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Argyll (;
archaically In language, an archaism is a word, a sense of a word, or a style of speech or writing that belongs to a historical epoch beyond living memory, but that has survived in a few practical settings or affairs. Lexical archaisms are single archaic w ...
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 Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. In modern Britain, an earl is a member of the peerage, ranking below a marquess and above a viscount. A feminine form of ''earl'' never developed; instead, ''countess'' is used. The titl ...
, 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 Duke of Argyll () 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 noble families in Scotlan ...
. 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 Knapdale (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, North Knapdale and South Knapdale. ...
, and Lorn. From at least the 14th century there was a
Sheriff of Argyll The Sheriff of Argyll was historically a royal officer charged with enforcing the king's rights in Argyll; in Scotland, the concept of ''sheriff'' gradually evolved into a judicial position. Originally, the region of Argyll was served by the sher ...
, 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 Inveraray ( or ; meaning "mouth of the Aray") is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located on the western shore of Loch Fyne, near its head, Inveraray is a former royal burgh and known affectionately as "The Capital of Argyll." It is the ...
, 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 ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs which ...
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 Dunoon (; ) is the main town on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, to the south of the Holy Loch and to the north of Innellan. As well as forming part of the cou ...
, 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 Inverness-shire () or the County of Inverness, is a Counties of Scotland, historic county in Scotland. It is named after Inverness, its largest settlement, which was also the county town. Covering much of the Scottish Highlands, Highlands and s ...
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 Morvern ( ; "the sea-gap"), 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 Su ...
and
Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan (, ) 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 access route being a single track road for much of its l ...
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 The Isle of Bute (; 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 island of the larger County of ...
, 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 Airgíalla (; Modern Irish: Oirialla, English: Oriel, Latin: ''Ergallia'') was a medieval Irish over-kingdom and the collective name for the confederation of tribes that formed it. The confederation consisted of nine minor kingdoms, all indepen ...
. 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 The postal counties of the United Kingdom, now known as former postal counties, were postal subdivisions in routine use by the Royal Mail until 1996. The purpose of the postal county – as opposed to any other kind of county – was to aid the ...
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 Kilmartin Glen is an area in Argyll north of Knapdale. It has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland. The glen is located between Oban and Lochgilphead, surrounding the village of Kilmartin. I ...
has
standing stones A menhir (; from Brittonic languages: ''maen'' or ''men'', "stone" and ''hir'' or ''hîr'', "long"), standing stone, orthostat, or lith is a large upright stone, emplaced in the ground by humans, typically dating from the European middle Br ...
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 Iona Abbey is an abbey located on the island of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland. It is one of the oldest History of early Christianity, Christian religious centres in Western Europe. The abbey was a focal point ...
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 Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to: Languages * Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...
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 Dunadd (Scottish Gaelic ''Dún Ad'', "fort on the iverAdd", Old Irish ''Dún Att'') is a hillfort in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, dating from the Iron Age and early medieval period and is believed to be the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dál R ...
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 The Norse–Gaels (; ; ; , 'foreigner-Gaels') were a people of mixed Gaelic and Norse ancestry and culture. They emerged in the Viking Age, when Vikings who settled in Ireland and in Scotland became Gaelicised and intermarried with Gaels. The ...
. Dunardry in Argyll, was the historic seat of the ancient MacTavish clan. An early mention of the
Clan MacTavish Clan MacTavish (), is an Ancient Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan with Gaelic Ireland, Irish origins. The MacTavish lands were in Argyll in the Western Highlands. Their current Chief is Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry, the ...
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 Knapdale (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, North Knapdale and South 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 Loch Awe (Scottish Gaelic: ''Loch Obha''; also sometimes anglicised as Lochawe, Lochaw, or Lochow) 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 Lo ...
(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 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 th ...
. It was called North Argyll as it was settled by missionaries and refugees from , based at the abbey of
Applecross Applecross ( , 'The Sanctuary', historically anglicized as 'Combrich') is a peninsula in Wester Ross, in the Scottish Highlands. It is bounded by Loch Kishorn to the south, Loch Torridon to the north, and Glen Shieldaig to the east. On its wes ...
. The position of abbot was hereditary, and when Ferchar mac in tSagairt, 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, as well as chief of Clan Ross. Origins and transfers In the early Middle Ages, Ross was part of the vast earldom of Moray. It seems to have been made ...
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 Edgar or Étgar mac Maíl Choluim ( Modern Gaelic: ''Eagar mac Mhaoil Chaluim''), nicknamed Probus, "the Valiant" (c. 1074 – 8 January 1107), was King of Alba (Scotland) from 1097 to 1107. He was the fourth son of Malcolm III and Margaret o ...
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 The Treaty of Perth, signed 2 July 1266, ended military conflict between Magnus the Lawmender of Norway and Alexander III of Scotland over possession of the Hebrides and the Isle of Man. The Hebrides and the Isle of Man had become Norwegian t ...
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 Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( or ; ) is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was h ...
. 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 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, the , which is commonly ...
. 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 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 ...
, covering just that province, and the
Sheriff of Lorn The Sheriff of Lorn/Lorne was historically the royal official responsible for enforcing law and order in Lorne, Scotland and bringing criminals to justice. The sheriffdom was created in 1293 by King John of Scotland in an effort to maintain peace ...
, covering Lorn, Knapdale, and Mid-Argyll (which probably included Cowal at that time). The earliest reference to a
Sheriff of Argyll The Sheriff of Argyll was historically a royal officer charged with enforcing the king's rights in Argyll; in Scotland, the concept of ''sheriff'' gradually evolved into a judicial position. Originally, the region of Argyll was served by the sher ...
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 Tarbertshire, or the sheriffdom of Tarbert, was a shire of Scotland until 1633, when it was annexed to Argyll.RPS, 1633/6/91 It comprised the mainland peninsula formed by Knapdale and Kintyre, together with the southern Inner Hebrides to the ...
, being initially administered from
Tarbert Tarbert () is a place name in Scotland and Ireland. Places named Tarbert are characterised by a narrow strip of land, or isthmus. This can be where two lochs nearly meet, or a causeway out to an island. Etymology All placenames that variously s ...
. 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 Inveraray ( or ; meaning "mouth of the Aray") is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located on the western shore of Loch Fyne, near its head, Inveraray is a former royal burgh and known affectionately as "The Capital of Argyll." It is the ...
, 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 ''Maclean's'' is a Canadian magazine founded in 1905 which reports on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, trends and current events. Its founder, publisher John Bayne Maclean, established the magazine to provide a uniquely Canadian ...
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 Archibald Campbell may refer to: Peerage * Archibald Campbell of Lochawe (died before 1394), Scottish peer * Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll (died 1513), Lord Chancellor of Scotland * Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll (c. 1507–1558) ...
(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 The Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746 ( 20 Geo. 2. c. 43) or the Sheriffs Act 1747 was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745 abolishing judicial rights held by Scots her ...
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 The Small Isles () are a small archipelago in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. They lie south of Skye and north of Mull and Ardnamurchan – the most westerly point of mainland Scotland. Until 1891, Canna, Rùm a ...
straddled Argyll and Inverness-shire, with the islands of
Muck Muck most often refers to: *Muck (soil), a soil made up primarily of humus from drained swampland Muck may also refer to: Places Europe * Muck, Scotland, an island * Isle of Muck, County Antrim, a small island connected by sand spit to Portmuck ...
,
Rùm Rùm (), a Scottish Gaelic language, Scottish Gaelic name often Anglicisation, anglicised to Rum ( ), is one of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, in the district of Lochaber. For much of the 20th century the ...
