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Argyll (; archaically Argyle, in modern Gaelic, ), sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and registration county 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 th ...
. 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 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", partic ...
and
duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of Royal family, royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, t ...
dom, the
Dukedom of Argyll Duke of Argyll ( gd, Diùc Earraghàidheil) is a title created in the peerage of Scotland in 1701 and in the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892. The earls, marquesses, and dukes of Argyll were for several centuries among the most powerful ...
. 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 populat ...
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 nor ...
and
Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire ( gd, Siorrachd Dhùn Breatann) or the County of Dumbarton is a historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbartonshire borders P ...
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 Renfrewshire () ( sco, Renfrewshire; gd, Siorrachd Rinn Friù) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Re ...
and
Ayrshire Ayrshire ( gd, Siorrachd Inbhir Àir, ) is a Counties of Scotland, 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, North Ayrshi ...
to the south-east, and Buteshire 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 202 ...
, excluding the
Isle of Bute The Isle of Bute ( sco, Buit; gd, Eilean Bhòid or '), known as Bute (), is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, United Kingdom. It is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault. Formerly a constituent is ...
and the
Helensburgh Helensburgh (; gd, Baile Eilidh) is an affluent coastal town on the north side of the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, situated at the mouth of the Gareloch. Historically in Dunbartonshire, it became part of Argyll and Bute following local govern ...
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 Tarbe ...
and
Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan (, gd, Àird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas) is a peninsula in the ward management area of Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoiled and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main acces ...
areas of the
Highland council area Highland ( gd, A' Ghàidhealtachd, ; sco, Hieland) is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in the United Kingdom. It was the 7th most populous council area in Scotland at the 2011 census. It shar ...
. There was an Argyllshire constituency of the Parliament of Great Britain then
Parliament of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom, supreme Legislature, legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace of We ...
, 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 Norse is a demonym for Norsemen, a medieval North Germanic ethnolinguistic group ancestral to modern Scandinavians, defined as speakers of Old Norse from about the 9th to the 13th centuries. Norse may also refer to: Culture and religion * Nor ...
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 Wester Ross () is an area of the Northwest Highlands of Scotland in the council area of Highland. The area is loosely defined, and has never been used as a formal administrative region in its own right, but is generally regarded as lying to t ...
. It acquired the name ''North Argyll'' as it was settled by missionaries and refugees from Dál Riata, based at the abbey of Applecross. 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 12 ...
, 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, 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 f ...
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 Ardnamurchan (, gd, Àird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas) is a peninsula in the ward management area of Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoiled and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main acces ...
and
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 Tarbe ...
– divided by Loch Sunart, with a large inland section – known traditionally as Ardgour – bounded on the east by Loch Linnhe. This loch gradually narrows, before turning sharply west in the vicinity of Fort William (where it is known as 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 A peninsula (; ) is a landform that extends from a mainland and is surrounded by water on most, but not all of its borders. A peninsula is also sometimes defined as a piece of land bordered by w ...
, 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 to the north; to the east of this lies the River Shiel 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 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 and Càrna. 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 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 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 AM or Am may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * A minor, a minor scale in music * ''A.M.'' (Chris Young album) * ''A.M.'' (Wilco album) * ''AM'' (Abraham Mateo album) * ''AM'' (Arctic Monkeys album) * AM (musician), American musician ...
*
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 Big or BIG may refer to: * Big, of great size or degree Film and television * ''Big'' (film), a 1988 fantasy-comedy film starring Tom Hanks * '' Big!'', a Discovery Channel television show * ''Richard Hammond's Big'', a television show present ...
* Càrna * Dearg Sgeir * Dubh Sgeir * 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 is an uninhabited, tidal island opposite 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 elevation is . At lo ...
* Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart (inner) * 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 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 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 (inner Loch Sunart) * Glas Eilean (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 ...
*
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 ...
*
Red Rocks Red Rocks Amphitheatre (also colloquially as simply Red Rocks) is an open-air amphitheatre built into a rock structure in the western United States, near Morrison, Colorado, west of Denver. There is a large, tilted, disc-shaped rock behind t ...
* Risga * 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 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 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 region immediately nor ...
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. North ...
on the other side of the North Channel. 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,
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 Connel ( Gaelic: ''A' Choingheal'') is a village ...
, Craignish,
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 and
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 region immediately nor ...
, 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 Craignish, 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 Soun ...
