Inchmurrin
Encyclopedia
Inchmurrin is an island in Loch Lomond
in Scotland
. It is the largest fresh water island in the British Isles
.
Inchmurrin is the largest and most southerly of the islands in Loch Lomond. It reaches a height of 89 metres (292 ft) towards the north and is largely wooded. There is an excellent view of the north end of the loch.
Along with Creinch
, Torrinch
, and Inchcailloch
, Inchmurrin forms part of the Highland boundary fault
.
Inchmurrin was the site of a 7th century monastery, with a chapel dedicated to Saint Mirin
, after whom it was named.
The island was formerly a deer park of the Dukes of Montrose
, who had a hunting lodge built in 1793 and maintained a gamekeeper and his family there. 200 deer are recorded in 1800. There are ruins of Lennox Castle, probably built for Duncan, 8th Earl of Lennox
whose seat was Balloch Castle at the south end of Loch Lomond. The castle was probably a hunting lodge for the deer park established on the island by King Robert I of Scotland
in the early 14th century. After her husband Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, father Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
, and two sons were executed by James I
in 1425, Isabella Countess of Lennox retired to the castle on Inchmurrin with her grandchildren.
In 1417, Iain Colquhoun of Luss was killed here by robbers. Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, governor of Dumbarton Castle
, was murdered at Inchmurrin in 1439, during a raid led by Lachlan MacLean.
In 1617, James VI made his only return visit to Scotland, and included Inchmurrin in his itinerary to go hunting. Lord Lennox wrote to the custodian of the island on July 23, 1617 asking for food to be prepared for "a good nombre of sharpe stomaches", probably a reference to the hunting trip.
Rob Roy
raided the island. At one point, his men came to control all the boats on the River Endrick and Loch Lomond
, which were later used to remove cattle from Inchmurrin.
Inchmurrin was used as a mental asylum, and also unmarried pregnant women were sent here to give birth.
The English travel writer, H.V. Morton
visited Inchmurrin in the 1930s and described it as "the grassy isle, an island packed with memories."
The island has been owned by the Scott family for over 70 years. They farm it and run self-catering apartments, a cottage, and restaurant. They used to have a sign at the jetty saying, "You are now entering Scott Country".
The present World Record for haggis hurling
has been held by Alan Pettigrew for over 20 years. He threw a 1 lb 8 oz haggis
180 feet, 10 inches on Inchmurrin in August 1984.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the largest fresh water island in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
.
Geography and geology
Along with Creinch
Creinch
Creinch is an island on the Highland boundary fault in Loch Lomond.-History:Formerly Inchcroin , Creinch lies a little north of Inchmurrin. Inchcailloch, Torrinch, Creinch and Inchmurrin form part of the Highland boundary fault...
, Torrinch
Torrinch
Torrinch or Inchtore is an island in Loch Lomond in Scotland. The name Torremach is also recorded for it. It is wooded.- Geography :It is one of the smaller islands in the loch. Torrinch, along with Inchmurrin, Creinch, and Inchcailloch, forms part of the Highland Boundary Fault...
, and Inchcailloch
Inchcailloch
Inchcailloch is an island on Loch Lomond in Scotland. It is 85 m at its highest point. It is also known to some as Inchebroida....
, Inchmurrin forms part of the Highland boundary fault
Highland Boundary Fault
The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east...
.
History
Saint Mirin
Saint Mirin or Mirren, an Irish monk and missionary , is also known as Mirren of Benchor , Merinus, Merryn and Meadhrán. The patron saint of the town and Roman Catholic diocese of Paisley, Scotland, he was the founder of a religious community which grew to become Paisley Abbey...
, after whom it was named.
The island was formerly a deer park of the Dukes of Montrose
Duke of Montrose
The title of Duke of Montrose was created twice in the peerage of Scotland, firstly in 1488 for David Lindsay, 5th Earl of Crawford. It was forfeited and then returned, but only for the period of the holder's lifetime...
, who had a hunting lodge built in 1793 and maintained a gamekeeper and his family there. 200 deer are recorded in 1800. There are ruins of Lennox Castle, probably built for Duncan, 8th Earl of Lennox
Earl of Lennox
The Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
whose seat was Balloch Castle at the south end of Loch Lomond. The castle was probably a hunting lodge for the deer park established on the island by King Robert I of Scotland
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
in the early 14th century. After her husband Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, father Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
Donnchadh of Lennox was the Mormaer of Lennox, 1385-1425. He was a son of Baltar mac Amlaimh and Margaret, daughter of Domhnall, Earl of Lennox....
, and two sons were executed by James I
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
in 1425, Isabella Countess of Lennox retired to the castle on Inchmurrin with her grandchildren.
In 1417, Iain Colquhoun of Luss was killed here by robbers. Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, governor of Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Great Britain. It overlooks the Scottish town of Dumbarton, and sits on a plug of volcanic basalt known as Dumbarton Rock which is high.-Iron Age:...
, was murdered at Inchmurrin in 1439, during a raid led by Lachlan MacLean.
Rob Roy
Robert Roy MacGregor
Robert Roy MacGregor , usually known simply as Rob Roy or alternately Red MacGregor, was a famous Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century, who is sometimes known as the Scottish Robin Hood. Rob Roy is anglicised from the Scottish Gaelic Raibeart Ruadh, or Red Robert...
raided the island. At one point, his men came to control all the boats on the River Endrick and Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
, which were later used to remove cattle from Inchmurrin.
Inchmurrin was used as a mental asylum, and also unmarried pregnant women were sent here to give birth.
The English travel writer, H.V. Morton
Henry Vollam Morton
Henry Canova Vollam Morton, was a journalist and pioneering travel writer from Lancashire, England, best known for his prolific and popular books on Britain and the Holy Land...
visited Inchmurrin in the 1930s and described it as "the grassy isle, an island packed with memories."
The island has been owned by the Scott family for over 70 years. They farm it and run self-catering apartments, a cottage, and restaurant. They used to have a sign at the jetty saying, "You are now entering Scott Country".
The present World Record for haggis hurling
Haggis hurling
Haggis hurling is a Scottish sport involving the hurling of a haggis as far as possible for distance and accuracy from atop a platform . The Haggis must be edible.-Background:...
has been held by Alan Pettigrew for over 20 years. He threw a 1 lb 8 oz haggis
Haggis
Haggis is a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' , minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours. Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a casing rather than an actual stomach.Haggis is a kind...
180 feet, 10 inches on Inchmurrin in August 1984.
External links
- http://www.lochlomond-islands.com/
- article which mentions it