Clairinsh facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Clàr-Innis |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | flat island |
| OS grid reference | NS413898 |
| Coordinates | 56°05′N 4°34′W / 56.08°N 4.57°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Loch Lomond |
| Area | ha |
| Highest elevation | 13 m |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Stirling |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Clairinsh, also known as Clairinch, is a small island located in Loch Lomond, which is a famous lake in central Scotland. Its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic "Clàr-Innis," meaning "flat island." This makes sense because the island is very flat, only about 13 meters (43 feet) high at its highest point.
Clairinsh is quite small, measuring about 450 meters long and 200 meters wide. It sits just east of another island called Inchcailloch, and about 1 kilometer southwest of the village of Balmaha. If you look at Clairinsh from above, it actually looks a lot like a fish!
Contents
Discovering Clairinsh's Past
Ancient Times: The Iron Age
People have been connected to Clairinsh for a very long time, even back in the Iron Age. During this period, an old iron pin was found on the island.
Even more interesting, a crannog was discovered near Clairinsh. A crannog is a special kind of man-made island built in lakes, often for protection. This crannog, called "Keppinch" or "The Kitchen," is about 62 meters off the north end of Clairinsh. Roman pottery was found there, showing that people lived or visited this area many centuries ago.
Medieval History: Clan Buchanan's Home
Clairinsh became very important in the Middle Ages. In 1225, a powerful Scottish leader named Maldonus, the Third Earl of Lennox, gave Clairinsh to Anselan of Buchanan. Anselan was a trusted advisor, known as a "seneschal." This gift was confirmed by the King of Scotland, Alexander II, in 1231.
The island became the main home for Clan Buchanan, a famous Scottish clan. They even used "Clàr-Innis!" as their battle cry, showing how important the island was to them. Archaeologists have found signs of seven old buildings and seven stone docks on the island. The nearby crannog might have even been used as a meeting place for the Clan Buchanan leaders.
More Recent Times: A Nature Reserve
Clairinsh stayed with the Clan Buchanan chiefs until 1682. Then, it was bought by the Duke of Montrose's family, who owned it for about 250 years.
In 1934, a man named William George Buchanan bought the island. He made a lot of money in the nitrate industry in Chile. In his will, he gave Clairinsh to the Buchanan Society. He wanted the island to be kept safe forever as a place for animals and birds, where no hunting was allowed.
Since 1940, the Buchanan Society has owned the island. In 1958, Clairinsh was officially named the first part of a National Nature Reserve. This means it's a protected area where nature can thrive, just as William George Buchanan wished.