, 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 Ardnamurchan (, ) 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 access route being a single track road for much of its l ...
and
Kilmallie Kilmallie () is a civil parish in Lochaber, in the west highlands of Scotland. It is centered on the village of Caol, near Fort William and extends to Banavie and Corpach. It gives its name to the local shinty Shinty () is a team sport pl ...
both also straddled Argyll and Inverness-shire; the county boundary through Kilmallie was adjusted to follow
Loch Eil Loch Eil () is a loch, sea loch in Lochaber, Scotland that opens into Loch Linnhe near the town of Fort William, Highland, Fort William. John Stewart of Ardvorlich, Ardvorlich notes that "the name of the Chief of Clan Cameron is spelt LOCHIEL, ...
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 Ardgour () ( ; meaning ''high place of goats'') is an area of the Scottish Highlands on the western shore of Loch Linnhe. It lies north of the district of Morvern and east of the district of Sunart. Administratively it is now part of the wa ...
. 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 Isle of Bute (; 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 island of the larger County of ...
(the former County of Bute was more extensive). The
Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan (, ) 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 access route being a single track road for much of its l ...
,
Ardgour Ardgour () ( ; meaning ''high place of goats'') is an area of the Scottish Highlands on the western shore of Loch Linnhe. It lies north of the district of Morvern and east of the district of Sunart. Administratively it is now part of the wa ...
,
Ballachulish The village of Ballachulish ( or , from Scottish Gaelic ) in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred on former slate quarries, and now primarily serves tourists in the area. Name The name Ballachulish (from Scottish Gaelic, ''Baile a' Chao ...
, Duror, Glencoe,
Kinlochleven Kinlochleven () () is a coastal village located in Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands and lies at the eastern end of Loch Leven. To the north lie the Mamores ridge; to the south lie the mountains flanking Glen Coe. The village was formed fro ...
, and
Morvern Morvern ( ; "the sea-gap"), 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 Su ...
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 A unitary authority is a type of local authority in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Unitary authorities are responsible for all local government functions within its area or performing additional functions that elsewhere are usually performed ...
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 Inveraray ( or ; meaning "mouth of the Aray") is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located on the western shore of Loch Fyne, near its head, Inveraray is a former royal burgh and known affectionately as "The Capital of Argyll." It is the ...
,
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 Dunoon (; ) is the main town on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, to the south of the Holy Loch and to the north of Innellan. As well as forming part of the cou ...
, 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 Coll (; )Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 31 is an island located west of the Isle of Mull and northeast of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and fo ...
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 Mull may refer to: Places *Isle of Mull, a Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides ** Sound of Mull, between the Isle of Mull and the rest of Scotland * Mount Mull, Antarctica * Mull Hill, Isle of Man * Mull, Arkansas, a place along Arkansas Highwa ...
. 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 (, ) 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 access route being a single track road for much of its l ...
and
Morvern Morvern ( ; "the sea-gap"), 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 Su ...
– divided by
Loch Sunart Loch Sunart (Scottish Gaelic ) is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. Loch Sunart is bounded to the north by the Sunart district of Ardnamurchan and to the south by the Morvern district. At long, it is the longest sea loch in the Highla ...
, with a large inland section – known traditionally as
Ardgour Ardgour () ( ; meaning ''high place of goats'') is an area of the Scottish Highlands on the western shore of Loch Linnhe. It lies north of the district of Morvern and east of the district of Sunart. Administratively it is now part of the wa ...
– 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 Loch Eil () is a loch, sea loch in Lochaber, Scotland that opens into Loch Linnhe near the town of Fort William, Highland, Fort William. John Stewart of Ardvorlich, Ardvorlich notes that "the name of the Chief of Clan Cameron is spelt LOCHIEL, ...
), 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 Ardnamurchan Point (, meaning "the headland of the hill of the great sea") is a peninsula in Highland, Scotland where the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse is situated. Location Ardnamurchan Point lies at the western end of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in ...
and
Corrachadh Mòr is a headland on the Peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, west of Scotland. Notable for being the most westerly point on the island of Great Britain, it is further west than Land's End in Cornwall.
, 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, ...
, and are bound by the South Channel of
Loch Moidart Loch Moidart is a sea loch in the district of Moidart in the Scottish Highlands. It is on the west coast of Scotland, and runs about 8 km (5 miles) eastward from the sea. It is connected to the sea by two narrow channels which are separated ...
to the north; to the east of this lies the
River Shiel The River Shiel (Scottish Gaelic: ''Abhainn Seile'') is a four-kilometre-long river between Moidart and Ardnamurchan in the Scottish Highlands. It begins at Acharacle, at the western end of Loch Shiel, and flows northwest towards Dorlin, where it ...
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 Loch Sunart (Scottish Gaelic ) is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. Loch Sunart is bounded to the north by the Sunart district of Ardnamurchan and to the south by the Morvern district. At long, it is the longest sea loch in the Highl ...
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 Oronsay (), also sometimes spelt and pronounced ''Oransay'' by the local community, is a small tidal island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides with an area of . The island rises to a height of at Beinn Orasaigh and is linked t ...
,
Risga Risga is an uninhabited island in between Càrna and Oronsay, in the centre of Loch Sunart, about from the north shore, in the council area of Highland, Scotland. Its area is and its highest elevation is . In 1950, over 50 pairs of Lesser bl ...
and
Càrna Carna or Càrna is an island in Loch Sunart, an arm of the sea, close to the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland. Geography Carna lies wedged across the mouth of Loch Teacuis in the middle of Loch Sunart, forming two narr ...
. There are numerous lochs in northern Argyll, the largest being
Loch Doilet ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs which ...
, Loch Arienas, Loch Teàrnait, Loch Doire nam Mart and
Loch Mudle ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs which ...
.


List of islands

* Am Brican * Ardtoe Island *
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 2023 Taiwanese children's film starring Van Fan and Chie Tanaka * '' Big!'', a Discover ...
*
Càrna Carna or Càrna is an island in Loch Sunart, an arm of the sea, close to the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland. Geography Carna lies wedged across the mouth of Loch Teacuis in the middle of Loch Sunart, forming two narr ...
* 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 ...
*
Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart (inner) Eilean Mòr is an uninhabited, tidal island opposite Oronsay, Loch Sunart, Oronsay at the entrance to Loch Sunart, an arm of the sea on the west coast of Scotland. At low tide it is attached to Glenmore on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The highest ...
* Eilean na h-Acarseid * Eilean na Beitheiche * Eilean nam Gillean * Eilean nan Eildean * Eilean nan Gabhar * Eilean nan Gall * Eilean Rubha an Ridire * Eilean Uillne *
Eileanan Glasa Kate Forsyth (born 3 June 1966) is an Australian author. She is best known for her historical novel ''Bitter Greens'', which interweaves a retelling of the ''Rapunzel'' fairy tale with the true life story of the woman who first told the tale, t ...
* Eileanan Loisgte *
Eileanan nan Gad Kate Forsyth (born 3 June 1966) is an Australian author. She is best known for her historical novel ''Bitter Greens'', which interweaves a retelling of the ''Rapunzel'' fairy tale with the true life story of the woman who first told the tale, t ...
* Garbh Eilean * Glas Eilean (inner Loch Sunart) * Glas Eilean (outer Loch Sunart) * Glas Eileanan *
Little Stirk Little is a synonym for small size and may refer to: Arts and entertainment *Little (album), ''Little'' (album), 1990 debut album of Vic Chesnutt *Little (film), ''Little'' (film), 2019 American comedy film *The Littles, a series of children's nov ...
*
Oronsay Oronsay (), also sometimes spelt and pronounced ''Oransay'' by the local community, is a small tidal island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides with an area of . The island rises to a height of at Beinn Orasaigh and is linked t ...
