List of freshwater islands in Scotland

A field of yellow flowers in the foreground, with a dark blue lake beyond. A wooded island in the lake has a white structure of two storeys at centre and there are green and brown hills beyond. There is a small cluster of houses on the distant hill slope at right.
Loch Leven Castle island, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned in 1567.[1]
A black-and-white map showing the sinuous shape of Loch Lomond, which contains numerous islands in the southern portion.
A map of the 1800s showing the islands of Loch Lomond

The freshwater islands in Scotland include those within freshwater lochs and rivers – including tidal areas, so the islands may not always be surrounded by freshwater. It has been estimated that there are at least 31,460 freshwater lochs in Scotland and that 1.9 per cent of the land surface is covered by freshwater. The distribution has a north-west to south-east gradient, with the highest concentrations occurring on the islands of the Outer Hebrides.[2][Note 1]

The more notable freshwater islands include Lochindorb Castle Island, Loch Leven Castle Island, St Serf's Inch and Inchmahome, each of which have had a role to play in Scottish history.[1][4][5][6] Inchmurrin, the largest freshwater island in the British Isles, is in Loch Lomond, which contains thirty or more other islands.[7][Note 2]

Various names are used repeatedly. "Inch" or Innis is a Scots word that can mean 'island' (although it is also used for terra firma surrounded by marsh). Similarly, Eilean is the Gaelic for 'island'. A common suffix for offshore islands in the north of Scotland is "-holm", derived from the Old Norse holmr, meaning a 'small and rounded islet'.[12][13][14] This list excludes artificial crannógs and the numerous small freshwater islands with no recorded name.[Note 3][Note 4]

Larger islands

Inchmurrin in Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest freshwater island
A view from above a lake containing several wooded islands with a wilderness of hills and moor beyond.
The islands of Loch Maree

This table includes all of the freshwater islands that exceed 35 hectares (86 acres) in size and/or are populated.

Island Location Area[16] Population[17]
Dunglass Island River Conon 40 ha (99 acres) 0
Eilean Mòr Loch Langavat 59 ha (150 acres) 0
Eilean Ruairidh Mòr Loch Maree 38 ha (94 acres)[18] 0
Eilean Sùbhainn Loch Maree 118 ha (290 acres) 0
Garbh Eilean Loch Maree 39 ha (96 acres)[18] 0
Inchcailloch Loch Lomond 50 ha (120 acres)[18] 0
Inchconnachan Loch Lomond 35 ha (86 acres)[18] 0
Inchfad Loch Lomond 35 ha (86 acres)[18] 1
Inchlonaig Loch Lomond 80 ha (200 acres)[18] 0
Inchmurrin Loch Lomond 120 ha (300 acres)[18] 8
Inchtavannach Loch Lomond 70 ha (170 acres)[18] 3
Innis Chonan Loch Awe 8 ha (20 acres) 5
Contin Island Black Water 15 ha (37 acres) 3
Moncreiffe Island River Tay 46 ha (110 acres) 3
St Serf's Inch Loch Leven 31 ha (77 acres)[18] 0

Inchlonaig and Inchcruin[Note 5] are classified by the National Records of Scotland as "inhabited islands but had no usual residents at the time of either the 2001 or 2011 censuses."[17] It is likely that Eilean Aigas is inhabited, at least from time to time as well, although it was not listed as such by the Census in 2001[19] or 2011.[20]