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 af ...
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 lies the island of
Bute Bute or BUTE may refer to: People * Marquess of Bute, a title in the Peerage of Great Britain; includes lists of baronets, earls and marquesses of Bute * Lord of Bute, a title in medieval Scotland, including a list of lords * Lucian Bute (born ...
, which is part of Buteshire, and to east across Loch Long lies the Rosneath peninsula in
Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire ( gd, Siorrachd Dhùn Breatann) or the County of Dumbarton is a historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbartonshire borders P ...
. 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,
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,
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, Lochan Shira, the Cruachan Reservoir, Loch Restil,
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, Blackmill Loch, 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 Loskin, Loch Eck, Asgog Loch, Loch Tarsan, 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'' () 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 Garasdale ''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 ...
,
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 *
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 (''comprising Eilean Mòr, Eilean Fraoich and Eilean Buidhe'') * Island Davaar * 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 in 14 ...
* Eilean nam Meann * Glas Eilean * Gluniform Island * Henrietta Reef *
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 *
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, f ...
*
Scart Rocks SCART (also known as or , especially in France, 21-pin EuroSCART in marketing by Sharp in Asia, Euroconector in Spain, EuroAV or EXT, or EIA Multiport in the United States, as an EIA interface) is a French-originated standard and associated 21- ...
* 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 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 ...
and
Eigg Eigg (; gd, Eige; sco, Eigg) is one of the Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of the Isle of Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is long from north to south, and east to west. With an ar ...
(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 *
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 * Calve Island *
Canna Canna may refer to: Places * Canna, Western Australia, a locality in the Shire of Morawa, Australia * Canna, Calabria, a ''comune'' in the Province of Cosenza, Italy * Cannae, a ''frazione'' in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Ita ...
* Cara Island * Carraig an Daimh * Carsaig Island * Coiresa *
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 f ...
* 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 ...
* Dubh Sgeir * Eagamol *
Eag na Maoile EAG may refer to: Science and medicine * Electroantennography * Estimated average glucose * European Association of Geochemistry Transport * Eagle Airways, a defunct New Zealand airline * Eaglehawk railway station, in Victoria, Australia * Ea ...
*
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 ...
* 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 ...
* 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 Coinnich *
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 Musdile Eilean Musdile (Mansedale) is an islet, and lighthouse to the south west of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides. The island lies in the entrance to Loch Linnhe, separated from Lismore by a sound ¼ miles across. It is a low-lying rock, in size, with ...
* Eilean na Cloiche * Eilean na Cille * 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 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 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 * Erisgeir * Eriska *
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 There are many small islands in Scotland called Flodday (Scots Gaelic: Flodaigh) or similar and this list provides a guide to their location. The derivation of the name is from the Old Norse ''floti'' meaning "raft" or "float". The similar island n ...
*
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 {{disambig Garbh is an Irish word describing a ''rugged'' landscape feature. It can be found in : * Garbh Sgeir, skerry in the Small Isles in Scotland ; * Garbh Eileach, skerry in the Garvellachs The Garvellachs (Scottish Gaelic: Garbh Eileaic ...
* 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 * Guirasdeal * Hàslam * Humla * Inch Kenneth *
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 *
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 the ...
* Island Macaskin * Islay *
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 Hyskeir ( gd, Òigh-sgeir) or Heyskeir is a low-lying rocky islet (a skerry) in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The Hyskeir Lighthouse marks the southern entrance to the Minch. Geography Hyskeir lies in the southern entrance to the Minch, 10 ...
(''in Gaelic, Oigh-Sgeir'') * Jura * Kerrera * 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 *
Luing Luing ( ; Gaelic: ''Luinn'') is one of the Slate Islands, Firth of Lorn, in the west of Argyll in Scotland, about south of Oban. The island has an area of and is bounded by several small skerries and islets. It has a population of around 200 ...
* Lunga * MacCormaig Isles * Maisgeir * Muck *
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 *
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 ...
*
Orsay Orsay () is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France. It is located in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, from the centre of Paris. A fortified location of the Chevreuse valley since the 8th century a ...
* Rèidh Eilean * Rèisa an t-Struith * Rèisa Mhic Phaidean * Ruadh Sgeir * Rùm * Samalan Island * Sanday *
Scarba Scarba ( gd, Sgarba) is an island, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, just north of the much larger island of Jura. The island was owned by Richard Hill, 7th Baron Sandys, and has not been permanently inhabited since the 1960s. It is now covered in ...
* 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 ar ...
* 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 Shian ( fa, شيان, also Romanized as Shīān and Sheyān; also known as Bala yi Shiān, Balūshīān and Shīlān) is a village in Zhavarud-e Sharqi Rural District, in the Central District of Sanandaj County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. At the ...
* 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 * Soa, near Coll * Soa, Tiree * Soa, near Mull * Staffa * Taynish Island * Sùil Ghorm * Texa *
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 ...
* Torran Rocks *
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. Th ...
* Treshnish Isles * Ulva 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 on Islay File:Gylen Castle, Kerrera - geograph.org.uk - 1640107.jpg, Gylen Castle 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 purposes Chambers 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
