Kerrera
Encyclopedia
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...
Inner Hebrides
Inner Hebrides
The Inner Hebrides is an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, which enjoy a mild oceanic climate. There are 36 inhabited islands and a further 43 uninhabited Inner Hebrides with an area greater than...
, close to the town of Oban
Oban
Oban Oban Oban ( is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. It has a total resident population of 8,120. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and during the tourist season the town can be crowded by up to 25,000 people. Oban...
. In 2005 it had a population of about 35 people, and it is linked to the mainland by passenger ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
on the Gallanach Road.
The island is known for the ruined Gylen Castle
Gylen Castle
Gylen Castle, on the southern part of the island of Kerrera in Argyll and Bute, juts dramatically into the sky on the tip of a promontory overlooking the Firth of Lorne.-History:...
, built in 1582. It was also the place where Alexander II of Scotland
Alexander II of Scotland
Alexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
died in 1249. The highest point on Kerrera is Carn Breugach at 189 metres (620 ft). Most of the island is owned by the McDougalls of Dunollie, who are descended from the Scottish prince Somerled
Somerled
Somerled was a military and political leader of the Scottish Isles in the 12th century who was known in Gaelic as rí Innse Gall . His father was Gillebride...
. The four-acre tidal island at the north-east tip of Kerrera, Rubh'a Chruidh, was sold for £426,000 in 2010 to Lanarkshire businessman, David Hamilton.
The main industries on the island are farming (sheep and Highland cattle
Highland cattle
Highland cattle or kyloe are a Scottish breed of beef cattle with long horns and long wavy coats which are coloured black, brindled, red, yellow or dun....
) and tourism. There is a tea room/café at the south end near Gylen Castle. The castle itself has recently been restored and is now fully open to the public. At the north end of the island is the 200-berth Oban Marina, which has a complementary ferry service running to/from North Pier, Oban
Oban
Oban Oban Oban ( is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. It has a total resident population of 8,120. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and during the tourist season the town can be crowded by up to 25,000 people. Oban...
. The only licensed premises on the island is situated here; the Waypoint Bar and Grill which sells local produce including oysters, scallops, beef and lamb.