In mainland lochs

A view from high above a deep canyon with a narrow body of water at the bottom. The steep slope in the foreground is partly wooded, the slope on the far side is mostly cliffs and scree.
Loch Awe
A small wooded islet stands in a lake. A large ruined stone wall with a door and window sits amongst the trees. Green conifer-clad hills lie beyond the islet under leaden grey skies.
The ruins of Loch an Eilein castle with Cairn Gorm beyond
In the distance there are high snow-capped mountains, out of which a sinuous lake emerges. In the foreground lower brown hills surround the water.
The upper reaches of Loch Lomond in winter
Low trees and bushes in the foreground give way to a body of water with a large wooded isle close to the shore and smaller islets beyond. There are mountains in the distance.
Inchfad in Loch Lomond
In the foreground are the blue waters of a lake. Beyond that is a wooded shoreline on which there are the ruins of a large walled structure. Smoke drifts across the moorland in the distance.
Lochindorb Castle Island
A lake in winter with low snow-covered hills in the background and a brushwood slope in the foreground beneath a mottled blue sky.
St Serf's Inch and Loch Leven in winter, from Vane Farm on Benarty Hill
Green fields in the foreground with a lake beyond. There are wooded islets in the lake, which is skirted by low hills. Sunlight breaks through a clouded sky and illuminates a distant brown hillside.
Islands in Loch Morar
A gloomy, cloud-covered sky above a large lake surrounded by green hills. There is a wooded islet at left and a tall circular tower in the foreground topped by a statue.
The east end of Loch Shiel: the Glenfinnan monument and Eilean Ghleann Fhionainn
Tom Dubh in Loch Insh

Loch Awe is Scotland's longest loch and abounds with islands and crannógs. Several of the islands are, or have in the past, been inhabited; there are two castles and the remains of a chapel on the islands.[21] Inistrynich, Eilean na Maodail, Eilean Dubh and Liever Island are all promontories as opposed to islands despite their names. The loch's water levels have fluctuated so some of them may have been islands in recent history, as the promontory on which Kilchurn Castle stands once was.[22]

There may be up to sixty islands in the Loch Lomond including Inchmurrin, the largest freshwater island anywhere in the Britain and Ireland, and Inchconnachan, which has hosted a small population of Red-necked Wallaby since at least 1975.[23][24] The isolated strongholds of Lochindorb Castle and Loch an Eilein Castle were once in the hands of the 14th century nobleman Alexander Stewart, the infamous "Wolf of Badenoch".[25][26] There are numerous unnamed small islands in mainland lochs, including those where the water level has been artificially raised by the creation of dams for the production of hydro-electricity. This process has created new islands that would previously have been small eminences.[27]