*
Red Rocks Red Rocks Amphitheatre (also known colloquially as simply Red Rocks) is an open-air amphitheater in the western United States near Morrison, Colorado, approximately southwest of Denver. It is owned and operated by the city of Denver. In addi ...
*
Risga Risga is an uninhabited island in between Càrna and Oronsay, in the centre of Loch Sunart, about from the north shore, in the council area of Highland, Scotland. Its area is and its highest elevation is . In 1950, over 50 pairs of Lesser bl ...
* Seilag * Sgeir an Eididh * Sgeir an t-Seangain * Sgeir Buidhe * Sgeir Charrach * Sgeir Ghobhlach * Sgeir Horsgeat * Sgeir Mhali * Sgeir Mhòr * Sgeir nan Gillean * Sgeirean nan Torran * Sgeirean Shallachain * Sligneach Bag * Sligneach Mòr File:Corrachadh Mor 2005-07-15.jpg, Corrachadh Mòr as seen from the Ardnamurchan Point lighthouse File:Dramatic Scenery at Loch Sunart - geograph.org.uk - 1659920.jpg, Loch Sunart File:Creach Bheinn and Glen Galmadale.jpg,
Creach Bheinn Creach Bheinn is a prominent mountain in the Morvern area in the west of Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, ...
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 Terminus may refer to: Ancient Rome *Terminus (god), a Roman deity who protected boundary markers Transport *Terminal train station or terminus, a railway station serving as an end destination *Bus terminus, a bus station serving as an end des ...
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 Appin () is a coastal district of the Scottish West Highlands bounded to the west by Loch Linnhe, to the south by Loch Creran, to the east by the districts of Benderloch and Lorne, and to the north by Loch Leven. It lies northeast to southw ...
,
Ardchattan Ardchattan and Muckairn is a civil parish within Argyll and Bute in Scotland. It lies north of Oban, bordering Loch Etive and includes Glen Ure, Glen Creran, Barcaldine, Benderloch, Connel, Bonawe and Glen Etive. At the 2001 census, Ardch ...
,
Craignish Craignish (Scottish Gaelic, ''Creiginis'') is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It lies around south of Oban, and north-west of Lochgilphead. The peninsula is around long, and is aligned along a north-east to ...
,
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 Knapdale (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, North Knapdale and South 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'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs whic ...
,
Loch Melfort ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs which ...
,
Loch Craignish Loch Craignish is a sea loch on the mid-Argyll coast. Geography Loch Craignish lies between Oban and the Crinan Canal. Its opens into the Sound of Jura and provides a safe anchorage for small craft. Several islands lie within the loch, the large ...
,
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 Sween ( or ) is a sea loch located near Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Castle Sween is located on the southern shore towards the seaward end of the loch. The village of Tayvallich, a favoured haven for water craft as it sits at ...
,
Loch Caolisport ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs which ...
and
West Loch Tarbert West Loch Tarbert () is a sea loch that separates the northern and southern parts of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. A small isthmus joins these two areas, on which is to be found the village of Tarbert. The loch contains the islands ...
, 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 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 village of Lochg ...
; 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 The County of Bute (), also known as Buteshire, is a 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 Cumbraes are now ...
, 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 Rosneath Peninsula is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland, formerly in the historic county of Dunbartonshire. The peninsula is formed by the Gare Loch in the east, and Loch Long in the west, both merge with the upper Firth of Clyd ...
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 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 (; , ) is a historical region of Scotland. Culturally, the Highlands and the Scottish Lowlands, Lowl ...
, Loch Tulla, Loch Shira, the Cruachan Reservoir,
Loch Restil Loch Restil is a freshwater loch that lies in the pass between Glen Croe and Glen Kinglas on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. One of the main roads to the west of Scotland coast, the A83, passes Loch Restil. The bur ...
,
Loch Awe Loch Awe (Scottish Gaelic: ''Loch Obha''; also sometimes anglicised as Lochawe, Lochaw, or Lochow) 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 Lo ...
, Loch Avich, Blackmill Loch, Loch Nant, Loch Nell, Loch Scammadale, Loch Glashan,
Loch Loskin Loch Loskin is a freshwater loch in Ardnadam, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The outflow from the loch is the Milton Burn, which winds its way through Dunoon to the Firth of Clyde The Firth of Clyde, is the estuary of the River Clyde, on the ...
,
Loch Eck Loch Eck (Gaelic: ''Loch Eich'') is a freshwater loch located on the Cowal Peninsula, north of Dunoon, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is long. It is oriented in a north-south direction. Its main inflow, at the northern end, is the ...
, Asgog Loch,
Loch Tarsan Loch Tarsan is a freshwater loch and impounding reservoir located 13 kilometres northwest of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. This three-armed Reservoir extends into both Glen Tarsan and Glen Lean. It supplies water to the Striven Hydro-El ...
, Càm Loch,
Loch nan Torran ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs which ...
,
Loch Ciàran ''Loch'' ( ) is a word meaning "lake" or " sea inlet" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, subsequently borrowed into English. In Irish contexts, it often appears in the anglicized form "lough". A small loch is sometimes called a lochan. Lochs whic ...
, 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 Tangy Loch, Kintyre, Scotland, is a small loch (lake) located in the centre of the peninsula. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain, or an Area of Special Scientific Intere ...
.


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 Argyll and Bute (; , ) is one of 32 unitary authority, unitary council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieu ...
* Black Islands *
Burnt Islands The Burnt Islands () are three small islands that lie in the Kyles of Bute, on the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute, on the West coast of the Scottish mainland. The islands are located at . Individually the Islands are known by their Gaelic ...
(''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 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 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 149 ...
* Eilean nam Meann * Glas Eilean * Gluniform Island *
Henrietta Reef Henrietta may refer to: * Henrietta (given name), a feminine given name, derived from the male name Henry Places * Henrietta Island in the Arctic Ocean * Henrietta, Mauritius * Henrietta, Tasmania, a locality in Australia United States * Hen ...
*
Inis Chonain The International Nuclear Information System (INIS) hosts one of the world's largest collections of published information on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. History One of the founding purposes of the International Atomic Ene ...
* Inishail * Innis Errich *
Island Ross An island or isle is a piece of land, distinct from a continent, completely surrounded by water. There are continental islands, which were formed by being split from a continent by plate tectonics, and oceanic islands, which have never been ...
* Liath Eilean * Oitir Mòr *
Sanda Island Sanda Island () is a small island in the Firth of Clyde, off of Argyll and Bute, Scotland, near 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 ...
*
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

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 Am Fraoch Eilean is an uninhabited island in the Sound of Jura, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is from Ardfin on Jura. Brosdale Island Brosdale Island is an uninhabited island in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Sco ...
* An Dubh Sgeir * An Stèidh * Bach Island * Balach Rocks *
Belnahua Belnahua is one of the Slate Islands, in the Firth of Lorn in Scotland, known for its deserted slate quarries. The bedrock that underpins its human history is part of the Scarba Conglomerate Formation and its value has been on record since the ...
*
Bernera Island Bernera Island () or simply Bernera is a tidal island off Lismore, in Argyll, Scotland. History In the 6th century, Bernera was settled by monks of the Irish Culdee church under the leadership of St. Moluag. St. Columba used the island as ...
*
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 Cara Island () is a small island which is located off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. Geography and etymology Cara is south of Gigha. It is accessible from Gigha. Cara has a translation in Gaelic as "dearest" or "dear one". Cara is ...
* Carraig an Daimh * Carsaig Island * Coiresa *
Coll Coll (; )Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 31 is an island located west of the Isle of Mull and northeast of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and fo ...
