IarmainSkyec. 35
OronsayOrasaighLoch Sunart[23] Druim Mòr
PabayPabaighSkye
Priest IslandEilean a' ChlèirichSummer Isles
ScarbaSgarbaIslay1960sCruach Scarba
ShunaSiunaMull1960sTom an t-Seallaidh
StaffaStafaMull
Tanera BeagTannara BeagSummer Isles
TexaTeacsa IslayCeann Garbh
TorsaTorsaSlate Islands
WiayFuidheighSkye

Smaller islets and skerries

Smaller islands, tidal islets only separated at higher stages of the tide, and skerries which are only exposed at lower stages of the tide pepper the seas surrounding the main islands. Many of them are obscure and only a few have ever been inhabited. Nonetheless, some have a significant degree of notability. Lady's Rock, a skerry in Loch Linnhe, was the site of the attempted murder of Lady Catherine Campbell by her husband Lachlan Maclean of Duart in 1527. He rowed out to the rock one night at low tide and left his wife stranded on the rock to die.[24] [25] Nearby Castle Stalker was in the possession of Clan Stewart of Appin at this time, but its more recent claim to fame is as a location in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Remote Dubh Artach and Skerryvore are the sites of two unmanned lighthouses; the latter reaches 48m (157feet) in height and is the tallest in the United Kingdom.[26] Belnahua supported a population of slate workers in its substantial and now flooded central quarry during the 19th century.[27] Nearby Eilean-a-beithich once stood in the Easdale Sound between Easdale and Seil. However, it was quarried to a depth of 76m (249feet) below sea level leaving only the outer rim of the island. This was eventually swept away by the sea and little visible sign of the island now remains.[28]

In addition to being a hazard to navigation, the Torran Rocks south of Erraid are one of the locations featured in the novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was here that Alan Breck Stewart and David Balfour were ship-wrecked.[29]

The smaller Inner Hebridean islands, grouped by location (from south to north), in the vicinity of:

South Argyll Coast

Mull, Scart Isle, The Merchants

Eilean Ceann na Creige, Eilean da Ghallagain, Eilean Eòghainn, Eilean nan Craobh, Eilean Traighe

Corr Eilean, Eilean Ghamna, Eilean Mòr, Eilean nan Leac, Eilean Puirt Leithe

Cala, Eilean Loain, Eilean Mhartan, Eilean na Circe, Taynish Island, Ulva Islands

An-unalin, Black Rock, Eilean Glas, Eilean nan Coinean

Eilean na Cille, Eilean na-h Eairne, Garbh Rèisa, Sgeir na Maoile

Eich Donna, Eilean an Duin, Eilean Arsa, Eilean Buidhe, Eilean Creagach, Fraoch Eilean, Liath Sgeir

Eilean Coltair, Eilean Gamhna, Scoul Eilean

Islay group

Carraig Dhubh

Am Ballan, Eilean Liath, Eilean Mhic Coinnich, Frenchman's Rocks, Orsay, Sgeiran Dubha

Carmichael's Rocks, Cleit Buidhe, Corr Sgeir, Eilean an t-Sluic, Eilean Imersay, Iseanach Beag, Iseanach Mòr

Firth of Lorn

Loch Linnhe

Abbot's Isle, Eilean Beag, Eilean Mòr, Eilean nam Meann, Eilean Traighe, Kilmaronag Islands

Eilean à Chòmraidh, Eilean Coinneach, Eilean Munde, Eilean nam Ban

Eilean à Bhealaidh, Eilean na Creich, Eilean nan Craobh, Rubha Dearg

Mull group

Eilean Mòr, Eilean Uamh Ghuaidhre, Frank Lockwood's Island

Dearg Sgeir, MacPhail's Anvil, Na Torrain, Torran Sgoilte, Torr an t-Saothaid

Eilean nan Caorach, Sgeir Leathan

Eilean Casach, Eilean Feòir,

Small Isles

North Argyll coast

From Ininmore Bay in Morvern to the River Sheil.[30]

South Highland coast

Eilean à Bhuic, Eilean à Chaolais, Eilean Buidhe, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Dubh an Aonaich, Eilean na Gualinn, Eilean nam Bairneach, Eilean nan Gabhar, Eilean nan Trom, Samalaman Island, Sgeir Glas