Local authority[Note 6] Loch OS Grid reference Islands[Note 7]
Aberdeenshire Loch of Strathbeg NK067591 Red Rock
Argyll and Bute Loch Avich NM928138 Eilean Fraoch, Innis Luana
Argyll and Bute Loch Awe NN108253 Badan Tomain, Black Islands, Eilean Beith, Eilean a' Chòmhraidh, Eilean a' Chrochaidh, Eilean an t-Sagairt (2), Eilean an t-Slinne, Eilean nam Meann, Eilean Seileachan, Fraoch Eilean, Innis Chonan, Innis Chonnel, Innis Errich, Innis Sèa-ràmhach, Innis Stiùire, Inishail
Argyll and Bute Loch Bà NN317505 Eilean Molach
Argyll and Bute/Stirling/West Dunbartonshire Loch Lomond NS380911 Aber Isle, Bucinch, Ceardach, Clairinsh, Creagan Dubha, Creinch, Eilean Deargannan, Eilean na h-Aon Chraoibhe, Ellanderroch, Fraoch Eilean, Inchcailloch, Inchconnachan, Inchcruin, Inchfad, Inchgalbraith, Inchlonaig, Inchmoan, Inchmurrin, Inchtavannach, Inveruglas Isle, Island I Vow, Keppinch, Stot Isle, Ross Isles, Tarbet Isle, Torrinch, Wallace's Isle
Ayrshire Bogton Loch NS470055 Elizabeth Isle
Ayrshire Loch Doon NX487944 Castle Isle
Ayrshire Loch Finlas NX466976 McDowalls Island
Ayrshire Loch Macaterick NX440915 Blaeberry Isle, Deer Isle, Eagles Isle
Badenoch and Strathspey Loch an Eilein NH900080 Loch an Eilein Castle
Badenoch and Strathspey Loch Insh NH833052 Tom Dubh
Dumfries and Galloway Black Loch or Loch Crindil NX114611 Heron Isle
Dumfries and Galloway Carlingwark Loch NX763613 Fir Island, Ash Island
Dumfries and Galloway Fell Loch NX309551 Fern Island
Dumfries and Galloway Loch Kindar NX970642 Kirk Kindar Island
Dumfries and Galloway Loch Ken NX729652 Burned Island, Corselands, Danevale Island, Green Island, Kenmure Holms, Parton Island, Parton Ward
Dumfries and Galloway Loch Moan NX350857 Black Island, White Island
Dumfries and Galloway Loch Trool NX415800 Maiden Isle, Ringielawn or the Soldiers' Holm
Dumfries and Galloway Loch Urr NX758847 Rough Island
Dumfries and Galloway Mochrum Loch NX297526 Gargrie Island, Kid Islands, Long Island, Round Island, Rowan Island, Scar Island, Scart Islands, Underwood
Dumfries and Galloway White Loch or Loch of Inch NX106610 Inch Crindil
Inverness Loch a' Mhuillidh NH276381 Eilean a' Mhuillidha
Inverness Loch Laggan NN484865 Eilean an Righ
Inverness Loch Moy NH774345 Eilean nan Clach, Isle of Moy
Lochaber Loch Arkaig NN161888 An t-Eilean Beag, Eilean a' Ghiubhais, Eilean Loch Airceig
Lochaber Loch Bà NN322504 Eilean Molach, Eilean na h-Iolaire
Lochaber Loch Eilt NM807821 Eilean an Tighe, Eilean Gaineamhach, Eilean Mòr, Eilean na Moine, Eilean nan Corra-ghriodhach
Lochaber Loch Morar NM700917 An t-Eilean Meadhoin, Brinacory Island, Eilean Allmha, Eilean a' Phidhir, Eilean Bàn, Eilean Ghibbi, Eilean nam Breac, Eilean nan Reithean
Lochaber Loch Quoich NH058011 Rubha Dubh nam Fiad
Lochaber Loch Shiel NM904803 Eilean Comlach, Eilean Drollaman, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Fhianain, Eilean Ghleann Fhionainn, Eilean Mhic Dhomhnuill Dhuibh, Seilag
Moray Lochindorb NH974361 Lochindorb Castle island
Perth and Kinross Loch Earn NN690242 Neish Island
Perth and Kinross Loch Leven NO144013 Loch Leven Castle Island, St Serf's Inch
Perth and Kinross Loch of Clunie NO115444 Clunie Castle Island
Perth and Kinross Loch Tay NN766452 Isle of Spar
Perth and Kinross Loch Tummel NN852595 An Dùn
Perth and Kinross/Lochaber Loch Laidon NN378542 Eilean Iubhair
Ross and Cromarty Fionn Loch NG945803 Eilean a' Garbh Uilt, Eilean an Eich Bhàin, Eilean Fraoich, Eilean nan Corrichean
Ross and Cromarty Loch Maree NG914730 Eilean Camas a' Chonnaidh, Eilean nan Clachairean, Eilean a' Chlamhain, Eilean na Craoibhe, Eilean na Creige Giubhas, Eilean Dubh na Sròine, Eilean Eachainn, Eilean Ghrùididh, Eilean Loisgte, Eilean Mhic a' Fhùlaraich, Eilean Ruairidh Beag, Eilean Ruairidh Mòr, Eilean Sùbhainn, Garbh Eilean, Isle Maree
Ross and Cromarty Loch Monar NH190408 Creag Ghrada
Ross and Cromarty Loch Sionasgaig NC114143 Eilean Dubh (3), Eilean Mòr, Sgeirean Dubha
Ross and Cromarty Loch Ussie NH503571 Eilean Beag, Eilean Mòr
Stirling Loch Ard NN468017 Briedach, Dundochill,[28] Eilean Gorm
Stirling Loch Dochart NN404257 Loch Dochart Castle Island
Stirling Loch Katrine NN488079 Black Island, Eilean Bàn, Eilean Dharag, Eilean Molach, Lady's Isle, Otter Island
Stirling Lake of Menteith NN574005 Dog Isle, Inchmahome, Inch Talla
Sutherland Loch Assynt NC193257 Eilean an Sgudain, Eilean Assynt, Eilean Dubh
Sutherland Loch Loyal NC626463 Eilean Mòr, Eilean na Gaire, Eilean nan Crodh, Eilean Fraoich
Sutherland Loch nan Clàr NC767349 Eilean nam Meann, Rubha Mòr