*
Colonsay Colonsay (; ; ) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, located north of Islay and south of Isle of Mull, Mull. The ancestral home of Clan Macfie and the Colonsay branch of Clan MacNeil, it is in the council area of Argyll and Bute and ...
* Craro Island *
Island of Danna 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 Sween from the Sound of Jura. It is par ...
*
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 187 ...
* 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 * E ...
*
Easdale Easdale () 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' inhabited islands ...
* 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 is an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides of the west coast of Scotland. It is the second largest and southernmost of the Garvellachs archipelago and lies in the Firth of Lorn between Isle of Mull, Mull and Argyll. The nam ...
* 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 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 (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish ...
* Eilean Dioghlum * Eilean Dùin * Eilean Fraoich * 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 ...
* Eilean Loch Oscair * Eilean Mhartan * Eilean Mhic Chrion *
Eilean Mhic Coinnich Eilean Mhic Coinnich, also known as Mackenzie Island (although recorded on the Land Register as McKenseys Island), is an uninhabited island of , lying off the southern end of the Rinns of Islay peninsula on the Inner Hebridean island of Islay, ...
*
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 na Cloiche *
Eilean na Cille Eilean na Cille, south east of Benbecula is an island of the Outer Hebrides The Outer Hebrides ( ) or Western Isles ( , or ), sometimes known as the Long Isle or Long Island (), is an Archipelago, island chain off the west coast of mai ...
* 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 () is an uninhabited island in the Summer Isles, in 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 ...
* Eilean nan Gamhna * Eilean Odhar * Eilean Ona *
Eilean Ornsay Eilean Ornsay is a rocky and uninhabited island located off the south-western coast of the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. It is situated on the western side of Loch Eatharna and is joined to Coll at low tide. Evidence of the dun and other ar ...
* 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, t ...
* 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 Eriska is a flat tidal island at the entrance to Loch Creran on the west coast of Scotland. Privately owned by the Buchanan-Smiths from 1973 until August 2016, Eriska is now owned by Creation Gem, a family-owned business from Hong Kong.
*
Erraid Erraid () 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, Alex (Ed). (1994). ...
* Fladda *
Frenchman's Rocks A Frenchman is a French person. Frenchman may also refer to: Places * Frenchman, Nevada, an unincorporated community * Frenchman Bay, Maine * Frenchman Bay, within King George Sound (Western Australia) * Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan, Canada * ...
* Gamhna Gigha * Gamhnach Mhòr *
Garbh Rèisa {{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 Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kin ...
*
Garbh Sgeir Garbh Sgeir (Gaelic: 'rough skerry') is a rock about 100 metres west of the islet Òigh-sgeir, in the Small Isles, Lochaber, Scotland. There is an anchorage between the two. It is not to be confused with the nearby islet of the same name ...
*
Garvellachs The Garvellachs (Scottish Gaelic: ''Na Garbh Eileacha'') or Isles of the Sea form a small archipelago in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The islands include Garbh Eileach, Dùn Chonnuill and Eileach an Naoimh. Part of the Argyll and Bute counc ...
* Gigalum Island *
Gigha Gigha ( ; ; ) or the Isle of Gigha (and formerly Gigha Island) is an island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. The island forms part of Argyll and Bute and has a population of 163 people. The climate is mild with higher than average suns ...
* 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 Humla District (), a part of Karnali Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Simikot as its district headquarters, covers an area of and has population of 50,858 as per the census of 2011. Namkha is the larg ...
*
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 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 (; , sometimes simply ''Ì'') is an island in the Inner Hebrides, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there are other buildings on the island. Iona Abbey was a centre of Gaeli ...
*
Island Macaskin Island Macaskin or MacAskin () is an island in Loch Craignish, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is owned by the Jenkin family and has been since 1904. History and wildlife The island was formerly inhabited, and unusually for the Scottish i ...
*
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 Hyskeir () 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 kilometres south ...
(''in Gaelic, Oigh-Sgeir'') * Jura *
Kerrera Kerrera ( ; or ''Cearrara'') is an island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, close to the town of Oban. In 2016 it had a population of 45, divided into two communities in the north and south of the island. Geography The island is around long ...
*
Lady's Rock Lady's Rock is an uninhabited skerry to the south west of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides. It is submerged at high tide and carries a navigation beacon. Eilean Musdile is to the north east, next to Lismore. History In 1527, Lachlan Maclean of D ...
*
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 N ...
* 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 Muck most often refers to: *Muck (soil), a soil made up primarily of humus from drained swampland Muck may also refer to: Places Europe * Muck, Scotland, an island * Isle of Muck, County Antrim, a small island connected by sand spit to Portmuck ...
*
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 Nave Island lies to the north of Islay in the Inner Hebrides near the mouth of Loch Gruinart. It is uninhabited. Geography The island is all but cut in two by a narrow chasm that runs northwest to southeast across the northern third. The hig ...
* Ormsa *
Oronsay Oronsay (), also sometimes spelt and pronounced ''Oransay'' by the local community, is a small tidal island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides with an area of . The island rises to a height of at Beinn Orasaigh and is linked t ...
*
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 Rùm (), a Scottish Gaelic language, Scottish Gaelic name often Anglicisation, anglicised to Rum ( ), is one of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, in the district of Lochaber. For much of the 20th century the ...
*
Samalan Island Samalan Island is a small island, just off the Isle of Mull at the mouth of Loch na Keal in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. To its south west is the island of Inchkenneth, and to its north, the island of Ulva Ulva (; ) is a small island in t ...
* 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 Shian (, 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 2006 census, ...
* Shuna, Slate Islands * Shuna Island, Loch Linnhe *
Skerryvore Skerryvore (from the Scottish Gaelic, 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 diff ...
*
Small Isles The Small Isles () are a small archipelago in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. They lie south of Skye and north of Mull and Ardnamurchan – the most westerly point of mainland Scotland. Until 1891, Canna, Rùm a ...
* Soa, near Coll * Soa, Tiree * Soa, near Mull *
Staffa Staffa (, , from the Old Norse for stave or pillar island) is an island of the Inner Hebrides in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Vikings gave it this name as its columnar basalt reminded them of their houses, which were built from vertically pl ...
* 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 The Torran Rocks are a group of small islands and skerries located between the islands of Mull and Colonsay in Scotland. Geography and geology The main rocks are Dearg Sgeir, MacPhail's Anvil, Na Torrain, Torran Sgoilte and Torr an t-Saothai ...
*
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 The Treshnish Isles are an archipelago of small islands and skerries, lying west of the Isle of Mull, in Scotland. They are part of the Inner Hebrides. Trips to the Treshnish Isles operate from Ulva Ferry, Tobermory, Ardnamurchan and Tiree. Ge ...
*
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 Gylen Castle is a ruined castle, or tower house, at the south end of the island of Kerrera in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on a promontory overlooking the Firth of Lorne. It was made a scheduled monument in 1931. History Built in 1582 by the Cl ...
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 Morvern ( ; "the sea-gap"), 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 Su ...
. 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 Ardchattan and Muckairn is a civil parish within Argyll and Bute in Scotland. It lies north of Oban, bordering Loch Etive and includes Glen Ure, Glen Creran, Barcaldine, Benderloch, Connel, Bonawe and Glen Etive. At the 2001 census, Ardcha ...
*
Ardgour Ardgour () ( ; meaning ''high place of goats'') is an area of the Scottish Highlands on the western shore of Loch Linnhe. It lies north of the district of Morvern and east of the district of Sunart. Administratively it is now part of the wa ...
*
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 Ardnamurchan (, ) 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 access route being a single track road for much of its l ...
