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Argyll (; archaically Argyle; , ), sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and
registration county A registration county was, in Great Britain and Ireland, a statistical unit used for the registration of births, deaths and marriages and for the output of census information. In Scotland registration counties are used for land registration purpose ...
of western
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
. The county ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975 and most of the area now forms part of the larger
Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute (; , ) is one of 32 unitary authority, unitary council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod ...
council area {{Unreferenced, date=May 2019, bot=noref (GreenC bot) A council area is one of the areas defined in Schedule 1 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 and is under the control of one of the local authorities in Scotland created by that Ac ...
. Argyll is of ancient origin, and broadly corresponds to the ancient kingdom of less the parts which were in
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. Argyll was also a medieval bishopric with its cathedral at Lismore. In medieval times the area was divided into a number of
provincial lordships Provincial lordships is a modern term used by historians to describe large feudal landholdings created in Scotland during the 12th and 13th centuries. These landholdings were granted by kings to their supporters to secure royal control of territori ...
. One of these, covering only the central part of the later county, was called Argyll. It was initially an earldom, elevated to become a
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 above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobi ...
dom in 1701 with the creation of the Duke of Argyll. Other lordships in the area included
Cowal Cowal () is a rugged peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland to the north, and is bounded by Loch Fyne to the west, by Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde to the east, and by the Kyles of Bute ...
,
Kintyre Kintyre (, ) 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 Loch Tarbert, Argyll, East and West Loch Tarbert, Argyll, West Loch Tarbert in t ...
, Knapdale, and Lorn. From at least the 14th century there was a Sheriff of Argyll, whose jurisdiction was gradually extended; from 1633 the
shire Shire () is a traditional term for an administrative division of land in Great Britain and some other English-speaking countries. It is generally synonymous with county (such as Cheshire and Worcestershire). British counties are among the oldes ...
covered all these five provinces. Shires gradually eclipsed the old provinces in administrative importance, and also became known as counties. Between 1890 and 1975, Argyll had a
county council A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries. Australia In the Australian state of New South Wales, county councils are special purpose ...
. The county town was historically Inveraray, but from its creation in 1890 the county council was based at
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
. The county is sparsely populated, with many islands and sea lochs along its coast, and the inland parts are mountainous. Six towns in the county held
burgh A burgh ( ) is an Autonomy, autonomous municipal corporation in Scotland, usually a city, town, or toun in Scots language, Scots. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when David I of Scotland, King David I created ...
status:
Campbeltown Campbeltown (; or ) is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre Peninsula. Campbeltown became an important centre for Scotch whisky, and a busy fishing port. The 2018 populatio ...
, Dunoon, Inveraray, Lochgilphead,
Oban Oban ( ; 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, Highland, Fort William. During the tourist seaso ...
, and Tobermory. Argyll borders Inverness-shire to the north,
Perthshire Perthshire (Scottish English, locally: ; ), officially the County of Perth, is a Shires of Scotland, historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore, Angus and Perth & Kinross, Strathmore ...
and
Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire () or the County of Dumbarton is a Shires of Scotland, historic county, lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbar ...
to the east, and (separated by the
Firth of Clyde The Firth of Clyde, is the estuary of the River Clyde, on the west coast of Scotland. The Firth has some of the deepest coastal waters of the British Isles. The Firth is sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Kintyre, Kintyre Peninsula. The ...
) neighbours
Renfrewshire Renfrewshire () (; ) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. Renfrewshire is located in the west central Lowlands. It borders East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire, and lies on the southern ba ...
and
Ayrshire Ayrshire (, ) is a Counties of Scotland, historic county and registration county, in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. The lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area of Ayrshire and Arran covers the entirety ...
to the south-east, and the
County of Bute The County of Bute (), also known as Buteshire, is a Counties of Scotland, historic county and registration county of Scotland. Now replaced by Argyll and Bute for the Isle of Bute, with the Argyll and Bute Council. The Isle of Arran and The ...
to the south. Argyll ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975. Most of the pre-1975 county was then included in the
Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute (; , ) is one of 32 unitary authority, unitary council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod ...
district of the
Strathclyde Strathclyde ( in Welsh language, Welsh; in Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic, meaning 'strath
alley An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane, footpath, path, or passageway, often reserved for pedestrians, which usually runs between, behind, or within buildings in towns and cities. It is also a rear access or service road (back lane), or a path, w ...
of the River Clyde') was one of nine former Local government in Scotland, local government Regions and districts of Scotland, regions of Scotland cre ...
region. The district created in 1975 excluded the Morvern and Ardnamurchan areas from the pre-1975 county, which were transferred to the
Highland region Highland (, ; ) is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in both Scotland and the United Kingdom. It was the 7th most populous council area in Scotland at the 2011 census. It has land borders with t ...
, but included the Isle of Bute, which had not been in Argyll. Further reforms in 1996 abolished the Strathclyde region and made Argyll and Bute a single-tier
council area {{Unreferenced, date=May 2019, bot=noref (GreenC bot) A council area is one of the areas defined in Schedule 1 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 and is under the control of one of the local authorities in Scotland created by that Ac ...
instead. As part of those reforms, Argyll and Bute also gained an area around
Helensburgh Helensburgh ( ; ) is a 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 government reorganisation in 1996. Histo ...
which had historically been in
Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire () or the County of Dumbarton is a Shires of Scotland, historic county, lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbar ...
.