On offshore islands

A small island in a lake lies offshore from green fields. A small wooden footbridge leads to the islet which contains various stone ruins including at least two gable ends.
Ruins on Eilean Mòr (in the foreground) and Eilean na Comhairle, Loch Finlaggan, Islay
A marshy landscape of reeds, grass, water lilies and open water under blue skies with some white, fluffy clouds at left. A stone house sits on the horizon in the distance.
Loch Olabhat (south) on Benbecula
The wind creates ripples on a blue lake surrounded by a low-lying green and brown landscape under small white clouds in a blue sky. Mountains line the distant horizon.
Loch Orasaigh and Rainish Eilean Mòr with the hills of Harris beyond

Although there are many crannógs in the lochs of the Inner Hebrides there are relatively few substantive, naturally occurring islands and of those that exist many are unnamed.[Note 8] By contrast there are innumerable small islands in the estimated 7,500 lochs of the Eilean Siar,[2] only a small proportion of which are named by the Ordnance Survey.[29]

The Orkney and Shetland archipelagos to the north are similarly lacking in freshwater islands. Law Ting Holm, now attached to Mainland Shetland, was the location of the national þing, or Norse parliament of Shetland.[30]

Archipelago Island Loch OS Grid reference Islands
Inner Hebrides Loch Finlaggan NR386673 Eilean Mòr, Eilean na Comhairle[Note 9]
Inner Hebrides Islay Loch Gorm NR227656 Eilean Mòr, Eilean nan Uan
Inner Hebrides Mull Loch Frisa NM480493 Eilean Bàn, Eilean Dubh
Outer Hebrides Benbecula Loch Dùn Mhurchaidh NF794546 Dùn Buidhe, Eilean Dubh
Outer Hebrides Benbecula Loch Eilean Iain NF786533 Eilean Iain
Outer Hebrides Benbecula Loch Langabhat NF827490 Eilean Ghillechriosda
Outer Hebrides Benbecula Loch Olabhat NF812419 Eilean Fiadhaich
Outer Hebrides Benbecula Loch Olabhat NF796514 Dùn Aonias, Dùn Ruadh
Outer Hebrides Great Bernera Loch Barabhat NB157355 Dùn Barabhat[Note 10]
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Airigh Seibh NB259388 Eileanan Dubh
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Fada Gobha NB245232 Eilean Cro Balair
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Lagasbhat Àrd NB243378 Eilean Ard, Eilean na Cachlaidh
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Lagasbhat Ìarach NB229388 Eilean Cleit Surraidh, Eilean Choinoich
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Langavat NB197205 Eilean a' Faof, Eilean Mhic Fail, Eilean Mòr, Tearead, Tearead Thioram, Tearead Fhliuch
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Mòr Bharabhais NB345496 Eilean Àird Fhianuis
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Morsgail NB138220 Eilean an Tighe
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Orasaigh NB386279 Rainish Eilean Mòr[Note 11]
Outer Hebrides Lewis Loch Trealalabhal NB274236 Eilean nan Cnàmh,[Note 12] Eilean nan Uan, Eilean Mòr Loch Trealaval, Eilean Dubh Mhic Leoid
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch an Eilean NF747759 Dùn a' Ghaillain
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch an t-Sruith Mhòir NF902695 Eilean Glas Mòr, Eilean na Caora Glaise, Eilean nam Faoileag
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Aonghais NF855738 Dùn Aonghais
