The Sound of Islay ( gd, Caol Ìle) is a narrow strait between the islands of Islay and Jura off the west coast of Scotland. It is about in extent from north to south and lies between Rubh' a' Mhàil on Islay and Rubh' Aird na Sgitheich on Jura to the north and Macarthur's Head and Rubha na Tràille to the south. The islands in the Sound are Am Fraoch Eilean, Brosdale Island and Glas Eilean, all of which are off the south east coast of Jura. These islands, Jura south of Loch Tarbert and the eastern part of the Sound are one of 40 National Scenic Areas in Scotland.

History

Am Fraoch Eilean (meaning "heather isle") contains the ruins of the medieval stronghold Claig Castle. It was built by Somerled in 1154 to defend the Sound and later used as a prison. Unusually for the

Argyll Argyll (; archaically Argyle, in modern Gaelic, ), sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and registration county of western Scotland. Argyll is of ancient origin, and corresponds to most of the part of the ancient kingdom of ...

islands the design, which is a Norman square tower with walls, is similar in style to mainland castles of the period. The Sound has been suggested as the location of the 1156 Battle of Epiphany. In 1549 Dean Monro wrote: "At the mouth of Kyle Ila, betwixt it and Duray, lyes ane ile, callit in Erische Leid Ellan Charne, in English the iyle of Earne". This may refer to Eilean a' Chùirn at .

Ferry

Argyll and Bute Council Argyll and Bute ( sco, Argyll an Buit; gd, Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòd, ) is one of 32 unitary authority council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod (14 July 2020). ...

operate a vehicle and passenger ferry service across the Sound from Feolin

slipway A slipway, also known as boat ramp or launch or boat deployer, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. They are used for building and repairing ships and boats, and for launching and retrieving small ...

on the west coast of Jura to

Port Askaig Port Askaig ( gd, Port Asgaig) is a port village on the east coast of the island of Islay, in Scotland. The village lies on the Sound of Islay (Caol Ìle) across from Jura. Economy Port Askaig has a hotel, a petrol station and shop next to th ...

on Islay, and Caledonian MacBrayne operate a vehicle and passenger ferry between Port Askaig and Kennacraig, on the mainland in West Loch Tarbert.

Renewable energy

In March 2011, the Scottish Government approved the largest tidal array in the world for the Sound of Islay, with 10 planned tidal turbines predicted to generate enough power for over 5,000 homes. The site offers both high currents and shelter from storms."Islay to get major tidal power scheme"
(March 17, 2011) BBC Scotland. Retrieved 17 March 2011.

Notes

References

* * Marsden, John (2008) ''Somerled and the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland''. Birlinn. East Linton. First published, 2000. * * RCAHMS (1984) ''Argyll: Islay, Jura, Colonsay & Oronsay''.

External links

{{coord, 55.85, -6.10, dim:20000_region:GB, display=title Islay Landforms of Islay Jura, Scotland Landforms of Argyll and Bute