Name

The name is generally said to derive from Old Irish'' '', meaning "border region of the Gaels". The early 13th-century author of ' wrote that "the name ''Arregathel'' means the 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 word ' also means "coast" when applied to maritime regions, so the name can also be translated as "coast of the Gaels". An alternative theory has more recently been advanced that the name may actually come from the early Irish kingdom of Airgíalla. The legal name of the county was Argyll, which was also used by the
Royal Mail Royal Mail Group Limited, trading as Royal Mail, is a British postal service and courier company. It is owned by International Distribution Services. It operates the brands Royal Mail (letters and parcels) and Parcelforce Worldwide (parcels) ...
as the name of the postal county for the mainland (the islands formed their own postal counties). The
Ordnance Survey The Ordnance Survey (OS) is the national mapping agency for Great Britain. The agency's name indicates its original military purpose (see Artillery, ordnance and surveying), which was to map Scotland in the wake of the Jacobite rising of ...
adopted the alternative form 'Argyllshire' for the county on its maps.


History

The Kilmartin Glen has standing stones and other monuments dating back to around 3000BC, and is one of the most significant areas for
Neolithic The Neolithic or New Stone Age (from Ancient Greek, Greek 'new' and 'stone') is an archaeological period, the final division of the Stone Age in Mesopotamia, Asia, Europe and Africa (c. 10,000 BCE to c. 2,000 BCE). It saw the Neolithic Revo ...
and
Bronze Age The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...
remains in mainland
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
. In 563AD Iona Abbey was founded, becoming one of the most important early
Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
sites in Scotland. The Gaelic kingdom of existed between the 5th and 9th centuries. Its territory covered north-eastern parts of
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
in what later became
County Antrim County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, County Antrim, Antrim, ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, located within the historic Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the c ...
, part of the mainland of
Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...
in what is now western
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
, and numerous islands in the
Inner Hebrides The Inner Hebrides ( ; ) 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, which experience a mild oceanic climate. The Inner Hebrides compri ...
. A fortress at Dunadd in the Kilmartin Glen, north-west of the modern town of
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
, served as the main seat of the kingdom. Dál Riata fragmented in the 9th century during the
Viking Age The Viking Age (about ) was the period during the Middle Ages when Norsemen known as Vikings undertook large-scale raiding, colonising, conquest, and trading throughout Europe and reached North America. The Viking Age applies not only to their ...
; the part in Ireland was absorbed into the kingdom of
Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or (Irish language, Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic Provinces of Ireland, over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include , which ...
, the islands came under the control of the
Kingdom of the Isles The Kingdom of the Isles, also known as Sodor, was a Norse–Gaelic kingdom comprising the Isle of Man, the Hebrides and the islands of the Clyde from the 9th to the 13th centuries. The islands were known in Old Norse as the , or "Southern I ...
, and the part on mainland Britain was united in 843AD with the
Pictish Pictish is an extinct Brittonic Celtic language spoken by the Picts, the people of eastern and northern Scotland from late antiquity to the Early Middle Ages. Virtually no direct attestations of Pictish remain, short of a limited number of geog ...
kingdom to its east under
Kenneth MacAlpin Kenneth MacAlpin (; ; 810 – 13 February 858) or Kenneth I was King of Dál Riada (841–850), and King of the Picts (848–858), of likely Gaelic origin. According to the traditional account, he inherited the throne of Dál Riada from his fa ...
to become the
Kingdom of Alba The Kingdom of Alba (; ) was the Kingdom of Scotland between the deaths of Donald II in 900 and of Alexander III in 1286. The latter's death led indirectly to an invasion of Scotland by Edward I of England in 1296 and the First War of Scotti ...
. The name Argyll (), meaning 'coast or borderland of the Gaels', came to be used for the part of the former Dál Riata territory on mainland Britain. The name distinguished the area from the , meaning 'islands of the foreigners' which was used for the Kingdom of the Isles, ruled by
Old Norse Old Norse, also referred to as Old Nordic or Old Scandinavian, was 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 ...
-speaking Norse–Gaels. Dunardry in Argyll, was the historic seat of the ancient MacTavish clan. An early mention of the Clan MacTavish lineage and its presence in Argyll can be found in records from the Philological Society of London, the oldest scholarly society in Great Britain. One of its publications notes: "Our author's father was married to a daughter of Campbell of Ashfield, and her mother was a daughter of MacTavifh or Thomfon of Dunardary (spelling as originally printed). This is a highly esteemed and ancient family, having held the Dunardary estate for over nine centuries." Further corroboration of this claim appears in
The Scots Magazine ''The Scots Magazine'' is a magazine containing articles on subjects of Scottish interest. It claims to be the oldest magazine in the world still in publication, although there have been several gaps in its publication history. It has reported on ...
from 1793. Given that the MacTavishes were documented at Dunardary for 900 years prior to that reference, their presence in the region can be traced back to approximately 893 AD. Argyll was divided into several lordships or
provinces A province is an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions outside Italy. The term ''provi ...
, including
Kintyre Kintyre (, ) 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 Loch Tarbert, Argyll, East and West Loch Tarbert, Argyll, West Loch Tarbert in t ...
, Knapdale, Lorn,
Cowal Cowal () is a rugged peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland to the north, and is bounded by Loch Fyne to the west, by Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde to the east, and by the Kyles of Bute ...
, and a smaller Argyll province which covered the area around Inveraray between
Loch Fyne Loch Fyne (, ; meaning "Loch of the Vine/Wine"), is a sea loch off the Firth of Clyde and forms part of the coast of the Cowal, Cowal Peninsula. Located on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It extends inland from the Sound o ...
and Loch Awe (the latter sometimes described by later writers as "Argyll proper" or "Mid-Argyll" to distinguish it from the wider area). The term "North Argyll" was also used to refer to the area later called Wester Ross. It was called North Argyll as it was settled by missionaries and refugees from , based at the abbey of Applecross. The position of abbot was hereditary, and when Ferchar mac in tSagairt, son of the abbot, became the Earl of Ross in the 13th century, the region of North Argyll gradually became known as Wester Ross instead. Alba evolved into the kingdom of Scotland, but lost control of Kintyre, Knapdale and Lorn to Norwegian rule, as was acknowledged in a treaty of 1098 between Edgar, King of Scotland and
Magnus Barefoot Magnus III Olafsson (Old Norse: ''Magnús Óláfsson'', Norwegian: ''Magnus Olavsson''; 1073 – 24 August 1103), better known as Magnus Barefoot (Old Norse: ''Magnús berfœttr'', Norwegian: ''Magnus Berrføtt''), was the King of Norway ...
,
King of Norway The Norwegian monarch is the head of state of Norway, which is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Norwegian monarchy can trace its line back to the reign of Harald Fairhair and the previous petty king ...
. In 1266, the Treaty of Perth re-established the Scottish crown's authority over the parts of Argyll which had been under Norwegian rule, along with the former Kingdom of the Isles, which together became the semi-independent Lordship of the Isles. By this time, the rest of the area under Scottish rule was divided into