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Carabhat NF848611 Dùn Bàn, Eilean Dubh, Eilean Glas
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Dùn an t-Siamain NF885593 Dùn an t-Siamain
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Eubhal NF726711 Dùn Mhic Raouill
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Fhada NF871712 Adam Fraoich, Eilean Dubh Mòr, Eilean Mossam
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Hundair NF905657 Dùn Bàn
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch nan Eun NF843674 Eilean Buidhe
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch nan Garbh Chlachan NF860599 Dùn Bàn
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch nan Geireann NF845727 Aird Reamhar, Eilean Glas
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch nan Strùban NF807646 Eilean Achotain
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Obasaraigh NF894613 Eilean Fada, Eilean Leathann, Eilean Mòr
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Olabhat NF749753 Eilean Dòmhnuill
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Sgadabhagh NF854683 Eilean Dubh Mòr
Outer Hebrides North Uist Loch Sgealtair NF893683 Dùn Eilean Buidhe
Outer Hebrides South Uist Loch an Dùin Mhor NF775414 Dùn Mòr
Outer Hebrides South Uist Loch an Eilein NF762371 Eilean Bheagram
Outer Hebrides South Uist Loch Bì NF773438 Brostam More, Brostam Beg, Chiasmul, Eilean a Charnan, Eilean Dubh an Tairbeirt, Limalum More
Outer Hebrides South Uist Loch Druidibeag NF777460 Dùn Buidhe, Dùn Ragbhail, Eilean an Rana
Outer Hebrides South Uist Loch Dùn na Buail'-uachdraich NF777460 Dùn na Buail'-uachdraich[33]
Outer Hebrides South Uist Loch Dùn na Cille NF748185 Dùn na Killie, Eilean Buidhe, Eilean Fraoich
Outer Hebrides South Uist Unnamed lochan[Note 13] NF758200 Eilean nan Rámh
Orkney Mainland Loch of Harray HY291160 Holm of Kirkness, Ling Holm, Ling Holms, Long Holm, Sand Holm
Orkney Mainland Loch of Swannay HY312279 Muckle Holm
Orkney Rousay Loch of Wasbister HY397333 The Burrian
Shetland Mainland Loch of Tingwall HU416427 Holme of Setter
Shetland Unst Loch of Watlee HP594055 Little Holm

In rivers

An overgrown area with a circular stone structure covered in ivy in the foreground and a wall with wide embrasures beyond. Tall trees, both conifers and deciduous overlook the scene.
The MacNab burial ground on Inchbuie
A woodland track leads through tall trees, some with the grown and gold leaves of autumn. There is an orange leaf litter on the ground. A body of water is visible through the trees to the left.
Woods on the Ness Islands
A massive, roofless four storey medieval stone tower sits amid grass and trees. On one side the stones are stained with orange lichen.
Threave Castle on Threave Island in the River Dee
A collection of ruined farm buildings and a nissen hut sit amid fields that lie beyond the grey waters of a river. Wooded slopes and higher treeless hills lie beyond.
Alloa Inch, showing the ruins
The manse on Contin Island

No part of Scotland is more than about 80.4 kilometres (50 mi) from the sea[35] and as a result Scotland's rivers are neither very wide nor long (although Scotland has many substantial salt water estuaries called firths). The below are islands in freshwater, or where indicated, occasionally reached by high tides and in brackish water.