*
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 Coll (; )Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 31 is an island located west of the Isle of Mull and northeast of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and fo ...
*
Colonsay Colonsay (; ; ) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, located north of Islay and south of Isle of Mull, Mull. The ancestral home of Clan Macfie and the Colonsay branch of Clan MacNeil, it is in the council area of Argyll and Bute and ...
and
Oronsay Oronsay (), also sometimes spelt and pronounced ''Oransay'' by the local community, is a small tidal island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides with an area of . The island rises to a height of at Beinn Orasaigh and is linked t ...
*
Craignish Craignish (Scottish Gaelic, ''Creiginis'') is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It lies around south of Oban, and north-west of Lochgilphead. The peninsula is around long, and is aligned along a north-east to ...
*
Dunoon Dunoon (; ) is the main town on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, to the south of the Holy Loch and to the north of Innellan. As well as forming part of the cou ...
and
Kilmun Kilmun () is a linear settlement on the north shore of the Holy Loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It takes its name from the 7th-century monastic community founded by an Irish monk, St Munn (Fintán of Taghmon). The ruin of a 12th-century chur ...
*
Gigha Gigha ( ; ; ) or the Isle of Gigha (and formerly Gigha Island) is an island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. The island forms part of Argyll and Bute and has a population of 163 people. The climate is mild with higher than average suns ...
and
Cara Island Cara Island () is a small island which is located off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. Geography and etymology Cara is south of Gigha. It is accessible from Gigha. Cara has a translation in Gaelic as "dearest" or "dear one". Cara is ...
* Glassary (Kilmichael),
Kilmartin Glen Kilmartin Glen is an area in Argyll north of Knapdale. It has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland. The glen is located between Oban and Lochgilphead, surrounding the village of Kilmartin. I ...
/
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 Inveraray ( or ; meaning "mouth of the Aray") is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located on the western shore of Loch Fyne, near its head, Inveraray is a former royal burgh and known affectionately as "The Capital of Argyll." It is the ...
*
Inverchaolain Inverchaolain is a hamlet on the Cowal Peninsula, in 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. ...
* Jura * Kilbrandon and Kilchattan *
Kilcalmonell The parish of Kilcalmonell is situated in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It extends from Clachan, in Kintyre to Kilberry, in Knapdale Knapdale (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the sout ...
*
Kilchoman Kilchoman ( ; ) is a small settlement and large parish on the Scottish island of Islay, within the unitary council of Argyll and Bute. Settlement The settlement of Kilchoman consists of a small number of houses gathered around the 19th cen ...
*
Kilchrenan Kilchrenan () is a small village in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland. Kilchrenan is located near to the end of the B845 road, about inland from Loch Awe. It forms part of the area of Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council. The tomb of Col ...
and
Dalavich Dalavich () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the western bank of Loch Awe and has a population of around 70. It is located from the main town and port of Oban, connected by the villages of Kilchrenan and Taynuilt. Hist ...
* 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 Kilchenzie is a small farming community situated northwest 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, ...
*
Kilmallie Kilmallie () is a civil parish in Lochaber, in the west highlands of Scotland. It is centered on the village of Caol, near Fort William and extends to Banavie and Corpach. It gives its name to the local shinty Shinty () is a team sport pl ...
(part) *
Kilmartin Kilmartin (, meaning "church of Màrtainn") is a small village in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It is best known as the centre of Kilmartin Glen, an area with one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments and historical sit ...
*
Kilmodan Kilmodan is a civil parish situated on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It includes the valley of Glendaruel and surrounding areas, with Kilmodan Church located in the Clachan of Glendaruel. The alternative historical ...
*
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 Kilmelford () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated near the head of the west coast sea loch, Loch Melfort, on the A816 Lochgilphead to Oban road about south of Oban. Points of interest *An Sithean (Kilmelford Cave) * Ard ...
* Lismore and
Appin Appin () is a coastal district of the Scottish West Highlands bounded to the west by Loch Linnhe, to the south by Loch Creran, to the east by the districts of Benderloch and Lorne, and to the north by Loch Leven. It lies northeast to southw ...
*
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 Lochgoilhead (, IPA: kʰʲaun̴̪ˈɫ̪ɔxˈkɤilə is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It stands at the head of Loch Goil. Location The village is surrounded by se ...
and Kilmorich *
Morvern Morvern ( ; "the sea-gap"), 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 Su ...
* North
Knapdale Knapdale (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, North Knapdale and South Knapdale. ...
* Saddell and
Skipness Skipness (, ) is a village and Quoad sacra parish on the east coast of Kintyre in Scotland, located just over south of Tarbert and facing the Isle of Arran. There is Skipness Castle (a ruined castle) and Kilbrannan Chapel, also known as ...
* South
Knapdale Knapdale (, ) forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, North Knapdale and 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 Strachur () and Strathlachlan () are united parishes in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Strachur is a small village on the eastern coast of Loch Fyne. Geography Cowal is the large peninsula situated between Loch Long to the east and Loch Fyne ...
*
Strathlachlan Strachur () and Strathlachlan () are united parishes in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Strachur is a small village on the eastern coast of Loch Fyne. Geography Cowal is the large peninsula situated between Loch Long to the east and Loch Fyne t ...
*
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 Torosay 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 central and south-eastern part. It is bordered by the pari ...


Settlements


Mainland (north)

*
Acharacle Acharacle (; , "Torquil's ford") is a village on the landward end of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, at the foot of Loch Shiel. The ford referred to in the name spans the River Shiel, and, according to legend, was the site ...
* 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 Countries of the United Kingdo ...
*
Ardgour Ardgour () ( ; meaning ''high place of goats'') is an area of the Scottish Highlands on the western shore of Loch Linnhe. It lies north of the district of Morvern and east of the district of Sunart. Administratively it is now part of the wa ...
*
Ardtoe Ardtoe () 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 Eigg ( ; ) is one of the Small Isles in the Scotland, Scottish Inner Hebrides. It l ...
*
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 Blaich ( – 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 a Countries of th ...
*
Bonnavoulin Bonnavoulin or Bunavullin () is a village on the Morvern peninsula in the Highlands of Scotland. Situated at the northern terminus of the B849, it is about from Lochaline and on the eastern shore of the Sound of Mull opposite the isle of Mull ...
*
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 is within the parish of Kilmallie. The name "Caol" is from the G ...
* Clovullin *
Corpach Corpach () is a large village north of Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands. The canal lock at Corpach Basin on Loch Linnhe, east of the narrows leading to Loch Eil, is the western sea entrance of the Caledonian Canal. It is a natural harbou ...
* Corran *
Duisky Duisky ( – "black water", referring to the dark appearance of Loch Eil) is a small hamlet on the south shore of Loch Eil, directly across from Fassfern, and approximately west of Fort William on the south shore of Loch Eil, Lochaber, Sco ...
*
Fassfern Fassfern () is a hamlet on the north shore of Loch Eil in the Scottish Highlands, at the bottom of Glen Suileag and almost opposite Duisky. Historically it was spelled ''Fassiefern''. Clan MacPhail as part of the Clan Chattan Federation is tho ...
*
Glenborrodale Glenborrodale () is a coastal community on Loch Sunart in the south of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in the Highland area of Scotland. It gives its name to a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' reserve in the nearby oakwoods. In May 1746 ...
*
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 () 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 Kinlochiel () 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 Mallaig Mallaig ...
* Laga *
Lochaline Lochaline () 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 Sound of Mull, the Sound of Mull. A ferry operates regularly over to Fishnish on the ...
* 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 () 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 Kilchoan () is a village on the Scotland, Scottis ...
