- Inchmurrin
Infobox Scottish island
latitude=56.05
longitude=-4.60
GridReference=NS379871
celtic name= Innis Mheadhran
norse name=
meaning of name= St Mirin's Island
area=133 ha
area rank=132
highest elevation= 89 m
Population=13
population rank= 68
main settlement=
island group=Loch Lomond
local authority=West Dunbartonshire
references= [2001 UK Census perList of islands of Scotland ] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ]Inchmurrin (
Scottish Gaelic : Innis Mheadhran) is an island inLoch Lomond inScotland . It is the largest fresh water island in theBritish Isles .cite book| author=Worsley, Harry| title=Loch Lomond: The Loch, the Lairds and the Legends| isbn=978-1-898169-34-5| publisher=Lindsay Publications| location=Glasgow| date=1988]Geography and geology
Inchmurrin is the largest and most southerly of the islands in Loch Lomond. It reaches a height of 89m (291 feet) towards the north and is largely wooded. [cite web| url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1908.html| title=Overview of Inchmurrin| publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| accessdate=2007-08-23] There is an excellent view of the north end of the loch.cite book| author=Morton, H. V.| title=In Scotland Again| date=1933| publisher=Methuen| location=London]
Along with
Creinch ,Torrinch , andInchcailloch , Inchmurrin forms part of theHighland boundary fault .History
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 there.cite book| author=Wilson, Rev. John| title=The Gazetteer of Scotland| location=Edinburgh| date=1882| publisher=W. & A.K. Johnstone] There are ruins of
Lennox Castle , probably built for Duncan, 8thEarl 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 KingRobert I of Scotland in the early 1300s. [cite web| url=http://www.aboutscotland.com/inchmurrin/castle.html| title=Lennox Castle| publisher=aboutScotland.com| accessdate=2007-08-23] After her husband, father, and two sons were executed by James I in 1425, the old 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. [cite web| url=http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=updike&id=I54681| title=John Colquhoun| publisher=RootsWeb| accessdate=2008-09-25] [cite web| url=http://www.inchmurrin-lochlomond.com/self_catering_loch_lomond_history.php| title=The history of Lennox castle and Inchmurrin Island| publisher=Self Catering Loch Lomond| accessdate=2008-09-25]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 theRiver Endrick andLoch 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. [cite web| url=http://www.loch-lomond.net/islands/inchmurrin.html| title=Loch Lomond Islands - Inchmurrin| publisher=Loch Lomond.net| accessdate=2007-08-23] They used to have a sign at the jetty saying, "You are now entering Scott Country" at the jetty.
Facilities
There is a naturist camp in the north east of the island.
Footnotes
External links
* http://www.lochlomond-islands.com/page62.html
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