Laird Laird () is the owner of a large, long-established Scottish estate. In the traditional Scottish order of precedence, a laird ranked below a baron and above a gentleman. This rank was held only by those lairds holding official recognition in a ...
ship), such as a
mormaer In early Middle Ages, medieval Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland, a mormaer was the Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic name for a regional or provincial ruler, theoretically second only to the Kings of Scots, King of Scots, and the senior of a ''Toísech'' (chi ...
dom, 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", partic ...
dom, and typically survived as a '' regality'' (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. However, in 1293, king John Balliol established the post of
sheriff of Kintyre The Sheriff of Kintyre was historically the royal official responsible for enforcing law and order in Kintyre, Scotland and bringing criminals to justice. The sheriffdom was created in 1293 by King John of Scotland in an effort to maintain peace ...
. In 1326, Dougall Campbell, son of Neil Campbell, was rewarded for Campbell 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 eventuall ...
; Dougall was grandson of the baron of Innis Chonnell, 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 until the late 15th century. In 1476, John MacDonald, the Lord of the Isles, quitclaimed Kintyre and Knapdale (including the region between
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 ...
and
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 Soun ...
) to Scotland, and initially Knapdale was served by the Sheriff of Perth. However, in 1481, it was placed under the control of '' Tarbertshire'' – an expanded sheriffdom of Kintyre. The
Scottish Reformation The Scottish Reformation was the process by which Scotland broke with the Papacy and developed a predominantly Calvinist national Kirk (church), which was strongly Presbyterian in its outlook. It was part of the wider European Protestant Refor ...
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 James is a common English language surname and given name: *James (name), the typically masculine first name James * James (surname), various people with the last name James James or James City may also refer to: People * King James (disambiguat ...
, the Campbells were sent to Islay 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, 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 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 A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a stat ...
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 ...
. Archibald Campbell (Earl of Argyll) was instructed by the privy council 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 Jacobite means follower of Jacob or James. Jacobite may refer to: Religion * Jacobites, followers of Saint Jacob Baradaeus (died 578). Churches in the Jacobite tradition and sometimes called Jacobite include: ** Syriac Orthodox Church, sometimes ...
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
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 populat ...
, Perthshire,
Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire ( gd, Siorrachd Dhùn Breatann) or the County of Dumbarton is a historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbartonshire borders P ...
, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and
Bute Bute or BUTE may refer to: People * Marquess of Bute, a title in the Peerage of Great Britain; includes lists of baronets, earls and marquesses of Bute * Lord of Bute, a title in medieval Scotland, including a list of lords * Lucian Bute (born ...
. Renfrewshire and Ayrshire are on the other side of 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 ...
, 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 '' ...
. The county town of Argyll was historically Inveraray, which is still the seat of the
Duke of Argyll Duke of Argyll ( gd, Diùc Earraghàidheil) is a title created in the peerage of Scotland in 1701 and in the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892. The earls, marquesses, and dukes of Argyll were for several centuries among the most powerful ...
. 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, t ...
, Dunoon 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 fishi ...
. 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 Small Isles of Muck or Muick, Rhum or Rùm,
Canna Canna may refer to: Places * Canna, Western Australia, a locality in the Shire of Morawa, Australia * Canna, Calabria, a ''comune'' in the Province of Cosenza, Italy * Cannae, a ''frazione'' in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Ita ...
and Sanday were part of the county until they were transferred to
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 populat ...
in 1891 by the boundary commission appointed under the
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c. 50) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which was passed on 26 August 1889. The main effect of the act was to establish elected county councils in Scotland. In this it foll ...
. The island of Egg or
Eigg Eigg (; gd, Eige; sco, Eigg) is one of the Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of the Isle of Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is long from north to south, and east to west. With an ar ...
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
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 ...
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-lo ...
district called Argyll and Bute was formed in the
Strathclyde Strathclyde ( in Gaelic, meaning "strath (valley) of the River Clyde") was one of nine former local government regions of Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and abolished in 1996 by the Local Government ...
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 Isle of Bute ( sco, Buit; gd, Eilean Bhòid or '), known as Bute (), is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, United Kingdom. It is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault. Formerly a constituent is ...
(the former County of Bute was more extensive). The
Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan (, gd, Àird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas) is a peninsula in the ward management area of Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoiled and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main acces ...
, 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 ...
, Duror, Glencoe, Kinlochleven and
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 Tarbe ...
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 creati ...
District, in Highland. They remained in Highland following the 1996 revision. 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 ...
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 202 ...
was created, with a change in boundaries to include part of the former Strathclyde district of
Dumbarton Dumbarton (; also sco, Dumbairton; ) is a town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on the north bank of the River Clyde where the River Leven flows into the Clyde estuary. In 2006, it had an estimated population of 19,990. Dumbarton was the ca ...
.