Am Fraoch-eilean, An Garbh-eilean, An Glas-eilean, Còrr Eilean, Eilean à Ghaill, Eilean Aird nam Bùth, Eilean an t-Snidhe, Eilean Ceann Fèidh, Eilean Gobhlach, Eilean nan Cabar, Eilean Port nam Murrach

Eilean Ruadh, Eilean Toigal

Eilean na h-Acairseid

An Corr-eilean, Eilean Giubhais, Eilean Maol, Eilean na Glaschoille,

Corr Eileanan, Eilean à Chuilinn, Eilean à Gharb-Iain, Eilean à Mhuineil, Eilean à Phiobaire, Eilean Chamas nan Doth, Eilean Chlamial, Eilean Choinnich, Eilean Mhartain, Eilean Mhogh-sgeir, Eilean Ràrsaidh, Eilean Tioram, Fraoch Eilean, Glas Eilean

Skye group

Eilean Dubh, Eilean Ruairidh, Eilean Sgorach

Eilean na h-Àirde

An Dubh-sgeir, Eilean Glas, Eilean Reamhar, Stac à Mheadais

Oronsay, Sula Skerry, Tarner Island

None

An Dubh Sgeir, An Stac, Macleod's Maidens

Carraig Shleamhuinn, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Dubh Beag, Eilean Glas, Eilean Grianal, Eilean Mòr, Eilean na h-Eigheach, Eilean Traigh, Garay Island, Garbh Eilean, Lampay

Caisteal an Fhithich

Eilean Beag, Eilean Mòr

Eilean Creagach, Eilean Garave, Eilean Iosal, Sgeir à Chapuill, Sgeir à Chuin, South Ascrib

An t-Iasgair, Eilean Chaluim-chille, Eilean Flodigarry, Holm Island, Sgeir na Eireann, Staffin Island, Tulm Island,

Eilean na Ruadhaich, Glas Eilean, Sgeir Dubh

North Highland coast

Glas Eilean

Am Fraoch-eilean

Black Islands, Eilean à Mhal, Eileanan Dubha, Eilean na Crèadha, Eilean nan Gobhar Beag, Eilean nan Gobhar Mòr

An Garbh-Eilean, Eilean an-t-Sratha, Eilean Glasiach, Eilean na Beinne, Eilean na Creige Duibhe, Eilean nan Fraoich, Eilean nan Stac, Kishorn Island, Sgeir Bhuidhe, Sgeir Fhada, Strome Islands,

À Ghlas-leac, An Garbh-Eilean, Eilean à Bhata, Eilean à Chait, Eilean an Duine, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Dubh Dhurinis, Eilean Lagach, Eilean na Bà Beag, Eilean na Bà Mòr, Eilean nam Fiadh, Eilean na Sgeir-Feor, Eilean nan Gamhainn, Eilean Stacan, Eilean Sgreabach, Sgeir Bhuidhe

An Ruadh-Eilean, Eilean Chuaig, Eilean na Bà, Eilean nan Naomh,

Eilean à Chaoil, Eilean an Inbhire Bhàin, Eilean Dùghaill, Eilean Mòr, Eilean Tioram, Sgeir Ghlas, Sgeir na Trian, Shieldaig Island

Eilean an t-Sabhail, Eilean Shieldaig, Fraoch-eilean, Glas Eilean, Na Dùnain

Glas Leac, Soyea Island

An Calbh, Eilean à Bhuic, Eilean Rairidh, Meall Beag, Meall Mòr, Sgeir à Chlaidheimh

Eilean à Ghamhna, Eilean na Furaradh, Eilean na Rainich, Garbh Eilean

Dubh Sgeirean, Eilean à Chadh-fi, Eilean à Mhadaidh, Eileanan Dubha, Eilean an Eireannaich, Eilean an t-Sithein, Eilean Àrd, Eilean Dubh an Teoir, Eilean Dubh na Fionndalach Bige, Eilean Dubh nam Boc, Eilean Meall à Chaorainn, Eilean na Carraig, Eilean na Saille, Eilean Port à Choit, Glas Leac, Rubh' à Cheathraimh Ghairbh, Sgeirean Cruaidhe, Sgeir Eorna, Sgeir Fhanda, Sgeir Iosal, Sgeir Ruadh