Local authority River OS Grid reference Islands[Note 14]
Aberdeenshire River Deveron NJ683625 Scury Islands
Aberdeenshire River Deveron NJ637471 Logg Island
Aberdeenshire River Ythan NJ998274 Inch Geck (b)
Argyll and Bute River Orchy NN160275 Eilean a' Phortair, Garbh Eilean
Argyll and Bute River Shira NN139153 Eilean an Eagail
Clackmannanshire River Forth NS869918 Alloa Inch (b), Tullibody Inch (b)
Dumfries and Galloway Carsphairn Lane NX532961 Wright's Knowe
Dumfries and Galloway River Annan NY191692 Rabbit Island
Dumfries and Galloway River Cree NX383700 Auchie Isle, Cut Island, Fauld Carnahan Isle
Dumfries and Galloway River Dee NX740623 Danevale Island, Float Cock Island, Grainyford Isle, Kennan's Isle, Lamb Island, Lodge Island,[Note 15] Stony Island, Threave Island, Whaup Islands
Highland River Beauly NH468416 Eilean Aigas
Highland Black Water NH438590 Eilean an Daraich, Contin Island
Highland River Conon NH533546 Dunglass Island (b), Garrie Island (b), Moy Island
Highland River Oykel NC398001 Eilean Thùrnaig
Highland River Ness NH663437 Ness Islands
Highland River Snizort NG416485 Island of St Columba
Highland River Spey NN599937 Eilean Dubh
Highland River Spey NN504946 Eilean Longart
Highland River Spey NN551937 Eilean Mhic Rath
Moray River Spey NJ287450 Heathery Isle
Moray River Spey NJ201415 Island Roary
Moray River Spey NJ186413 Stony Island
Scottish Borders Ettrick Water NT463285 The Island
Scottish Borders River Tweed NT907483 Blount Island[Note 16]
Scottish Borders River Tweed NT882448 Kippie Island[Note 17]
Scottish Borders River Tweed NT748353 Sharpitlaw Anna
Scottish Borders River Tweed NT926495 St. Thomas's Island
South Lanarkshire River Clyde NS868438 Clydesholm
Stirling River Dochart NN571325 Inchbuie
Perth and Kinross River Tay NN998477 Dowally Island, Woodinch
Perth and Kinross River Tay NO122222 Moncreiffe Island (b), Insherrit Island (b), The Scone Isles, The Stanners (b)

Former islands

Broch of Clickimin was an islet in Loch of Clickimin just west of Lerwick in Shetland that is now attached to mainland Shetland by a stone causeway.[38] Similarly, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the northwest Law Ting Holm was an islet in Loch of Tingwall attached to mainland Shetland by a submerged stone causeway but with changing water levels of the loch it is now a promontory. Although thought to be the site of last þing held in Shetland it has never been excavated.[39]

There are several former islands in the Tay, created by natural silting and artificial reclamation including: Big Island, Bloody Inches near Murthly, North Inch and South Inch in Perth, Richards Islands, Sleepless Inch and The Inch near Inchtuthil.[Note 18]