Constituency

Starting in 1590, as one of the measures that followed the Scottish reformation, each sheriffdom elected commissioners 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 of ...
. As well as the commissioner representing ''Argyll'', at least one was sent to represent Tarbertshire, Sir Lachlan Maclean of
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 Tarbe ...
. In the 1630 parliamentary session, Sir Coll Lamont, laird of Lamont, was the commissioner for "Argyll ''and Tarbert''". There was an ''Argyllshire'' constituency of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801, and of the
Parliament of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom, supreme Legislature, legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace of We ...
from 1801 to 1983 (renamed ''Argyll'' in 1950). The 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 Ardnamurchan (, gd, Àird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas) is a peninsula in the ward management area of Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoiled and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main acces ...
*
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 fishi ...
*
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 f ...
* Colonsay and
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 ...
* Craignish * Dunoon and
Kilmun Kilmun ( gd, Cill Mhunna) is a linear settlement on the north shore of the Holy Loch, on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands.It takes its name from the 7th century monastic community founded by an Irish monk, St Munn (Fi ...
* Gigha and Cara Island * Glassary * Glen Orchy and Inishail * 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 Appin * Lochgilphead * Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich *
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 Tarbe ...
*North Knapdale *Saddell and Skipness *South Knapdale * Southend * Strachur * Strathlachlan *
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 ...
* Torosay, Mull


Settlements


Mainland (north)