shires Shire () is a traditional term for an administrative division of land in Great Britain and some other English-speaking countries. It is generally synonymous with county (such as Cheshire and Worcestershire). British counties are among the oldes ...
, administered by sheriffs. The shires covered different territories to the provinces, and it was the shires which subsequently evolved into Scotland's counties rather than the older provinces. Following the Treaty of Perth, the Argyll provinces were initially placed in the shire of Perth. In 1293, two new shires were created within Argyll; the Sheriff of Kintyre, covering just that province, and the Sheriff of Lorn, covering Lorn, Knapdale, and Mid-Argyll (which probably included Cowal at that time). The earliest reference to a Sheriff of Argyll was in 1326. The position appears to have been a re-establishment or renaming of the position of the Sheriff of Lorn. The post subsequently became a hereditary position held by members of
Clan Campbell Clan Campbell ( ) is a Scottish Highlands, 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 clan be ...
. Despite the creation of the shires, much of the area remained under the practical control of the Lord of the Isles until 1476, when John MacDonald, last Lord of the Isles,
quitclaim Generally, a quitclaim is a formal renunciation of a legal claim against some other person, or of a right to land. A person who quitclaims renounces or relinquishes a claim to some legal right, or transfers a legal interest in land. Originally a c ...
ed Kintyre, Knapdale, and Mid-Argyll to full Scottish control. In 1481, Knapdale was added to the shire of Kintyre which then became known as Tarbertshire, being initially administered from Tarbert. The
Scottish Reformation The Scottish Reformation was the process whereby Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland broke away from the Catholic Church, and established the Protestant Church of Scotland. It forms part of the wider European 16th-century Protestant Reformation. Fr ...
coincidentally followed the fall of the Lordship of the Isles. The MacDonalds (the clan of the former Lords of the Isles) were strong supporters of the former religious regime. The Campbells, by contrast, were strong supporters of the reforms. At the start of the 17th century, under instruction from
James VI James may refer to: People * James (given name) * James (surname) * James (musician), aka Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, (born 1964), Bollywood musician * James, brother of Jesus * King James (disambiguation), various kings named James * Prince Ja ...
, the Campbells were sent to the MacDonald territory at
Islay Islay ( ; , ) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll and Bute just south west of Jura, Scotland, Jura and around north of the Northern Irish coast. The island's cap ...
and Jura, which they subdued and added to the shire of Argyll. Campbell pressure at this time also led to the sheriff court for Tarbertshire being moved to Inverary, where the Campbells held the court for the sheriff of Argyll. Tarbertshire was subsequently abolished by an act of parliament in 1633, being absorbed into the shire of Argyll. The act also confirmed the town of Inveraray's position as "head burgh" of the enlarged shire. In 1667,
Commissioners of Supply Commissioners of Supply were local administrative bodies in Scotland from 1667 to 1930. Originally established in each sheriffdom to collect tax, they later took on much of the responsibility for the local government of the counties of Scotland. ...
were established for each shire, which would serve as the main administrative body for the area until the creation of county councils in 1890. 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 and professed refusal of a citizenship, citizen to obey certain laws, demands, orders, or commands of a government (or any other authority). By some definitions, civil disobedience has to be nonviolent to be cal ...
against king Charles II's repudiation 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 insurrections, the Heritable Jurisdictions Act abolished
regality A burgh of regality is a type of Scottish town. They were distinct from royal burghs as they were granted to "Lords of Regality, lords of regality", leading noblemen. (In distinction, burgh of barony, burghs of barony were granted to a tenant-in- ...
, and forbade the position of sheriff from being inherited. Local governance was brought into line with that of the rest of the recently unified
Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...
, and the English term "county" came to be used interchangeably with the term "shire". In 1890, elected county councils were created 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 fol ...
. The 1889 Act also led to parish and county boundaries being adjusted to eliminate cases where parishes straddled county boundaries. The parish of Small Isles straddled Argyll and Inverness-shire, with the islands of Muck, Rùm, Canna, and Sanday being in Argyll but
Eigg Eigg ( ; ) is one of the Small Isles in the Scotland, Scottish Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of the island of Isle of Skye, Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is long from north to south, and east to west. With ...
in Inverness-shire. The whole parish was placed in Inverness-shire in 1891. The parishes of Ardnamurchan and Kilmallie both also straddled Argyll and Inverness-shire; the county boundary through Kilmallie was adjusted to follow Loch Eil in 1891. In 1895 these two parishes were both split along the county boundary; the part of Ardnamurchan in Inverness-shire became a new parish of Arisaig and Moidart, leaving the reduced Ardnamurchan parish wholly in Argyll, whilst the part of Kilmallie in Argyll became a new parish of Ardgour. Argyll was abolished as a county 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, ''upland'' refers to a range of hills, typically from up to , while ''highland'' is usually reserved for range ...
and Strathclyde Regions. A
local government Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of governance or public administration within a particular sovereign state. Local governments typically constitute a subdivision of a higher-level political or administrative unit, such a ...
district called Argyll and Bute was formed in the
Strathclyde Strathclyde ( in Welsh language, Welsh; in Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic, meaning 'strath
alley An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane, footpath, path, or passageway, often reserved for pedestrians, which usually runs between, behind, or within buildings in towns and cities. It is also a rear access or service road (back lane), or a path, w ...
of the River Clyde') was one of nine former Local government in Scotland, local government Regions and districts of Scotland, regions of Scotland cre ...
region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...
, including most of Argyll and the adjacent Isle of Bute (the former County of Bute was more extensive). The Ardnamurchan, Ardgour, Ballachulish, Duror, Glencoe, Kinlochleven, and Morvern areas of Argyll were detached to become parts of
Lochaber Lochaber ( ; ) 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. Lochaber once extended from the Northern shore of Loch Leven, a distric ...
District, in Highland. They remained in Highland following the 1996 revision. In 1996, a new unitary council area of
Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute (; , ) is one of 32 unitary authority, unitary council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod ...
was created, with a change in boundaries to include part of the former Strathclyde district of
Dumbarton Dumbarton (; , or ; or , meaning 'fort of the Britons (historical), Britons') is a town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on the north bank of the River Clyde where the River Leven, Dunbartonshire, River Leven flows into the Clyde estuary. ...
. The historic county boundaries of Argyll are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a
registration county A registration county was, in Great Britain and Ireland, a statistical unit used for the registration of births, deaths and marriages and for the output of census information. In Scotland registration counties are used for land registration purpose ...
.


