Eriska facts for kids
| Gaelic name | ùruisg, |
|---|---|
| Norse name | Aoraisge |
| Meaning of name | 'water nymph island' or 'Erik's island' |
| OS grid reference | NM902429 |
| Coordinates | 56°31′55″N 5°24′43″W / 56.532°N 5.412°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Loch Linnhe |
| Area | 145 hectares (360 acres) |
| Area rank | 124= |
| Highest elevation | 47 m |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | No estimate available |
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Eriska is a flat island located on the west coast of Scotland. It sits right at the entrance to Loch Creran, which is a sea loch. Eriska is a tidal island, which means it can be reached by land at low tide.
For many years, from 1973 to 2016, the island was owned by the Buchanan-Smith family. Today, Eriska is owned by Creation Gem, a family business from Hong Kong. The island is mostly used as a hotel, surrounded by beautiful wooded areas. People live on the island, but the exact number hasn't been recorded in recent official counts.
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Exploring Eriska's Geography
Eriska Island is mostly made of two types of rock: schist and slate. These are strong, layered rocks. The lower parts of the island, especially to the west, were once a "raised beach." This means they were part of the coastline long ago but have since risen above sea level.
Ancient History of Eriska
On the east side of the bridge that connects Eriska to the mainland, you can find something very old. It's a partly hidden crannog. A crannog is a type of ancient fortified home, often built on an artificial island in a lake or loch. This one dates back to the Bronze Age, around 200 BC!
Eriska's Natural Beauty
Eriska is part of a special area called the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area. Scotland has 40 of these areas, chosen for their amazing natural beauty. The entire Eriska estate, including some land on the mainland, covers about 20 hectares (about 50 acres). The island itself is about 145 hectares (about 360 acres) in total.
Eriska House: A Historic Hotel
The main building on the island is Eriska House. It was built in 1884 by the Stewarts of Appin family. The house was designed in the Scottish Baronial style. This style looks a bit like a castle, with towers, turrets, and strong stone walls. The architect, Hippolyte Blanc, was known for paying close attention to every small detail and using very high-quality materials.
Connecting Eriska to the Mainland
After the Stewarts, the Blairs and Clark Hutchisons lived on Eriska. They were the ones who built the bridge that connects the island to the mainland. This bridge made it possible to reach the island at any time, even when the tide was high. Before the bridge, you could only cross when the water was low.
In 1930, these families left, and the house wasn't well cared for until the Buchanan-Smith family bought the island in 1973. They turned Eriska House and its nearby buildings into the hotel you see today. The main house still looks much like it did when it was first built!