* Acharacle * Achaphubuil *
Ardery Ardery is a village in Acharacle in Lochaber, Argyll, located a quarter mile from the north shore of Loch Sunart in the Highland, and is in the Scottish council area of the Highland Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the ...
* Ardgour *
Ardtoe 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 ...
*
Banavie Banavie (; gd, Banbhaidh) is a small settlement near Fort William in the Highland Council Area of Scotland. One of the closest villages to Ben Nevis, it is about northeast of Fort William town centre, next to Caol and Corpach. It has been s ...
*
Blaich Blaich ( gd, Blàthaich – as a noun, "buttermilk", or as a verb, "to heat/warm up") is a small community, on the south shore of Loch Eil on the A861 road, near Fort William, in the Ardgour area, Highlands of Scotland Scotland (, ) is ...
* Bonnavoulin *
Caol Caol ( Gaelic: ''An Caol'') is a village near Fort William, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is about north of Fort William town centre, on the shore of Loch Linnhe, and within the parish of Kilmallie. The name "Caol" is from th ...
* Clovullin * Corpach * Corran * Duisky * Fassfern * Glenborrodale *
Kentra Kentra is a hamlet overlooking the east coast of Kentra Bay, on the north east end of the Ardnamurchan peninsula near Acharacle, Scottish Highlands. It is in the Scottish council area of Highland Highlands or uplands are areas of high elevat ...
*
Kilchoan Kilchoan ( gd, Cille Chòmhain) is a village on the Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan, beside the Sound of Mull in Lochaber, Highland. It is the most westerly village in mainland Britain, although several tiny hamlets lie further west on th ...
* Kilmory *
Kinlocheil Kinlochiel ( gd, Ceann Loch Iall) is a hamlet on the north west shore of Loch Eil in Lochaber, Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish council area of Highland. It is a small, rural area that consists of a few scattered houses on the A830 to M ...
* Laga *
Lochaline Lochaline ( gd, Loch Àlainn) is the main village in the Morvern area of Highland, Scotland. The coastal village is situated at the mouth of Loch Aline, on the northern shore of the Sound of Mull. A ferry operates regularly over to Fishnish ...
* Melfort *
Newton of Ardtoe Newton of Ardtoe is a scattered crofting hamlet near Acharacle in Lochaber, Scottish Highlands and is in the council area of Highland Highlands or uplands are areas of high elevation such as a mountainous region, elevated mountainous plateau ...
*
Ockle Ockle ( gd, Ocal) is a remote hamlet, situated on the northcoast of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish council area of Highland. Ockle lies northeast of Kilchoan on the southern coast of the peninsula. The pub ...
*
Polloch Polloch is a remote hamlet, located at the north shore of the River Polloch, in an inlet that flows into Loch Shiel, in Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish council area of Highland Highlands or uplands are areas of high ...
* Portuairk * Resipole * Salen *
South Garvan South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz ...
*
Stronchreggan Stronchreggan ( gd, Sròn a' Chritheagain) is a scattered coastal hamlet, on the north eastern shores of Loch Linnhe, and is situated directly across from Fort William, Scotland, Fort William in Lochaber, Scottish Highlands and is in the counci ...
* Strontian * Trislaig


Mainland (south)