County council

Argyll County Council held its first meeting at the courthouse in Inveraray on 22 May 1890, when over three hours were spent debating where the council should meet thereafter, with proposals put forward in favour of meeting in
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
, Inveraray,
Oban Oban ( ; 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, Highland, Fort William. During the tourist seaso ...
, Dunoon, or even
Glasgow Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
(despite the latter being outside the county). It was decided to meet at Dunoon between May and September and at Oban for the rest of the year. The council did subsequently hold meetings in more places than just those two towns, meeting occasionally at all the towns which had been suggested at that first meeting. The council also appointed a clerk who was based in Lochgilphead at its first meeting, beginning the practice of having the council's main offices in that town. The clerk's offices were initially at the County Offices which formed part of Lochgilphead's courthouse and police station on Lochnell Street, which had been built in 1849. In 1925 the council bought the former Argyll Hotel at 5 Lochnell Street for £2,700, converting it to become their offices. The hotel had been built in 1887, and was renamed County Offices. The Lochgilphead building was not large enough to house all the council's staff, and some departments remained in other towns throughout the county council's existence, with the county treasurer being based in Campbeltown, the health department in Oban, and the education offices in Dunoon. After the county council's abolition in 1975, the building at 5 Lochnell Street became the sub-regional office of
Strathclyde Strathclyde ( in Welsh language, Welsh; in Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic, meaning 'strath
alley An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane, footpath, path, or passageway, often reserved for pedestrians, which usually runs between, behind, or within buildings in towns and cities. It is also a rear access or service road (back lane), or a path, w ...
of the River Clyde') was one of nine former Local government in Scotland, local government Regions and districts of Scotland, regions of Scotland cre ...
Regional Council, being renamed "Dalriada House", whilst the new
Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute (; , ) is one of 32 unitary authority, unitary council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod ...
District Council established its headquarters at nearby Kilmory Castle.


Geography

Argyll is split into two non-contiguous mainland sections divided by
Loch Linnhe Loch Linnhe ( ) is a sea loch in the Highland Council area, in the west of Scotland. The part upstream of Corran is known in Gaelic as (the black pool, originally known as Loch Abar), and downstream as (the salty pool). The name ''Linnhe ...
, plus a large number of islands that fall within the
Inner Hebrides The Inner Hebrides ( ; ) 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, which experience a mild oceanic climate. The Inner Hebrides compri ...
. Mainland Argyll 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, ''upland'' refers to a range of hills, typically from up to , while ''highland'' is usually reserved for range ...
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 and
Tiree Tiree (; , ) 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 fishing are ...
to the mountainous terrain of Jura and Mull. For ease of reference the following is split into three sections: Mainland (north), Mainland (south) and the Inner Hebrides.


Mainland (north)

The northern mainland section consists of two large peninsulas – Ardnamurchan and Morvern – divided by Loch Sunart, with a large inland section – known traditionally as Ardgour – bounded on the east by
Loch Linnhe Loch Linnhe ( ) is a sea loch in the Highland Council area, in the west of Scotland. The part upstream of Corran is known in Gaelic as (the black pool, originally known as Loch Abar), and downstream as (the salty pool). The name ''Linnhe ...
. 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, the westernmost points of the British mainland. In the north-east of the peninsula two unnamed sub-peninsulas almost encircle Kentra Bay, 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 :''See Glen Shiel for the much smaller Loch Shiel in Lochalsh.'' Loch Shiel () is a freshwater loch situated west of Fort William, Highland, Fort William in the Highland (council area), Highland subdivisions of Scotland, council area of Scotla ...
, 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 Loch Aline (Scottish Gaelic: ''Loch Àlainn'') is a small Seawater, salt water loch home to fish, birds and game, located in Morvern, Lochaber, Scotland. Key features of interest are Kinlochaline Castle, Ardtornish Castle and the Ardtornish est ...
in the south. At the estuary of Loch Teacuis lie the large islands of Oronsay, Risga and Càrna. There are numerous lochs in northern Argyll, the largest being Loch Doilet, Loch Arienas, Loch Teàrnait, Loch Doire nam Mart and Loch Mudle.