See also

References and footnotes

General references
  • Barrow, G.W.S. (ed.), The Kingdom of the Scots: Government, Church and Society from the Eleventh to the Fourteenth Century (2003) Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0-7486-1803-1
  • Coventry, Martin (2008) Castles of the Clans. Musselburgh. Goblinshead. ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1
  • General Register Office for Scotland (28 November 2003) Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  • Grant, Alexander "The Wolf of Badenoch" in W.D.H. Sellar (ed.) (1993) Moray: Province and People. Scottish Society for Northern Studies. Edinburgh; ISBN 0-9505994-7-6
  • Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  • Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) Ainmean-àite/Placenames. (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  • Murray, Sir John and Pullar, Laurence (1910) Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909. London; Challenger Office.
  • Ordnance Survey (2009) "Get-a-map". Retrieved January 2010.
Notes
  1. ^ "Loch" is a Scottish Gaelic word for both a lake and a fiord that has been borrowed by Scots and Scottish English to apply to such bodies of water. The Lake of Menteith is the only natural body of water called a "lake" in Scotland.[3]
  2. ^ Some of the islets in Loch Lomond may only appear when the water levels are low[8] and although many sources provide a figure of up to sixty islands[9] this may derive from a poetic 9th century description. Other sources suggest a total of 30 or 38 islands.[10][11]
  3. ^ Crannógs are excluded as they are both artificial and very numerous. There are at least 600 of these small prehistoric structures in Scotland.[15]
  4. ^ There is a significant difference between the Ordnance Survey (OS) treatment of freshwater and offshore islands. See for example Loch Snigiscleit at grid reference NF802254. If the islands here were offshore it is virtually certain that there would be three substantial named islands and probably half a dozen named smaller ones. There are several examples – Loch Druidibeag has two named islands and about a dozen un-named. It is not clear whether this because the OS only chose to list a few larger ones and those identified by RCAHMS, or if for some reason local people did not give names to smaller islands in lochs.
  5. ^ Referred to by the National Records of Scotland (2013) as "Inchruin", which is a typographical error.
  6. ^ As there are numerous lochs in Highland, which is large council area covering over 30,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi) the area committee designations of Badenoch and Strathspey, Caithness, Inverness, Lochaber, Nairn, Ross and Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh and Sutherland are used to identify the location.
  7. ^ Numbers in brackets indicate that there are (2) or (3) islands of the same name in the body of water referred to.
  8. ^ In a few cases the presence of islands provides a loch with its name such as Loch an Eilein on Mull or Loch nan Eilean on Jura.
  9. ^ Eilean Mhuireill at the south end of the loch (grid reference NR386673) is identified by the Ordnance Survey as a crannog.
  10. ^ Dun Baravat has an Iron Age roundhouse dated from between 300 and 300 BC.[31]
  11. ^ Rainish Eilean Mòr at grid reference NB388281 is about 27 hectares (67 acres) in extent. This makes it one of the larger freshwater islands, but it is probably the largest relative to the size of the body of water it sits in, Loch Orasaigh being only about 125 hectares (310 acres) all told.
  12. ^ Eilean nan Cnàmh is in Loch nam Faoileag, an arm of Loch Trealalabhal separated from the main body by a causeway. The former loch is "commonly regarded" as part of the latter.[32]
  13. ^ This loch is not named by the Ordnance Survey and at one time it may have been an extension of the saltwater Loch Boisdale. Its size has been enhanced artificially in that a small dam has been constructed, that prevents brackish water entering from Poll a' Fearchadh.[34]
  14. ^ (b) Indicates those that from time to time lie in brackish water, as indicated by the Ordnance Survey as lying below the "Mean High Water Springs".
  15. ^ Lodge Island is 20.4ha in extent, making it one of the larger riverine islands.[36]
  16. ^ Canny Island at NT891467 is in the middle of the Tweed but on the English side of the border as identified by the Ordnance Survey.
  17. ^ Kippie Island is in the middle of the Tweed on the Scottish side of the border as identified by the Ordnance Survey but is conjoined to Dreeper Island which is on the English side. Historical OS maps show that the channel between the two, once separate, islands narrowed progressively eventually closing sometime between 1922 and 1967.[37]
  18. ^ North and South Inch are reclaimed parks on the right bank of the Tay, now within the bounds of the town of Perth.[40] Sleepless Island is now a sewage works at NO146220[41] Bloody Inches is at NO139391 and The Inch at NO106391. Big Island is a former gravel bank at NN992494 and Richards Islands are further upstream on the River Tummel (a tributary of the Tay) at NN955557[42][43][44]
Citations
  1. ^ a b Coventry (2008) p. 154