* Achahoish *
Achinhoan Achinhoan is a settlement on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and Bute, 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, ma ...
* Achnamara * Ardentinny *
Ardgartan Ardgartan is a hamlet, on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands. It is located on the shores of Loch Long, at the bottom of Glen Croe. Ardgartan lies within the Argyll Forest Park, which is itself within the Loch Lomond an ...
* Ardnadam * Ardrishaig * Ardtaraig * Ardulaine * Arrochar *
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 ...
* Barcaldine * Bellochantuy *
Benderloch Benderloch ( gd, Meadarloch, ) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The name is derived from ''Beinn eadar dà loch'', meaning "mountain between two lochs". Benderloch lies on the A828 road in the coastal parish of Ardchattan, Argyll, Sc ...
* Blairmore * Cairndow *
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 fishi ...
*
Carradale Carradale ( gd, Càradal, ) is a village on the east side of Kintyre, overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound and the west coast of the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, approximately from Campbeltown. To the north of Carradale is the coastal pe ...
*
Carrick Castle Carrick Castle is a 14th-century tower house on the west shore of Loch Goil on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located between Cuilmuich and Carrick, south of Lochgoilhead. The castle stands on a rocky peninsula, and w ...
* Clachaig *
Clachan A clachan ( ga, clochán or ; gd, clachan ; gv, claghan ) is a small settlement or hamlet on the island of Ireland, the Isle of Man and Scotland. Though many were originally kirktowns,MacBain, A. (1911) ''An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaeli ...
* Clachan of Glendaruel *
Claonaig Claonaig ( gd, Claonaig, ) is a hamlet on the east coast of the Kintyre peninsula in western Scotland, linked to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran by the CalMac ferry in the summer months. Claonaig is a hamlet south of Skipness and the locati ...
* Colintraive *
Connel Connel ( Gaelic: ''A' Choingheal'') is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated on the southern shore of Loch Etive. The Lusragan Burn flows through the village and into the loch. The most noticeable feature in the village is Conne ...
* Coylet * Craobh Haven * Crinan * Dalavich * Dalmally * Dippen *
Drumlemble Drumlemble (, ) is a small village on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The village of Drumlemble is approximately 4 miles to the west of the nearest town, Campbeltown, on the B843. Drumlemble Halt was a small station on the ...
*
Dumbeg The goblet drum (also chalice drum, tarabuka, tarabaki, darbuka, darabuka, derbake, debuka, doumbek, dumbec, dumbeg, dumbelek, toumperleki, tumbak, or zerbaghali; arz, دربوكة / Romanized: ) is a single-head membranophone with a goblet-s ...
* Dunoon * Duror * Ford * Furnace *
Glenbarr Glenbarr ( gd, Am Bàrr, ) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula. Glenbarr Abbey Nearby is Glenbarr Abbey, an 18th-century residence, built by Col. Matthew Macalister, 1st Laird of Glenb ...
* Glenbranter * Glencoe * Glendaruel *
Grogport Grogport (Scottish Gaelic: ''Gròb-phort'') is a hamlet in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the coast of Kintyre, on the Kilbrannan Sound, across from Pirnmill on the Isle of Arran. On the coast side of the B842 road that runs through Grog ...
* Hunters Quay *
Innellan Innellan is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on the western shore of the Firth of Clyde. It is four miles south of Dunoon. History The origin of the name "Innellan" is obscure. The village was developed as a holiday destination in V ...
* Inveraray * Inverchaolain * Invercreran * Kames * Kennacraig * Kentallen * Kilberry *
Kilchenzie Kilchenzie is a small farming community situated north of Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. It is reached from north and south by the A83 road The A83 is a major road in the south of Argyll and Bute, Scotland, runni ...
* Kilkerran * Kilmanshenachan * Kilmelford * Kilmore *
Kilmun Kilmun ( gd, Cill Mhunna) is a linear settlement on the north shore of the Holy Loch, on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands.It takes its name from the 7th century monastic community founded by an Irish monk, St Munn (Fi ...
* Kinlochleven * Kirn * Knipoch * Largiemore * Lochgair * Lochgilphead * Lochgoilhead * Machrihanish * Millhouse *
Muasdale Muasdale ( gd, Muasdal) is a hamlet on the western coast of the Kintyre Peninsula of Scotland. As of the year 2000 Muasdale had a population of 300.Robin Smith and Alan Lawson. 2000 By the year 1750 the Roy map showed a coastal track along the ...
* North Connel *
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, t ...
*
Ormsary Ormsary () is a hamlet in Knapdale, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. References Villages in Knapdale {{Argyll-geo-stub ...
* Otter Ferry *
Peninver Peninver (pronounced ''"Pe-NEE-ver")'' is a small village situated on the east coast of Kintyre, Scotland. It lies north of Campbeltown, the principal town in the area. The village is located on Ardnacross Bay, with an outlook over the bay to ...
*
Port Ann A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...
* Port Appin * Portavadie * Rashfield * St Catherines *
Saddell Saddell ( gd, Saghadal, ) is a small Scottish village situated on the east side of the Kintyre Peninsula of Argyll and Bute, overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound and the Isle of Arran, from Campbeltown on the B842 road to Carradale. The name Sa ...
* Sandbank * Skipness * Southend *
Stewarton Stewarton ( sco, Stewartoun,
gd, Baile nan Stiùbhar ...
* Strachur *
Strone Strone ( gd, An t-Sròn) is a village on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands at the point where the north shore of the Holy Loch becomes the west shore of the Firth of Clyde. The village lies within the Loch Lomond ...
* Succoth * Tarbert * Tayinloan * Taynuilt *
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 ...
* Tighnabruaich * Torinturk * Torrisdale *
Tullochgorm Tullochgorm is an old township parish which lies one mile south of Minard in the county of Argyll and Bute in Western Scotland and today comprises only six inhabited cottages. The parish originally supported more scattered hillside crofts; these ...
* Whistlefield *
Whitehouse Whitehouse may refer to: People * Charles S. Whitehouse (1921-2001), American diplomat * Cornelius Whitehouse (1796–1883), English engineer and inventor * E. Sheldon Whitehouse (1883-1965), American diplomat * Elliott Whitehouse (born 1993) ...