List of islands

* Am Brican * Ardtoe Island * Big Stirk * 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, 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 * Eileanan Loisgte * Eileanan nan Gad * Garbh Eilean * Glas Eilean (inner Loch Sunart) * Glas Eilean (outer Loch Sunart) * Glas Eileanan * Little Stirk * Oronsay * Red Rocks * 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 (, ) 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 Loch Tarbert, Argyll, East and West Loch Tarbert, Argyll, West Loch Tarbert in t ...
peninsula, the terminus of which lies only from
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...
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, Craignish,
Tayvallich Tayvallich (pronounced ; ) is a small village in the Knapdale area of Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The village name has its origins in Gaelic, and means the "house of the pass". The village is built around a sheltered harbour on Loch Sw ...
, Taynish, Knapdale and
Kintyre Kintyre (, ) 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 Loch Tarbert, Argyll, East and West Loch Tarbert, Argyll, West Loch Tarbert in t ...
, and the major loch inlets (north to south) are Loch Leven,
Loch Creran Loch Creran is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is about long from its head at Invercreran to its mouth on the Lynn of Lorne, part of Loch Linnhe. The loch separates the areas of Benderloch to the south and Appin ...
,
Loch Etive Loch Etive (Scottish Gaelic language, Scottish Gaelic, ''Loch Eite'') is a 30 Kilometre, km loch, sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It reaches the sea at Connel, 5 km north of Oban. It measures 31.6 km (19 miles) long and fr ...
, Loch Feochan, Loch Melfort, Loch Craignish,
Loch Crinan Loch Crinan is a seawater loch on the West of Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern p ...
, Loch Sween, Loch Caolisport and West Loch Tarbert, the latter dividing Kintyre from Knapdale. To the east
Loch Fyne Loch Fyne (, ; meaning "Loch of the Vine/Wine"), is a sea loch off the Firth of Clyde and forms part of the coast of the Cowal, Cowal Peninsula. Located on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It extends inland from the Sound o ...
separates Kintyre from the
Cowal Cowal () is a rugged peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland to the north, and is bounded by Loch Fyne to the west, by Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde to the east, and by the Kyles of Bute ...
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 () is a sea loch, part 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 after leaving Ireland. Kilmun Parish Church and Argyll Mausole ...
and Loch Goil; south across the
Kyles of Bute The Kyles of Bute () form a narrow sea channel that separates the northern end of the Isle of Bute from the Cowal, Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the Scotland, Scottish mainland. The surrounding hillsides are roughly wooded, and overlook ...
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 Loch Long is a body of water in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The sea loch extends from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end, to the Arrochar Alps at the head of the loch. It measures approximately in length, with a wi ...
lies the Rosneath peninsula in
Dunbartonshire Dunbartonshire () or the County of Dumbarton is a Shires of Scotland, historic county, lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbar ...
. 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 Glen Coe ( ) is a glen of glacial origins, that cuts though volcanic rocks in the Scottish Highlands, Highlands of Scotland. It lies in the north of the shires of Scotland, county of Argyll, close to the border with the history of local governm ...
can be found
Bidean nam Bian Bidean nam Bian (, "peak of the mountains") is the highest peak in a group of mountains south of Glen Coe and north of Glen Etive in the Scottish Highlands. With a height of , it is a Munro and the highest point in Argyll. It is a complex mounta ...
, 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 Laidon, Loch Bà, loch Buidhe, Lochan na Stainge, Loch Dochard, Loch Tulla, Loch Shira, the Cruachan Reservoir, Loch Restil, Loch Awe, Loch Avich, Blackmill Loch, Loch Nant, Loch Nell, Loch Scammadale, Loch Glashan, Loch Loskin, Loch Eck, Asgog Loch, Loch Tarsan, Càm Loch, Loch nan Torran, Loch Ciàran, Loch Garasdale,
Lussa Loch Lussa Loch is an artificial reservoir in Kintyre, Scotland, roughly 8 km north of Campbeltown. It was constructed between 1947 and 1956 by damming the Strathduie Water, as part of a larger hydroelectric scheme in Kintyre. The damming submer ...
and Tangy Loch.


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 * Black Islands * 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 Grianain * Eilean Math-ghamhna * Eilean Mòr * Eilean Munde * Eilean nam Meann * Glas Eilean * Gluniform Island * Henrietta Reef * Inis Chonain * Inishail * Innis Errich * Island Ross * Liath Eilean * Oitir Mòr * Sanda Island * Scart Rocks * Sgat Beag * Sgat Mòr * Sgeir Bhuide * Sgeir Caillich * Sgeir Lag Choan * Sgeir Leathann * Sgeir Mhaola Cin * Sgeir na Dubhaidh * Sgeir Port a' Ghuail * Sheep Island * Thorn Isle 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