Eilean à Chonnaidh, Eilean Dubh, Glas Leac, Na Clusnadh

Small archipelagos

There are various small island groups within the Inner Hebrides that are included above. The largest of these mini-archipelagos are:

There is another group of islets off Craighouse on the east coast of Jura called the Small Isles.[31]

See also

References and footnotes

General references
Notes
Citations

Notes and References

  1. Mac an Tàilleir, Iain 1901–2001 Gaelic in the Census, PowerPoint Presentation made available via Linguae Celticae . Retrieved 1 June 2008.
  2. http://www.nlb.org.uk/ourlights/library.htm "Lighthouse Library"
  3. Keay & Keay (1994) p. 507
  4. Encyclopædia Britannica (1978) states: "Hebrides – group of islands of the west coast of Scotland extending in an arc between 55.35 and 58.30 N and 5.26 and 8.40 W." This includes Gigha, St Kilda and everything up to Cape Wrath – although not North Rona.
  5. The definition of an island used in this list is that it is "land that is surrounded by seawater on a daily basis, but not necessarily at all stages of the tide, excluding human devices such as bridges and causeways". Other definitions are used in the Scottish context. For example, the General Register Office for Scotland define an island as "a mass of land surrounded by water, separate from the Scottish mainland" but although they include islands linked by bridges etc. this is not clear from this definition. Haswell-Smith (2004) uses "an Island is a piece of land or group of pieces of land which is entirely surrounded by water at Lowest Astronomical Tide and to which there is no permanent means of dry access". This is widely agreed to be unhelpful as it intentionally excludes bridged islands.
  6. Mac an Tàilleir (2003) various pages.
  7. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/skye/bridge/ "Skye Bridge"
  8. http://www.eileandonancastle.com/visitor-information/history.htm "History"
  9. Geographically, the inhabited islands can easily be separated into those that are or surround Islay, Gigha, Mull, and Skye or are in the Small Isles, Slate Islands, Firth of Lorn, Crowlin Islands, Summer Isles, one of the major sea lochs or the North Highland group.
  10. Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 30, 79, 130, 148 and 182 except estimates from Ordnance Survey maps as indicated.
  11. Haswell-Smith (2004) and Ordnance Survey maps. Blanks indicate that no name is recorded for this eminence.
  12. Ordnance Survey maps mark the height above sea level of a high point on most islands, but in a small number of cases, this may not be the highest point.
  13. Although obviously inhabited (there is a hotel on the island) the General Registers Office did not provide a population total for this tidal island in either the 2001 or 2011 censuses.
  14. See for example Hunter (2000) pp. 152–158
  15. See for example Maclean (1977) Chapter 10: "Arcady Despoiled" pp. 125–35
  16. Keay & Keay (1994) p. 894
  17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1457035.stm "Britain's 'Anthrax Island' "
  18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1643031.stm "Living with anthrax island"
  19. Lunga is at .
  20. Eilean Mòr is at .
  21. Haswell-Smith (2004) and Ordnance Survey maps for islands <40 ha (100 acres) unless otherwise stated.
  22. http://www.argyll-yachtcharters.co.uk/Scottish%20Islands.pdf Rick Livingstone's Tables of the Islands of Scotland
  23. estimate from Ordnance Survey maps.
  24. Web site: The Lady's Rock – Lismore in Alba. Clan MacLea. 25 July 2009. 5 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100605021654/http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/Lady_Rock.htm. live.
  25. Murray (1973) p. 158
  26. http://www.nlb.org.uk/historical/faqs.htm#q3 "Historical Information"
  27. Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 67
  28. http://www.southernhebrides.com/slate-islands.html "Slate Islands – The Islands that Roofed the World"
  29. Stevenson, R.L. (1988 – first published 1883). Kidnapped. Edinburgh. Canongate.
  30. This refers to the historic county of Argyll rather than the modern council area of Argyll and Bute. Since 1996 this section has been in the Highland council area.
  31. Web site: Welcome to Jura. PDF. Jura Development Trust. 17 October 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100928183820/http://www.juradevelopment.co.uk/wp-content/themes/bespoke/welcometojura.pdf. 28 September 2010.