Inner Hebrides

* Ardbeg (Islay) *
Ardfernal Ardfernal ( gd, Àird Fheàrnail) is a hamlet on the island of Jura in 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 are ...
(Jura) * Ardilistry (Islay) * Ardmenish (Jura) * Ardtalla (Islay) * Ardtun (Mull) * Arinagour (Coll) *
Ballygrant Ballygrant () is a small village on the Inner Hebrides island of Islay of the western coast of Scotland. The village is within the parish of Killarow and Kilmeny. Ballygrant (Baile a' Ghràna) is the longest established village on Islay, pre-dat ...
(Islay) * Bowmore (Islay) *
Bridgend Bridgend (; cy, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr or just , meaning "the end of the bridge on the Ogmore") is a town in Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of Cardiff and east of Swansea. The town is named after the medieval bridge over the River Og ...
(Islay) * Bruichladdich (Islay) * Bunessan (Mull) * Bunnahabhain (Islay) *
Calgary Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, maki ...
(Mull) * Craighouse (Jura) *
Craignure Craignure (; gd, Creag an Iubhair) is a village and the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The village is within the parish of Torosay. Geography The village is located around Craignure Bay, on Mull's east coast ...
(Mull) *
Dervaig Dervaig ( gd, Dearbhaig) is a small village on the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. The village is within the parish of Kilninian and Kilmore, and is situated on the B8073. In 1961 it had a population of 82. The church is by Glasgow ...
(Mull) * Feolin (Jura) * Fionnphort (Mull) * Fishnish (Mull) * Kilchoman (Islay) * Kinloch (Rùm) * Kintra (Mull) * Knockan (Mull) * Lagavulin (Islay) * Laphroaig (Islay) * Lochbuie (Mull) * Nerabus (Islay) * Pennyghael (Mull) *
Port Askaig Port Askaig ( gd, Port Asgaig) is a port village on the east coast of the island of Islay, in Scotland. The village lies on the Sound of Islay (Caol Ìle) across from Jura. Economy Port Askaig has a hotel, a petrol station and shop next to th ...
(Islay) * Port Charlotte (Islay) * Port Ellen (Islay) *
Port Mòr Port Mòr is a harbour and settlement on the Isle of Muck in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Port Mòr is the most populated settlement on the island, currently with around fifteen residents. In 2005, a pier Seaside pl ...
(Muck) * Portnahaven (Islay) * Port Wemyss (Islay) * Salen (Mull) * Scalasaig (Colonsay) *
Scarinish Scarinish (Scottish Gaelic: ''Sgairinis'') is the main village on the island of Tiree, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is located on the south coast of the island, between Hynish Bay to the southwest and Gott Bay to the northeast. The harbo ...
(Tiree) *
Tiroran Tiroran is hamlet and country estate on the Isle of Mull in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Tiroran House is the principal house and small estate which is currently a well established holiday business with several properties & also home to the Whiteta ...
(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 railway runs through the far north of the county, stopping at
Locheilside , symbol_location = gb , symbol = rail , image = Locheilside Station - geograph.org.uk - 2566221.jpg , caption = The station seen in 2011 , borough = Loch Eil, Highland , country = Scotland , coordinates = , grid_name = Grid reference , ...
, Loch Eil Outward Bound, Corpach and
Banavie Banavie (; gd, Banbhaidh) is a small settlement near Fort William in the Highland Council Area of Scotland. One of the closest villages to Ben Nevis, it is about northeast of Fort William town centre, next to Caol and Corpach. It has been s ...
, before carrying on to
Mallaig Mallaig (; gd, Malaig derived from Old Norse , meaning sand dune bay) is a port in Lochaber, on the west coast of the Highlands of Scotland. The local railway station, Mallaig, is the terminus of the West Highland railway line (Fort Will ...
in Inverness-shire. A branch of the line also goes to
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, t ...
, calling at Dalmally,
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 ...
, Falls of Cruachan, Taynuilt and 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 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, t ...
,
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 ...
,
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 f ...
, Colonsay,
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 fishi ...
and Islay. Kintyre has been one of the mooted locations for a proposed 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 Clan Campbell ( gd, Na Caimbeulaich ) is a Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans. The Clan Campbell lands are in Argyll and within their lands lies Ben Cruachan. The chief of the cla ...
was the main clan of this region. The Campbell clan hosted the long line of the
Dukes of Argyll Duke of Argyll ( gd, Diùc Earraghàidheil) is a title created in the peerage of Scotland in 1701 and in the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892. The earls, marquesses, and dukes of Argyll were for several centuries among the most powerful ...
. * 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 Clan McCorquodale is a Scottish clan, recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, though without a chief so recognised. The last chief of the clan died in the 18th century. Because the clan does not have a recognised chief, it is considered an arm ...
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 Duart Castle, or ''Caisteal Dhubhairt'' in Scottish Gaelic, is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of Argyll and Bute. The castle dates back to the 13th century and ...
* Clan MacLachlan historically feuded with the Campbells, and espoused Jacobitism. Held lands on both sides of Loch Fyne, with its seat in
Strathlachlan Strachur; ( gd, Srath Chura) and Strathlachlan; ( gd, Srath Lachlainn) are united parishes located on the Cowal peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Strachur is a small village on the eastern coast of Loch Fyne. Geography Cowal is the l ...
*
Clan MacEwan Clan MacEwen or Clan MacEwan is a Scottish clan recorded in the fifteenth century as Clan Ewen of Otter. Historically, there have been several different MacEwen clans and septs, with some distinct, and some interrelated, origins for the modern ...
historically feuded with the Campbells, cousins of MacLachlans. Held lands in
Kilfinan Kilfinan is a hamlet on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located on the eastern side of Loch Fyne, the hamlet is northwest of the village of Tighnabruaich. Kilfinan is the burial place of the clan chiefs of the Lamonts, in the ...
.


