The freshwater islands in Scotland include those within freshwater lochs and rivers – including tidal areas, so the islands may not always be surrounded by freshwater. It has been estimated that there are at least 31,460 freshwater lochs in Scotland and that 1.9 per cent of the land surface is covered by freshwater. The distribution has a north-west to south-east gradient, with the highest concentrations occurring on the islands of the Outer Hebrides.[1]
The more notable freshwater islands include Lochindorb Castle Island, Loch Leven Castle Island, St Serf's Inch and Inchmahome, each of which have had a role to play in Scottish history.[2] [3] [4] [5] Inchmurrin, the largest freshwater island in the British Isles, is in Loch Lomond, which contains thirty or more other islands.[6]
Various names are used repeatedly. "Inch" or Scots: Innis is a Scots word that can mean 'island' (although it is also used for terra firma surrounded by marsh). Similarly, Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: Eilean is the Gaelic for 'island'. A common suffix for offshore islands in the north of Scotland is "-holm", derived from the Old Norse Norse, Old: holmr, meaning a 'small and rounded islet'.[7] [8] [9] This list excludes artificial crannógs and the numerous small freshwater islands with no recorded name.
This table includes all of the freshwater islands that exceed 35ha in size and/or are populated.
| Island | Location | Area[10] | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunglass Island | River Conon | 40ha | 0 | |
| Eilean Mòr | Loch Langavat | 59ha | 0 | |
| Eilean Ruairidh Mòr | Loch Maree | 38ha | 0 | |
| Eilean Sùbhainn | Loch Maree | 118ha | 0 | |
| Garbh Eilean | Loch Maree | 39ha | 0 | |
| Inchcailloch | Loch Lomond | 50ha | 0 | |
| Inchconnachan | Loch Lomond | 35ha | 0 | |
| Inchfad | Loch Lomond | 35ha | 1 | |
| Inchlonaig | Loch Lomond | 80ha | 0 | |
| Inchmurrin | Loch Lomond | 120ha[11] | 8 | |
| Inchtavannach | Loch Lomond | 70ha | 3 | |
| Innis Chonan | Loch Awe | 8ha | 5 | |
| Contin Island | Black Water | 15 ha (37 acres) | 3 | |
| Moncreiffe Island | River Tay | 46ha | 3 | |
| St Serf's Inch | Loch Leven | 31ha | 0 |
Inchlonaig and Inchcruin are classified by the National Records of Scotland as "inhabited islands but had no usual residents at the time of either the 2001 or 2011 censuses." It is likely that Eilean Aigas is inhabited, at least from time to time as well, although it was not listed as such by the Census in 2001 or 2011.
Loch Awe is Scotland's longest loch and abounds with islands and crannógs. Several of the islands are, or have in the past, been inhabited; there are two castles and the remains of a chapel on the islands.[12] Inistrynich, Eilean na Maodail, Eilean Dubh and Liever Island are all promontories as opposed to islands despite their names. The loch's water levels have fluctuated so some of them may have been islands in recent history, as the promontory on which Kilchurn Castle stands once was.[13]
There may be up to sixty islands in the Loch Lomond including Inchmurrin, the largest freshwater island anywhere in the Britain and Ireland, and Inchconnachan, which has hosted a small population of Red-necked Wallaby since at least 1975.[14] [15] The isolated strongholds of Lochindorb Castle and Loch an Eilein Castle were once in the hands of the 14th century nobleman Alexander Stewart, the infamous "Wolf of Badenoch".[16] [17] There are numerous unnamed small islands in mainland lochs, including those where the water level has been artificially raised by the creation of dams for the production of hydro-electricity. This process has created new islands that would previously have been small eminences.[18]
| Local authority | Loch | width=10% | OS Grid reference | Islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire | Loch of Strathbeg | Red Rock | ||
| Argyll and Bute | Loch Avich | Eilean Fraoch, Innis Luana | ||
| Argyll and Bute | Loch Awe | Badan Tomain, Black Islands, Eilean Beith, Eilean a' Chòmhraidh, Eilean a' Chrochaidh, Eilean an t-Sagairt (2), Eilean an t-Slinne, Eilean nam Meann, Eilean Seileachan, Fraoch Eilean, Innis Chonan, Innis Chonnel, Innis Errich, Innis Sèa-ràmhach, Innis Stiùire, Inishail | ||
| Argyll and Bute | Loch Bà | Eilean Molach | ||
| Argyll and Bute/Stirling/West Dunbartonshire | Loch Lomond | Aber Isle, Bucinch, Ceardach, Clairinsh, Creagan Dubha, Creinch, Eilean Deargannan, Eilean na h-Aon Chraoibhe, Ellanderroch, Fraoch Eilean, Inchcailloch, Inchconnachan, Inchcruin, Inchfad, Inchgalbraith, Inchlonaig, Inchmoan, Inchmurrin, Inchtavannach, Inveruglas Isle, Island I Vow, Keppinch, Stot Isle, Ross Isles, Tarbet Isle, Torrinch, Wallace's Isle | ||
| Ayrshire | Bogton Loch | Elizabeth Isle | ||
| Ayrshire | Loch Doon | Castle Isle | ||
| Ayrshire | Loch Finlas | McDowalls Island | ||