  2. ^ a b "Botanical survey of Scottish freshwater lochs" Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine SNH Information and Advisory Note Number 4. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Inchmahome Priory" Archived 2010-04-07 at the Wayback Machine Mysterious Britain. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Lochindorb Castle" Canmore. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  5. ^ Barrow, G.W.S. (2003) "The Judex" pp. 57–67
  6. ^ "Inchmahome Priory" Historic Scotland. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  7. ^ "Loch Lomond Islands – Inchmurrin". Loch Lomond.net. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
  8. ^ "Loch Lomond Islands" Archived 2009-11-18 at the Wayback Machine loch-lomond.me.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  9. ^ For example, "Loch lomond" Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine goxplore.net Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  10. ^ "The Loch" Loch Lomond.net. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  11. ^ "The islands on Loch Lomond " visit-lochlomond.com. Retrieved 28 April 2010. Archived May 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Mac an Tàilleir (2003) various pages.
  13. ^ For example, Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 96, 104, 375.
  14. ^ Fellows-Jensen, Gillian "On dalr and holmr in the place-names of Britain" Ramsdale.org. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  15. ^ "Crannogs" BBC. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  16. ^ Estimates based on Ordnance Survey maps and General Register Office for Scotland statistics unless otherwise stated.
  17. ^ a b National Records of Scotland (15 August 2013). "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands" (PDF). Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two) (PDF) (Report). SG/2013/126. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rick Livingstone’s Tables of the Islands of Scotland (pdf) Argyll Yacht Charters. Retrieved 12 Dec 2011.
  19. ^ General Register Office for Scotland (28 November 2003) Scotland's Census 2001 – Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  20. ^ National Records of Scotland (15 August 2013). "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands" (PDF). Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two) (PDF) (Report). SG/2013/126. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  21. ^ See Ordnance Survey maps at for example NN073220 and NN102247.
  22. ^ Coventry (2008) p. 78.
  23. ^ "Loch Lomond Islands: Inchconnachan". Loch Lomond.net. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  24. ^ Welch, D.; Carss, D.N.; Gornall, J.; Manchester, S.J.; Marquiss, M.; Preston, C. D.; Telfer, M.G.; Arnold, H.R.; Holbrook, J. (2001). An Audit of Alien Species in Scotland. Review no 139 (Technical report). Perth: Scottish Natural Heritage.
  25. ^ Grant (1993) pp. 144–45.
  26. ^ "Loch an Eilein Castle" Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  27. ^ See for example Loch Benevean in Glen Affric at NH256267 compared to the map in Murray and Pullar (1910).
  28. ^ "Duke Murdoch's Castle (remains of)". Wikimapia quoting census records. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  29. ^ See Ordnance Survey map for Loch Sgadabhagh at NF854683 for example.
  30. ^ Smith, Brian, (2009) "On the nature of tings: Shetland´s law courts from the middle ages until 1611". New Shetlander No. 250, 37–45.
  31. ^ "Lewis, Great Bernera, Loch Baravat, Dun Baravat" Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine Scotlandsplaces.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  32. ^ Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Lewis" Page 208, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  33. ^ This dùn is probably the remains of a broch. See "South Uist, Eochar, Dun Na Buail' Uachdraich" Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine Scotlands Places. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  34. ^ "Saltwater Dam" Geograph. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  35. ^ "Scotland’s Dynamic Coasts" Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Lodge Island". Gazetteer for Scotland.
  37. ^ "British War Office GSGS 4127, Ordnance Survey Popular and New Popular Editions". (1925-48) Vision of Britain. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  38. ^ Clickimin Broch Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  39. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Law Ting Holm (1104)". Canmore. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Perth" Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  41. ^ " Wildlife on the Tay" perthcity.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2010. Archived August 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ Gilvear, D. J.; Davies, J. R.; Winterbottom, S. J. (1994). "Mechanisms of floodbank failure during large flood events on the rivers Tay and Earn, Scotland". Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. 27 (4): 319–332. doi:10.1144/GSL.QJEGH.1994.027.P4.04. S2CID 130797491. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  43. ^ Gilvear, David J. (1993). "River management and conservation issues on formerly braided river systems; the case of the River Tay, Scotland". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 75 (1): 231–240. doi:10.1144/GSL.SP.1993.075.01.14. S2CID 131505181. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  44. ^ "Gravel Working in the River Tay System: A Code of Good Practice". (2007) SNH. Report No. 1736. Battleby. ISBN 978-1-85397-573-8