Argyll contains the majority of the Inner Hebrides group, with the notable exceptions of
Skye The Isle of Skye, or simply 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 by the Cuillin, the rocky slopes of which provide some o ...
and
Eigg Eigg ( ; ) is one of the Small Isles in the Scotland, Scottish Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of the island of Isle of Skye, Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is long from north to south, and east to west. With ...
(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 Stèidh * Bach Island * Balach Rocks * Belnahua * Bernera Island *
Brosdale Island Brosdale Island is an uninhabited island in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is 1.25 miles from Jura House on Jura, Scotland, Jura. It is about 1/4 of a mile long and 1/4 of a mile wide. The earliest comprehensive written list of ...
* Calve Island * Canna * Cara Island * Carraig an Daimh * Carsaig Island * Coiresa * Coll * Colonsay * Craro Island * Island of Danna * Dubh Artach * Dubh Sgeir * Eagamol * Eag na Maoile * Easdale * Eilean a' Chalmain * Eilean a' Chùirn * Eilean a' Mhadaidh * Eilean Àird nan Uan * Eilean an Aodaich * Eilean an Fhuarain * Eileach an Naoimh * Eilean Annraidh * Eilean an Righ * Eilean Arsa * Eilean Ascaoineach * Eilean Balnagowan * Eilean Bàn * Eilean Bhrìde * Eilean Coltair * Eilean Craobhach * Eilean dà Ghallagain * Eilean dà Mhèinn * Eilean Dioghlum * Eilean Dùin * Eilean Fraoich * Eilean Gainimh * Eilean Garbh * Eilean Ghòmain * Eilean Ghreasamuill * Eilean Imersay * Eilean Inshaig * Eilean Loain * Eilean Loch Oscair * Eilean Mhartan * Eilean Mhic Chrion * Eilean Mhic Coinnich * Eilean Mòr * Eilean Musdile * 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 * Eilean nan Gamhna * Eilean Odhar * Eilean Ona * Eilean Ornsay * Eilean Ramsay * Eilean Reilean * Eilean Righ * Eilean Tràighe * Eileanan Glasa * Eileanan na h-Aoran *
Eorsa Eorsa is an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Geography Eorsa lies in Loch na Keal on the west coast of the Isle of Mull, to the east of Ulva. It is part of the Loch Na Keal National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland. Hi ...
* Erisgeir * Eriska * Erraid * Fladda * Frenchman's Rocks * Gamhna Gigha * Gamhnach Mhòr * Garbh Rèisa * Garbh Sgeir * Garvellachs * Gigalum Island * Gigha * Gòdag *
Gometra Gometra () is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, lying west of Mull. It lies immediately west of Ulva, to which it is linked by a bridge, and at low tide also by a beach. It is approximately in size. The name is also applied to the is ...
* Guirasdeal * Hàslam * Humla *
Inch Kenneth Inch Kenneth () is a small grassy island off the west coast of the Isle of Mull, in Scotland. It is at the entrance of Loch na Keal, to the south of Ulva. It is part of the Loch na Keal National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland. It is within ...
* Inn Island * Insh Island * Iona * Island Macaskin *
Islay Islay ( ; , ) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll and Bute just south west of Jura, Scotland, Jura and around north of the Northern Irish coast. The island's cap ...
* Hough Skerries * Hyskeir (''in Gaelic, Oigh-Sgeir'') * Jura * Kerrera * Lady's Rock * Liath Sgeir * Lismore * Little Colonsay *
Luing Luing ( ; ) is one of the Slate Islands, Scotland, 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 aroun ...
* 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 ...
* Nave Island * Ormsa * Oronsay *
Orsay Orsay () is a Communes of France, commune in the Essonne Departments of France, department in Île-de-France in northern France. It is located in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, from the Kilometre Zero, centre of Paris. A fortifie ...
* Rèidh Eilean * Rèisa an t-Struith * Rèisa Mhic Phaidean * Ruadh Sgeir * Rùm * Samalan Island * Sanday *
Scarba Scarba () is an island, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, just north of the much larger island of Jura. The island has not been permanently inhabited since the 1960s. Until his death in 2013 it was owned by Richard Hill, 7th Baron Sandys; its ...
* Scoul Eilean *
Seil Seil (; , ) is one of the Slate Islands, Scotland, 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 isl ...
* Sgeir a' Mhàim-àrd * Sgeir a' Phuirt * Sgeir an Ròin * Sgeiran Mòra * Sgeir Mhòr * Sgeir na Caillich * Sgeir nan Gobhar * Sgeir nan Sgarbh * Sgeir Shealg * Sgeir Tràighe * Shian Island * Shuna, Slate Islands * Shuna Island, Loch Linnhe * Skerryvore * Small Isles * Soa, near Coll * Soa, Tiree * Soa, near Mull * Staffa * Taynish Island * Sùil Ghorm * Texa *
Tiree Tiree (; , ) 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 fishing are ...
* Torran Rocks * Torsa * Treshnish Isles *
Ulva Ulva (; ) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, off the west coast of Mull. It is separated from Mull by a narrow strait, and connected to the neighbouring island of Gometra by a bridge. Much of the island is formed from Cen ...
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


Constituency

Starting in 1590, as one of the measures that followed the Scottish reformation, each sheriffdom elected
commissioner A commissioner (commonly abbreviated as Comm'r) is, in principle, a member of a commission or an individual who has been given a commission (official charge or authority to do something). In practice, the title of commissioner has evolved to incl ...
s to the
Parliament of Scotland In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
. As well as the commissioner representing ''Argyll'', at least one was sent to represent Tarbertshire, Sir Lachlan Maclean of Morvern. 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 The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in May 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union 1707, Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. The Acts ratified the treaty of Union which created a ...
from 1708 to 1801, and of the
Parliament of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, and may also legislate for the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace ...
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 Ardrishaig () is a coastal village on Loch Gilp, at the southern (eastern) entrance to the Crinan Canal in Argyll and Bute in the west of Scotland. It lies immediately to the south of Lochgilphead, with the nearest larger town being Oban. Hi ...
* Ardnamurchan *
Campbeltown Campbeltown (; or ) is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre Peninsula. Campbeltown became an important centre for Scotch whisky, and a busy fishing port. The 2018 populatio ...
* Coll * Colonsay and Oronsay * Craignish * Dunoon and Kilmun * Gigha and Cara Island * Glassary (Kilmichael), Kilmartin Glen/
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
*
Glen Orchy Glen Orchy () is a glen in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It runs from Bridge of Orchy to Dalmally. Geography Glen Orchy is about 17 km or 11 miles long, and runs south-west from Bridge of Orchy () to Dalmally () following the River ...
and Inishail * Inveraray * Inverchaolain * Jura * Kilbrandon and Kilchattan * Kilcalmonell * Kilchoman * Kilchrenan and Dalavich * Kildalton * Kilfinan *
Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon is a Civil parishes in Scotland, civil parish on the Isle of Mull in the county of Argyll, Scotland, part of the Argyll and Bute council area. It is one of three parishes on the island and extends over the south-weste ...
* Killarow and Kilmeny * Killean and Kilchenzie * Kilmallie (part) * Kilmartin * Kilmodan *
Kilninian and Kilmore Kilninian and Kilmore is a civil parish on the Isle of Mull in the county of Argyll, Scotland, part of the Argyll and Bute council area. It is one of three parishes on the island and extends over the north-western part. It is bordered by the pa ...
* Kilninver and Kilmelford * Lismore and Appin *
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
* Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich * Morvern * North Knapdale * Saddell and Skipness * South Knapdale *
Southend Southend-on-Sea (), commonly referred to as Southend (), is a coastal city and unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area with Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in south-eastern Essex, England. It lies on the nor ...
* Strachur * Strathlachlan *
Tiree Tiree (; , ) 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 fishing are ...
* Torosay