*
Polloch Polloch is a remote and picturesque 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 ...
*
Portuairk Portuairk () is a crofting township, at the western end of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It is the most westerly settlement on the British mainland, although nearby Kilchoan is the most westerly village. Overlookin ...
*
Resipole Resipole () is a settlement on the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Highland, Scotland. Resipole is located on the A861 road on the northern shore of Loch Sunart Loch Sunart (Scottish Gaelic ) is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. Loch Sunar ...
* 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 west and east. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz' ...
* 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 Trislaig () is a small coastal hamlet on the north eastern shores of Loch Linnhe, and is situated directly across from Fort William in Lochaber, Scottish Highlands and is in the council area of Highland Highlands or uplands are areas of hi ...


Mainland (south)

*
Achahoish Achahoish () is a village on the west coast of Knapdale in the Scottish 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 ar ...
*
Achinhoan Achinhoan is a settlement on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It consists of a handful of buildings, half a mile (one km) west of Achinhoan Head and three miles (five km) southeast of Campbeltown Campbelt ...
*
Achnamara Achnamara () is a village in the Scottish council area of Argyll and Bute. Its location is approximately 56°1' N 5°34' W. Achnamara means 'field by the sea'. The name is formed from the Gaelic words 'field', the definite article , and 'sea'. ...
*
Ardentinny Ardentinny () is a small village on the western shore of Loch Long, north of Dunoon in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Nearby is Cruach a Chaise (Cheese Hill). On the opposite side of Loch Long is the village of Coulport, home of RNAD Coulport, ...
*
Ardgartan Ardgartan is a hamlet in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. 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 and The Trossachs National Park ...
*
Ardnadam Ardnadam () is a village on the Holy Loch on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is located northwest of Hunters Quay and east of Sandbank, and sits across the loch from Kilmun. History "Ardnadam village is of very ...
*
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 Ardtaraig is a hamlet lying at the head of Loch Striven on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. The hamlet is on the single track B836 road. Cowal Hydro Scheme The Cowal Hydro Scheme is part of the Sloy/Awe Hydro-Elect ...
* Ardulaine * Arrochar *
Ballachulish The village of Ballachulish ( or , from Scottish Gaelic ) in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred on former slate quarries, and now primarily serves tourists in the area. Name The name Ballachulish (from Scottish Gaelic, ''Baile a' Chao ...
* Barcaldine * Bellochantuy *
Benderloch Benderloch (, ) 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 and Muckairn, Argyll, Sco ...
* 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 Carradale (, ) is a village on the east side of the Kintyre Peninsula, 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 p ...
*
Carrick Castle Carrick Castle is a 14th-century tower house on the west shore of Loch Goil on the Cowal, Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is located between Cuilmuich and Carrick, south of Lochgoilhead. The castle stands on a rocky ...
*
Clachaig Clachaig () is a small settlement in Glen Lean, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is located on the B836 road between the Holy Loch and Loch Striven, the hamlet is just over a mile long. ''Clachaig'' is a Ga ...
*
Clachan A clachan ( or ; ; ) 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 Gaelic Language'' Stirling Eneas MacKay, 1 ...
* Clachan of Glendaruel *
Claonaig 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 is the location of the ...
*
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 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 Conn ...
* Coylet *
Craobh Haven Craobh Haven is a small purpose-built village and sailing port on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated on the Craignish peninsula, to the west of the A816 road, approximately south of Oban. Craobh Haven is between ...
* Crinan *
Dalavich Dalavich () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the western bank of Loch Awe and has a population of around 70. It is located from the main town and port of Oban, connected by the villages of Kilchrenan and Taynuilt. Hist ...
*
Dalmally Dalmally (Scottish Gaelic: ''Clachan an Dìseirt'' or ''Dail Mhàilidh'') is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is near the A85 road and is served by Dalmally railway station. Former Labour Party leader John Smith was born in Dalmall ...
* 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 ...
*
Dunbeg Dunbeg (), formerly known as Dunstaffnage ( or ''Dùn Staidhinis''), is a village about outside of Oban, Scotland. It has a population of just under 1,000. It is home to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), one of the primary m ...
*
Dunoon Dunoon (; ) is the main town on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, to the south of the Holy Loch and to the north of Innellan. As well as forming part of the cou ...
*
Duror Duror (, meaning hard water), occasionally Duror of Appin, is a small, remote coastal village that sits at the base of Glen Duror, in district of Appin, in the Scottish West Highlands, within the council area of Argyll and Bute in Scotland. ...
*
Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...
* Furnace *
Glenbarr Glenbarr (, ) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the west coast of the Kintyre Kintyre (, ) is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The peninsula stretches about , from the Mull of Kinty ...
*
Glenbranter Glenbranter is a hamlet and former estate, once owned by Sir Harry Lauder, on the northwest shore of Loch Eck in the Argyll Forest Park, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, West of Scotland. The River Cur passes the main entrance to ...
* 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 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 Gr ...
*
Hunters Quay Hunters Quay () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Situated between Kirn to the south and Ardnadam to the north, Hunters Quay is the main base of Western Ferries, operating between Hunters Quay and McInroy's Point. Structures Roya ...
*
Innellan Innellan is a village in Argyll and Bute, west of 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 destinatio ...
*
Inveraray Inveraray ( or ; meaning "mouth of the Aray") is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Located on the western shore of Loch Fyne, near its head, Inveraray is a former royal burgh and known affectionately as "The Capital of Argyll." It is the ...
*
Inverchaolain Inverchaolain is a hamlet on the Cowal Peninsula, in 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. ...
* Invercreran *
Kames Kames may refer to: ;People * Henry Home, Lord Kames, Scottish philosopher * Abdesalam Kames, Libyan footballer * Bob Kames, American organist * Kambūjia, otherwise Cambyses of Persia * Kamose, last Egyptian pharaoh of the Seventeenth dynasty of ...
*
Kennacraig Kennacraig () is a hamlet situated on West Loch Tarbert, a southwest of Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula, Argyll and Bute, in the west of Scotland. Ferry terminal Caledonian MacBrayne ferries sail from the terminal, on the rocky islet Eil ...
* Kentallen *
Kilberry Kilberry () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is close to the western coast of the district of Knapdale. Kilberry Castle, just to the west of the village, was built in 1497 as a L-plan castle by a cadet branch of Clan Campbell. The ...
*
Kilchenzie Kilchenzie is a small farming community situated northwest 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, ...
* Kilkerran * Kilmanshenachan *
Kilmelford Kilmelford () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated near the head of the west coast sea loch, Loch Melfort, on the A816 Lochgilphead to Oban road about south of Oban. Points of interest *An Sithean (Kilmelford Cave) * Ard ...
* Kilmore *
Kilmun Kilmun () is a linear settlement on the north shore of the Holy Loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It takes its name from the 7th-century monastic community founded by an Irish monk, St Munn (Fintán of Taghmon). The ruin of a 12th-century chur ...
*
Kinlochleven Kinlochleven () () is a coastal village located in Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands and lies at the eastern end of Loch Leven. To the north lie the Mamores ridge; to the south lie the mountains flanking Glen Coe. The village was formed fro ...
*
Kirn Kirn () is a town in the Bad Kreuznach (district), Bad Kreuznach Districts of Germany, district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is the seat of the ''Verbandsgemeinde'' Kirner Land. Kirn is a Central place theory, middle centre serving an area ...
* 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 Lochgoilhead (, IPA: kʰʲaun̴̪ˈɫ̪ɔxˈkɤilə is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It stands at the head of Loch Goil. Location The village is surrounded by se ...