| Ayrshire | Loch Macaterick | Blaeberry Isle, Deer Isle, Eagles Isle | ||
| Badenoch and Strathspey | Loch an Eilein | Loch an Eilein Castle | ||
| Badenoch and Strathspey | Loch Insh | Tom Dubh | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Black Loch or Loch Crindil | Heron Isle | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Carlingwark Loch | Fir Island, Ash Island | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Fell Loch | Fern Island | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Loch Kindar | Kirk Kindar Island | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Loch Ken | Burned Island, Corselands, Danevale Island, Green Island, Kenmure Holms, Parton Island, Parton Ward | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Loch Moan | Black Island, White Island | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Loch Trool | Maiden Isle, Ringielawn or the Soldiers' Holm | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Loch Urr | Rough Island | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | Mochrum Loch | Gargrie Island, Kid Islands, Long Island, Round Island, Rowan Island, Scar Island, Scart Islands, Underwood | ||
| Dumfries and Galloway | White Loch or Loch of Inch | Inch Crindil | ||
| Inverness | Loch a' Mhuillidh | Eilean a' Mhuillidha | ||
| Inverness | Loch Laggan | Eilean an Righ | ||
| Inverness | Loch Moy | Eilean nan Clach, Isle of Moy | ||
| Lochaber | Loch Arkaig | An t-Eilean Beag, Eilean a' Ghiubhais, Eilean Loch Airceig | ||
| Lochaber | Loch Bà | Eilean Molach, Eilean na h-Iolaire | ||
| Lochaber | Loch Eilt | Eilean an Tighe, Eilean Gaineamhach, Eilean Mòr, Eilean na Moine, Eilean nan Corra-ghriodhach | ||
| Lochaber | Loch Morar | An t-Eilean Meadhoin, Brinacory Island, Eilean Allmha, Eilean a' Phidhir, Eilean Bàn, Eilean Ghibbi, Eilean nam Breac, Eilean nan Reithean | ||
| Lochaber | Loch Quoich | Rubha Dubh nam Fiad | ||
| Lochaber | Loch Shiel | Eilean Comlach, Eilean Drollaman, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Fhianain, Eilean Ghleann Fhionainn, Eilean Mhic Dhomhnuill Dhuibh, Seilag | ||
| Moray | Lochindorb | Lochindorb Castle island | ||
| Perth and Kinross | Loch Earn | Neish Island | ||
| Perth and Kinross | Loch Leven | Loch Leven Castle Island, St Serf's Inch | ||
| Perth and Kinross | Loch of Clunie | Clunie Castle Island | ||
| Perth and Kinross | Loch Tay | Isle of Spar | ||
| Perth and Kinross | Loch Tummel | An Dùn | ||
| Perth and Kinross/Lochaber | Loch Laidon | Eilean Iubhair | ||
| Ross and Cromarty | Fionn Loch | Eilean a' Garbh Uilt, Eilean an Eich Bhàin, Eilean Fraoich, Eilean nan Corrichean | ||
| Ross and Cromarty | Loch Maree | Eilean Camas a' Chonnaidh, Eilean nan Clachairean, Eilean a' Chlamhain, Eilean na Craoibhe, Eilean na Creige Giubhas, Eilean Dubh na Sròine, Eilean Eachainn, Eilean Ghrùididh, Eilean Loisgte, Eilean Mhic a' Fhùlaraich, Eilean Ruairidh Beag, Eilean Ruairidh Mòr, Eilean Sùbhainn, Garbh Eilean, Isle Maree | ||
| Ross and Cromarty | Loch Monar | Creag Ghrada | ||
| Ross and Cromarty | Loch Sionasgaig | Eilean Dubh (3), Eilean Mòr, Sgeirean Dubha | ||
| Ross and Cromarty | Loch Ussie | Eilean Beag, Eilean Mòr | ||
| Stirling | Loch Ard | Briedach, Dundochill,[19] Eilean Gorm | ||
| Stirling | Loch Dochart | Loch Dochart Castle Island | ||
| Stirling | Loch Katrine | Black Island, Eilean Bàn, Eilean Dharag, Eilean Molach, Lady's Isle, Otter Island | ||
| Stirling | Lake of Menteith | Dog Isle, Inchmahome, Inch Talla | ||
| Sutherland | Loch Assynt | Eilean an Sgudain, Eilean Assynt, Eilean Dubh | ||
| Sutherland | Loch Loyal | Eilean Mòr, Eilean na Gaire, Eilean nan Crodh, Eilean Fraoich | ||
| Sutherland | Loch nan Clàr | Eilean nam Meann, Rubha Mòr |
Although there are many crannógs in the lochs of the Inner Hebrides there are relatively few substantive, naturally occurring islands and of those that exist many are unnamed.By contrast there are innumerable small islands in the estimated 7,500 lochs of the Eilean Siar,[1] only a small proportion of which are named by the Ordnance Survey.[20]
The Orkney and Shetland archipelagos to the north are similarly lacking in freshwater islands. Law Ting Holm, now attached to Mainland Shetland, was the location of the national þing, or Norse parliament of Shetland.[21]
| Archipelago | Island | Loch | width=10% | OS Grid reference | Islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner Hebrides | Loch Finlaggan | Eilean Mòr, Eilean na Comhairle | |||
| Inner Hebrides | Islay | Loch Gorm | Eilean Mòr, Eilean nan Uan | ||