Settlements


Mainland (north)

* Acharacle * Achaphubuil * Ardery * Ardgour * Ardtoe *
Banavie Banavie (; ) 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 4 kilometres ( miles) northeast of Fort William town centre, next to Caol and Corpach. It h ...
* Blaich * Bonnavoulin * Caol * Clovullin * Corpach * Corran * Duisky * Fassfern * Glenborrodale * Kentra *
Kilchoan Kilchoan () is a village on the Scotland, Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan, beside the Sound of Mull in Lochaber, Highland (council area), Highland. It is the most westerly village in mainland Great Britain, Britain, although several tiny ha ...
* Kilmory * Kinlocheil * Laga * Lochaline * Melfort * Newton of Ardtoe * Ockle * Polloch * Portuairk * Resipole * Salen * South Garvan * Stronchreggan *
Strontian Strontian (; ) is the main village in Sunart, an area in western Lochaber, Scottish Highlands, Highland, Scotland, on the A861 road. Prior to 1975 it was part of Argyllshire. It lies on the north shore of Loch Sunart, close to the head of th ...
* Trislaig


Mainland (south)

* Achahoish * Achinhoan * Achnamara * Ardentinny * Ardgartan * Ardnadam *
Ardrishaig Ardrishaig () is a coastal village on Loch Gilp, at the southern (eastern) entrance to the Crinan Canal in Argyll and Bute in the west of Scotland. It lies immediately to the south of Lochgilphead, with the nearest larger town being Oban. Hi ...
* Ardtaraig * Ardulaine * Arrochar * Ballachulish * Barcaldine * Bellochantuy * Benderloch * Blairmore *
Cairndow Cairndow () is a coastal hamlet (place), hamlet in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The town lies between the A83 road and the head of Loch Fyne. Cairndow's school closed in 1988 after the roll fell to just 3 pupils. Now children in the area are sen ...
*
Campbeltown Campbeltown (; or ) is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre Peninsula. Campbeltown became an important centre for Scotch whisky, and a busy fishing port. The 2018 populatio ...
* Carradale * Carrick Castle * Clachaig * Clachan * Clachan of Glendaruel * Claonaig *
Colintraive Colintraive () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Once the site where cattle were swum across the narrows to the Isle of Bute, the MV ''Loch Dunvegan'' — a ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne — now provides a link to the islan ...
* Connel * Coylet * Craobh Haven * Crinan * Dalavich * Dalmally * Dippen * Drumlemble * Dunbeg * Dunoon * Duror * Ford * Furnace * Glenbarr * Glenbranter * Glencoe *
Glendaruel Glendaruel (Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic: ''Gleann Dà Ruadhail'') is a glen in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The main settlement in Glendaruel is the Clachan of Glendaruel. Features The present Kilmodan Church was built in the Clachan of Glendaruel ...
* Grogport * Hunters Quay * Innellan * Inveraray * Inverchaolain * Invercreran * Kames * Kennacraig * Kentallen * Kilberry * Kilchenzie * Kilkerran * Kilmanshenachan * Kilmelford * Kilmore * Kilmun * Kinlochleven * Kirn * Knipoch * Largiemore * Lochgair *
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
* Lochgoilhead * Machrihanish * Millhouse * Muasdale * North Connel *
Oban Oban ( ; 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, Highland, Fort William. During the tourist seaso ...
* Ormsary * Otter Ferry * Peninver * Port Ann * Port Appin *
Portavadie Portavadie () is a village on the shores of Loch Fyne on the coast of the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. The Portavadie complex was built in 1975 by the then Scottish Office for the purpose of constructing concrete pl ...
* Rashfield * St Catherines * Saddell * Sandbank * Skipness *
Southend Southend-on-Sea (), commonly referred to as Southend (), is a coastal city and unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area with Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in south-eastern Essex, England. It lies on the nor ...
*
Stewarton Stewarton (,
) is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. ...
* Strachur * Strone * Succoth * Tarbert * Tayinloan *
Taynuilt Taynuilt (; , meaning 'the House by the Stream') is a large village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland located at the western entrance to the narrow Pass of Brander. Location The village is situated on the River Nant about a kilometre before the r ...
*
Tayvallich Tayvallich (pronounced ; ) is a small village in the Knapdale area of Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The village name has its origins in Gaelic, and means the "house of the pass". The village is built around a sheltered harbour on Loch Sw ...
* Tighnabruaich * Torinturk * Torrisdale * Tullochgorm * 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 ...