*
Machrihanish Machrihanish (, ) is a village in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. It is a short distance north of the tip of the Mull of Kintyre, which faces out towards Northern Ireland and the Atlantic. Machrihanish bay The main sandy beach ...
* Millhouse *
Muasdale Muasdale () 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 west coast o ...
*
North Connel North Connel is a hamlet on the north side of Loch Etive in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Connel Bridge connects the community to Connel on the south shore of the loch, approximately 7 kilometres from Oban Oban ( ; meaning ''The Little B ...
*
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 Otter Ferry () is a settlement on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland, formerly the site of a ferry across Loch Fyne. Otter Ferry is situated 9 miles from Portavadie from where there is a ferry to Tarbert, in Kintyre ...
* Peninver *
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 Hamburg, Manche ...
* 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 Rashfield is a hamlet on the Cowal peninsula, situated between Loch Eck and the head of Holy Loch, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The hamlet is on the A815 road and the River Eachaig flows past from Loch Eck to the Holy Loch. Rashfield is within ...
* St Catherines * Saddell * Sandbank *
Skipness Skipness (, ) is a village and Quoad sacra parish on the east coast of Kintyre in Scotland, located just over south of Tarbert and facing the Isle of Arran. There is Skipness Castle (a ruined castle) and Kilbrannan Chapel, also known as ...
*
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 Strachur () and Strathlachlan () are united parishes in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Strachur is a small village on the eastern coast of Loch Fyne. Geography Cowal is the large peninsula situated between Loch Long to the east and Loch Fyne ...
*
Strone Strone () 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 and The Trossa ...
* Succoth *
Tarbert Tarbert () is a place name in Scotland and Ireland. Places named Tarbert are characterised by a narrow strip of land, or isthmus. This can be where two lochs nearly meet, or a causeway out to an island. Etymology All placenames that variously s ...
*
Tayinloan Tayinloan (, ) is a village situated on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The village has a sub post office, general store and a small hotel (all currently closed), a village hall and a play park. There is a ...
*
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 Tighnabruaich (; ) is a village on the Cowal Peninsula, on the western arm of the Kyles of Bute in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. In 2011 the population was 660. It is west of Glasgow and north of the Isle of Arran. Tighnabruaich is now p ...
*
Torinturk Torinturk () is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Torinturk is from Tarbert. Torinturk comes from the Gaelic for the hill of the boar. This is where the last wild boar in Scotland was killed. History The present village was started in ...
* 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 Ardmenish () is a largely cleared village on the island of Jura, in 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, li ...
(Jura) *
Ardtalla Ardtalla (Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003 (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 23 March 2007.) is a place name and estate in the southeast coastal area of Islay, Scotland. The name derives from Gaelic ''Àird'', a "point", and ''talla'', a now obs ...
(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 Arinagour (, "shieling of the goats") is a village on the island of Coll, in the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. It is the main settlement on the island, and is the island's ferry terminal. It has a population of around 50. History A ...
(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-da ...
(Islay) *
Bowmore Bowmore (, 'Big Bend') is a small town on the Scottish island of Islay, situated on the banks of the sea loch, Loch Indaal. It serves as administrative capital of the island, and gives its name to the noted Bowmore distillery producing Bowmor ...
(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 Bunessan (), meaning "bottom of the waterfall", is a small village on the Ross of Mull, a peninsula in the south-west of the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. The settlement is at OS grid reference NM382218, within the parish of Ki ...
(Mull) *
Bunnahabhain Bunnahabhain ( ; from Scottish Gaelic (, ), meaning 'foot of the river')According to Edward Dwelly's ''Illustrated Gaelic to English Dictionary'', 9th ed., 1977, page 141, the word 'bun' also means 'mouth (of a river)' is a village on the nort ...
(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 Craighouse () is the main settlement and capital of the Scottish Inner Hebridean island of Jura, in Argyll and Bute. In 1971 it had a population of 113. The village is situated on the sheltered east coast of the island at the southern end of S ...
(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 Dervaig () 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 roughly midway between Tobermory and Calgary. In 1961 it had a population o ...
(Mull) *
Feolin Feolin (also known as Feolin Ferry) is a slipway on the west coast of Jura. provides a vehicle and passenger ferry service from Port Askaig on Islay Islay ( ; , ) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The ...
(Jura) *
Fionnphort Fionnphort (, ) is the principal port of the Ross of Mull, and the second largest settlement in the area (its population is approximately 80). The village's name is the anglicised pronunciation of the Gaelic for "White Port" and previous names h ...
(Mull) *
Fishnish Fishnish () is a ferry terminal on the Isle of Mull, roughly halfway between Tobermory and Craignure. It is owned and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne (), in short form CalMac, is the trade name of CalMac Ferries Ltd, t ...
(Mull) *
Kilchoman Kilchoman ( ; ) is a small settlement and large parish on the Scottish island of Islay, within the unitary council of Argyll and Bute. Settlement The settlement of Kilchoman consists of a small number of houses gathered around the 19th cen ...
(Islay) * Kinloch (Rùm) * Kintra (Mull) *
Knockan Knockan () is a township of six crofts in the community of Ardtun, in the south of the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. ''Cnocan'' in Gaelic means "little hill". The cottage called "Knockan" is distinguished by its bright red roof ...
(Mull) *
Lagavulin Lagavulin (, "hollow of the mill") is a small village approximately outside Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay, Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third ...
(Islay) *
Laphroaig Laphroaig distillery ( ) is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery on Islay, Scotland. It is situated on the south coast of the island, near Port Ellen, at the head of a small bay known as Loch Laphroaig. The Lagavulin and Ardbeg distillerie ...
(Islay) * Lochbuie (Mull) *
Nerabus Nerabus (otherwise Nereabolls) is a hamlet in the west of the isle of Islay in Scotland. The vicinity is noted for its scenic qualities and diverse birdlife BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations tha ...
(Islay) *
Pennyghael Pennyghael () is a small village in the Ross of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located along the A849 road aligned along the coast line of Ross, on Loch Scridain in southwestern Mull, along the road to Bunessan. The Leidle River passe ...
(Mull) *
Port Askaig Port Askaig () is a port village on the east coast of the island of Islay, in Argyll and Bute, 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 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 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 and causeway ...
(Muck) *
Portnahaven Portnahaven (, meaning river port) is a village on Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The village is within the parish of Kilchoman. It was founded by Walter Campbell of Shawfield after he purchased the Sunderland estate in 1788 and it wa ...
(Islay) *
Port Wemyss 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 Hamburg, Manche ...
(Islay) * Salen (Mull) *
Scalasaig Scalasaig () lies on the east coast of Colonsay, in the council area of Argyll and Bute of Scotland. It is the main settlement on the island and its only port; thus tourists arriving by ferry must pass through it on the way to any part of the i ...
(Colonsay) *
Scarinish Scarinish ( ) 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 harbour was built in 1771. In 196 ...
(Tiree) *
Tiroran Tiroran is hamlet on the Isle of Mull in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. History In the late 18th century Tiroran House was associated with the McKinnon family. Several family members are documented to have lived in the area and then served in the ...
(Mull) * Tobermory (Mull) *
Uisken Uisken (, meaning "water-bay") is a settlement on a sandy bay on the Ross of Mull in the south of the Isle of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland. The settlement is within the parish of Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon ...
(Mull) *
Ulva Ferry Ulva Ferry () is a hamlet on the Hebridean island of Mull, on its west coast. Ulva Ferry is on the shore of Ulva Sound (''Caolas Ulbha'') and the ferry connects Mull and the island of Ulva Ulva (; ) is a small island in the Inner Hebrid ...