Other notable residents

* Patrick MacKellar, (1717–1778), born in Argyll, military engineer, achieved his reputation on projects in the United States of America. * Baron Robertson of Port Ellen KT, GCMG, FRSA, FRSE, PC (born 12 April 1946, George Islay MacNeill Robertson), British Labour politician and tenth Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation * Eric Blair, better known as
George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to totalita ...
, 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 ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'' (also stylised as ''1984'') is a dystopian social science fiction novel and cautionary tale written by the English writer George Orwell. It was published on 8 June 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell's ninth and final ...
. * 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 Rosemary Sutcliff (14 December 1920 – 23 July 1992) was an English novelist best known for children's books, especially historical fiction and retellings of myths and legends. Although she was primarily a children's author, some of her novel ...
's novel ''
The Mark of the Horse Lord ''The Mark of the Horse Lord'' is a historical novel for children written by Rosemary Sutcliff and published in 1965. It won the first Phoenix Award in 1985. It takes place in Roman Britain and tells the tale of a gladiator who becomes involv ...
'' (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
Caledones The Caledonians (; la, Caledones or '; grc-gre, Καληδῶνες, ''Kalēdōnes'') or the Caledonian Confederacy were a Brittonic-speaking (Celtic) tribal confederacy in what is now Scotland during the Iron Age and Roman eras. The Gree ...
. * 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 in 2000. * The 1985 Scottish movie ''
Restless Natives ''Restless Natives'' is a 1985 Scottish cinema adventure comedy, directed by Michael Hoffman. Plot The story follows the adventures of two Scottish youths from the Wester Hailes district of Edinburgh, played by Vincent Friell and Joe Mulla ...
'' 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 ''Downton Abbey'' is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. The series first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United States on ...
'' 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


See also

* Argyle pattern * Medieval Diocese of Argyll *
Duke of Argyll Duke of Argyll ( gd, Diùc Earraghàidheil) is a title created in the peerage of Scotland in 1701 and in the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892. The earls, marquesses, and dukes of Argyll were for several centuries among the most powerful ...
*
List of counties of Scotland 1890–1975 This is a list of counties of Scotland created by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 and abolished in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The list includes the county town, area, and population density. Counties Cities His ...


Notes


References

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


Further reading


''The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland''
Vol. I. page 78, by Rev. John Marius Wilson.


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 Counties of Scotland Counties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922)