Inner Hebrides

* Ardbeg (Islay) * Ardfernal (Jura) * Ardilistry (Islay) * Ardmenish (Jura) * Ardtalla (Islay) *
Ardtun Ardtun () is a settlement on the Isle of Mull, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consist ...
(Mull) * Arinagour (Coll) * Ballygrant (Islay) * Bowmore (Islay) *
Bridgend Bridgend (; or just , meaning "the end of the bridge on the Ogmore") is a town in the Bridgend County Borough of Wales, west of Cardiff and east of Swansea. The town is named after the Old Bridge, Bridgend, medieval bridge over the River Og ...
(Islay) * Bruichladdich (Islay) * Bunessan (Mull) * Bunnahabhain (Islay) *
Calgary Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in C ...
(Mull) * Craighouse (Jura) *
Craignure Craignure (; ) 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. It has a population of ...
(Mull) * Dervaig (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 (Islay) * Port Charlotte (Islay) *
Port Ellen Port Ellen () is a small town on the island of Islay, in Argyll, Scotland. The town is named after the wife of its founder, Walter Frederick Campbell. Its previous name, ''Leòdamas'', is derived from Old Norse meaning "Leòd's Harbour". Port E ...
(Islay) * Port Mòr (Muck) * Portnahaven (Islay) * Port Wemyss (Islay) * Salen (Mull) * Scalasaig (Colonsay) * Scarinish (Tiree) *Tiroran (Mull) * Tobermory (Mull) *Uisken (Mull) *Ulva Ferry (Mull) File:Bowmore Round Church.JPG, Bowmore Round Church, Islay File:Craighouse from the pier - geograph.org.uk - 755742.jpg, Craighouse, Jura File:Port Mor, Muck.jpg, Port Mòr, Muck


Transport

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


Residents


Clans

* Clan MacTavish were a "very ancient and respectable family, who have inherited the estate of Dunardary for upwards of nine hundred years." This places the MacTavish family in Argyll in 893 AD. *
Clan Campbell Clan Campbell ( ) is a Scottish Highlands, 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 clan be ...
was a powerful clan in this region. The Campbell clan hosted the long line of the Duke of Argyll, Dukes of Argyll. *Clan MacIntyre historically held lands in this region and had close ties with Clan Campbell. *Clan Gregor historically held a great deal of lands in this region prior to the proscription of their name in April 1603, the result of a power struggle with the Campbells. *Clan Lamont historically both allied and feuded with the Campbell clan, culminating in the Dunoon Massacre. In the 19th century, the clan chief sold his lands and relocated to Australia, where the current chief lives. *Clan McCorquodale held lands around Loch Awe from the early medieval period until the early 18th century. Their seat was a castle on Loch Tromlee. *Clan MacMillan held lands in Argyll, notably in knapdale (viz. "MacMillan of Knap") *Clan Malcolm Also known as MacCallum. The Malcolm clan seat is Duntrune Castle on the banks of
Loch Crinan Loch Crinan is a seawater loch on the West of Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern p ...
*Clan MacLean Historically held lands on the Isle of Mull with its seat at Duart Castle *Clan MacLachlan historically feuded with the Campbells, and espoused Jacobitism. Held lands on both sides of Loch Fyne, with its seat in Strathlachlan *Clan MacEwan historically feuded with the Campbells, cousins of MacLachlans. Held lands in Kilfinan.


Other notable residents

*Patrick MacKellar, (1717–1778), born in Argyll, military engineer, achieved his reputation on projects in the United States of America. *George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen (born 12 April 1946, George Islay MacNeill Robertson), British Labour Party (UK), Labour politician and tenth Secretary General of the NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation *Eric Blair, better known as George Orwell, who resided in the northernmost part of Jura, during the final years of his life (1946–1950). During this period, he wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four. *Karen Matheson, folk singer, grew up in
Taynuilt Taynuilt (; , meaning 'the House by the Stream') is a large village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland located at the western entrance to the narrow Pass of Brander. Location The village is situated on the River Nant about a kilometre before the r ...
. *Frances 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. *Mike Lindup, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, noted for being a member of Level 42


In fiction

* Rosemary Sutcliff's novel ''The Mark of the Horse Lord'' (1965) is set in Earra Gael, i.e. the Coast of the Gael, wherein the Dal Riada undergo an internal struggle for control of royal succession, and an external conflict to defend their frontiers against the Caledonians, Caledones. * The highlands above the village of
Lochgilphead Lochgilphead (; ) is a town and former burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, with a population of around 2,300 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute Council. The village lies at the end of Loch Gilp (a branch of Loch Fyne) an ...
were used for a scene in the 1963 film ''From Russia with Love,'' starring Sean Connery as James Bond. He killed two villains in a helicopter by firing gunshots at them. * The main focus of the song "The Queen of Argyll" is that of a beautiful woman, from Argyll. The song was sung by the band Silly Wizard and covered by Fiddler's Green (band), Fiddler's Green in 2000. * The 1985 Scottish movie ''Restless Natives'' used Lochgoilhead to film a chase scene, as well as some roads just outside the village. * The housekeeper Elsie Carson in Julian Fellowes' television drama ''Downton Abbey'' is from Argyll. * In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, after being attacked by Sirius Black, the Fat Lady is found hiding in a map of Argyllshire that is located on the second floor in Hogwarts. * In Hogwarts Legacy, there is a map on a wall inside the castle above the first floor of the south wing. Using the revelio spell reveals a page for the field guide saying, "This map depicts Argyllshire, a region in Scotland which contains the ''Hebrides'' - native home of the Hebrideon dragon."


See also


Notes


References


Bibliography

* .


Further reading


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


External links


Visit Scotland, Argyll - Official Webpage

Map of Argyllshire
on Wikishire
"Filming locations", ''From Russia with Love'' (1963)
IMDb
Visitor information for Inveraray, Tarbert, Knapdale, Crinan and Lochgilphead

Wild about Argyll - Website
Argyllshire, History of Argyll and Bute Counties of Scotland Former counties of Scotland Counties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922) Strathclyde {{purge