(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 The West Highland Railway was a railway company that constructed a railway line from Craigendoran (on the River Clyde west of Glasgow, Scotland) to Fort William, Highland, Fort William and Mallaig. The line was built through remote and difficul ...
runs through the far north of the county, stopping at
Locheilside Locheilside railway station is a railway station on the northern shore of Loch Eil in the Highland Council Area of Scotland. This station is on the West Highland Line, between Glenfinnan and Loch Eil Outward Bound, located from the former Banav ...
, Loch Eil Outward Bound,
Corpach Corpach () is a large village north of Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands. The canal lock at Corpach Basin on Loch Linnhe, east of the narrows leading to Loch Eil, is the western sea entrance of the Caledonian Canal. It is a natural harbou ...
and
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 ...
, before carrying on to
Mallaig Mallaig (; ) is a seaport, port in Morar, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, Highlands of Scotland. It faces Skye from across the Sound of Sleat. The Mallaig railway station, local railway station is the terminus of the West Highlan ...
in Inverness-shire. A branch of the line also goes to
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 ...
, calling at
Dalmally Dalmally (Scottish Gaelic: ''Clachan an Dìseirt'' or ''Dail Mhàilidh'') is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is near the A85 road and is served by Dalmally railway station. Former Labour Party leader John Smith was born in Dalmall ...
,
Loch Awe Loch Awe (Scottish Gaelic: ''Loch Obha''; also sometimes anglicised as Lochawe, Lochaw, or Lochow) 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 Lo ...
, Falls of Cruachan,
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 ...
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 ( ; 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 ...
,
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 ...
,
Coll Coll (; )Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 31 is an island located west of the Isle of Mull and northeast of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and fo ...
,
Colonsay Colonsay (; ; ) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, located north of Islay and south of Isle of Mull, Mull. The ancestral home of Clan Macfie and the Colonsay branch of Clan MacNeil, it is in the council area of Argyll and Bute and ...
,
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 ...
and
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 ...
. 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 MacTavish Clan MacTavish (), is an Ancient Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan with Gaelic Ireland, Irish origins. The MacTavish lands were in Argyll in the Western Highlands. Their current Chief is Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry, the ...
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
Dukes of Argyll Duke of Argyll () 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 noble families in Scotland ...
. *
Clan MacIntyre Clan MacIntyre (McIntyre) ( ) is a Highland Scottish clan. The name ''MacIntyre'' (from Scottish Gaelic ''Mac an t-Saoir''), means "son of the carpenter.” It is most commonly said to descend from Maurice Mac Neil a nephew of Somerled, the grea ...
historically held lands in this region and had close ties with Clan Campbell. *
Clan Gregor Clan Gregor, also known as Clan MacGregor, is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan that claims an origin in the early 9th century. The clan's most famous member is Rob Roy MacGregor of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The clan ...
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 Clan Lamont (; ) is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan is said to descend from Ánrothán Ua Néill, an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty, and through him Niall Noigíallach, High King of Ireland. Clan Ewen of Otter, Clan MacNeil of Barra ...
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 Clan McCorquodale is a Scottish clan, recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, though without a Scottish clan chief, chief so recognised. The last chief of the clan died in the 18th century. Because the clan does not have a recognised chief, it ...
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 Clan MacMillan is a Highland Scottish clan. The Clan was originally located in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands during the 12th century. The clan supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence, but later supported ...
held lands in Argyll, notably in knapdale (viz. "MacMillan of Knap") *
Clan Malcolm The Clan Malcolm, also known as the Clan MacCallum, is a Highland Scottish clan.Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Counc ...
Also known as MacCallum. The Malcolm clan seat is
Duntrune Castle Duntrune Castle is located on the north side of Loch Crinan and across from the village of Crinan in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. It is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied castle on mainland Scotland. It was the seat of the Camp ...
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 Clan Maclean (; Scottish Gaelic: ' ) is a Scottish Highlands, Highlands Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Scottish Highlands, Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early Macle ...
Historically held lands on the
Isle of Mull The Isle of Mull or simply Mull ( ) is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) and lies off the west coast of Scotland in the Council areas of Scotland, council area of Argyll and Bute. Covering , Mull is the fourth-lar ...
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 i ...
* Clan MacLachlan historically feuded with the Campbells, and espoused Jacobitism. Held lands on both sides of Loch Fyne, with its seat in
Strathlachlan Strachur () and Strathlachlan () are united parishes in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Strachur is a small village on the eastern coast of Loch Fyne. Geography Cowal is the large peninsula situated between Loch Long to the east and Loch Fyne t ...
* 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 George may refer to: Names * George (given name) * George (surname) People * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Papagheorghe, also known as Jorge / GEØRGE * George, stage name of Gior ...
(born 12 April 1946, George Islay MacNeill Robertson), British Labour politician and tenth Secretary General of the
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental transnational military alliance of 32 member states—30 European and 2 North American. Established in the aftermath ...
* Eric Blair, better known as
George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and critic who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to a ...
, 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 published as ''1984'') is a dystopian novel and cautionary tale by the English writer George Orwell. It was published on 8 June 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell's ninth and final completed book. Thematically ...
. *
Karen Matheson Karen Matheson OBE (born 11 February 1963) is a Scottish folk singer who frequently sings in Gaelic. She is the lead singer of the group Capercaillie and was a member of Dan Ar Braz's group L'Héritage des Celtes, with whom she often sang l ...
, 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 Frances Ruth Shand Kydd (previously Spencer, ''née'' Roche; 20 January 1936 – 3 June 2004) was the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales. She was the maternal grandmother of William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, respectively ...
(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 Michael David Lindup (born 17 March 1959) is an English musician known as the keyboard player and falsetto-voiced singer who joined Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the British jazz-funk/pop rock band Level 42. Early life ...
, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, noted for being a member of
Level 42 Level 42 are an English jazz-funk band formed on the Isle of Wight in 1979. They had a number of UK and worldwide hits during the 1980s and 1990s. Their highest-charting single in the UK was " Lessons in Love", which reached number three on th ...


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 1965 historical novel for children written by Rosemary Sutcliff. It won the first Phoenix Award in 1985. It takes place in Roman Britain and tells the tale of a gladiator who becomes involved with the Dal ...
'' (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 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 Sir Thomas Sean Connery (25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to Portrayal of James Bond in film, portray the fictional British secret agent James Bond (literary character), James Bond in motion pic ...
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 Silly Wizard were a Scottish folk band that began forming in Edinburgh in 1970. The founder members were two like-minded university students— Gordon Jones (guitar, bodhran, vocals, bouzouki, mandola), and Bob Thomas (guitar, mandolin, man ...
and covered by
Fiddler's Green Fiddler's Green is an after-life where there is perpetual mirth, a fiddle that never stops playing, and dancers who never tire. In 19th-century English maritime folklore, it was a kind of after-life for sailors who had served at least fifty ye ...
in 2000. * The 1985 Scottish movie ''
Restless Natives ''Restless Natives'' is a 1985 Scottish adventure comedy film, 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 Mullane ...
'' used
Lochgoilhead Lochgoilhead (, IPA: kʰʲaun̴̪ˈɫ̪ɔxˈkɤilə is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It stands at the head of Loch Goil. Location The village is surrounded by se ...
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. It first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV (TV network), ITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United St ...
'' 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 The Hebrides ( ; , ; ) are the largest archipelago in the United Kingdom, off the west coast of the Scotland, Scottish mainland. The islands fall into two main groups, based on their proximity to the mainland: the Inner Hebrides, Inner and Ou ...
'' - 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
History of Argyll and Bute Counties of Scotland Former counties of Scotland Counties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922) Strathclyde {{purge