| Inner Hebrides | Mull | Loch Frisa | Eilean Bàn, Eilean Dubh | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Benbecula | Loch Dùn Mhurchaidh | Dùn Buidhe, Eilean Dubh | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Benbecula | Loch Eilean Iain | Eilean Iain | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Benbecula | Loch Langabhat | Eilean Ghillechriosda | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Benbecula | Loch Olabhat | Eilean Fiadhaich | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Benbecula | Loch Olabhat | Dùn Aonias, Dùn Ruadh | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Great Bernera | Loch Barabhat | Dùn Barabhat | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Airigh Seibh | Eileanan Dubh | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Fada Gobha | Eilean Cro Balair | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Lagasbhat Àrd | Eilean Ard, Eilean na Cachlaidh | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Lagasbhat Ìarach | Eilean Cleit Surraidh, Eilean Choinoich | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Langavat | Eilean a' Faof, Eilean Mhic Fail, Eilean Mòr, Tearead, Tearead Thioram, Tearead Fhliuch | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Mòr Bharabhais | Eilean Àird Fhianuis | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Morsgail | Eilean an Tighe | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Orasaigh | Rainish Eilean Mòr | ||
| Outer Hebrides | Lewis | Loch Trealalabhal | Eilean nan Cnàmh, Eilean nan Uan, Eilean Mòr Loch Trealaval, Eilean Dubh Mhic Leoid | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch an Eilean | Dùn a' Ghaillain | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch an t-Sruith Mhòir | Eilean Glas Mòr, Eilean na Caora Glaise, Eilean nam Faoileag | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Aonghais | Dùn Aonghais | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Carabhat | Dùn Bàn, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Glas | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Dùn an t-Siamain | Dùn an t-Siamain | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Eubhal | Dùn Mhic Raouill | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Fhada | Adam Fraoich, Eilean Dubh Mòr, Eilean Mossam | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Hundair | Dùn Bàn | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch nan Eun | Eilean Buidhe | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch nan Garbh Chlachan | Dùn Bàn | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch nan Geireann | Aird Reamhar, Eilean Glas | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch nan Strùban | Eilean Achotain | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Obasaraigh | Eilean Fada, Eilean Leathann, Eilean Mòr | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Olabhat | Eilean Dòmhnuill | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Sgadabhagh | Eilean Dubh Mòr | ||
| Outer Hebrides | North Uist | Loch Sgealtair | Dùn Eilean Buidhe | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Loch an Dùin Mhor | Dùn Mòr | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Loch an Eilein | Eilean Bheagram | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Loch Bì | Brostam More, Brostam Beg, Chiasmul, Eilean a Charnan, Eilean Dubh an Tairbeirt, Limalum More | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Loch Druidibeag | Dùn Buidhe, Dùn Ragbhail, Eilean an Rana | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Loch Dùn na Buail'-uachdraich | Dùn na Buail'-uachdraich[22] | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Loch Dùn na Cille | Dùn na Killie, Eilean Buidhe, Eilean Fraoich | ||
| Outer Hebrides | South Uist | Unnamed lochan | Eilean nan Rámh | ||
| Orkney | Mainland | Loch of Harray | Holm of Kirkness, Ling Holm, Ling Holms, Long Holm, Sand Holm | ||
| Orkney | Mainland | Loch of Swannay | Muckle Holm | ||
| Orkney | Rousay | Loch of Wasbister | The Burrian | ||
| Shetland | Mainland | Loch of Tingwall | Holme of Setter | ||
| Shetland | Unst | Loch of Watlee | Little Holm |
No part of Scotland is more than about 80.4km (50miles) from the sea[23] and as a result Scotland's rivers are neither very wide nor long (although Scotland has many substantial salt water estuaries called firths). The below are islands in freshwater, or where indicated, occasionally reached by high tides and in brackish water.
Broch of Clickimin was an islet in Loch of Clickimin just west of Lerwick in Shetland that is now attached to mainland Shetland by a stone causeway.[24] Similarly, to the northwest Law Ting Holm was an islet in Loch of Tingwall attached to mainland Shetland by a submerged stone causeway but with changing water levels of the loch it is now a promontory. Although thought to be the site of last þing held in Shetland it has never been excavated.
There are several former islands in the Tay, created by natural silting and artificial reclamation including: Big Island, Bloody Inches near Murthly, North Inch and South Inch in Perth, Richards Islands, Sleepless Inch and The Inch near Inchtuthil.