Inchlonaig facts for kids
| Meaning of name | "Island of Yew Trees" |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | NS380934 |
| Coordinates | 56°06′N 4°36′W / 56.10°N 4.60°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Loch Lomond |
| Area | 80 ha |
| Area rank | 162= (Freshwater: 3) |
| Highest elevation | 62 m |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Inchlonaig is a small island located in Loch Lomond, a famous loch (lake) in Scotland. Its name means "Island of Yew Trees," which gives a big clue about what makes this place special.
Contents
Exploring Inchlonaig's Location
Inchlonaig is one of the bigger islands in Loch Lomond. It sits towards the northern part of the loch. The island is just south of where the loch becomes much narrower. It is also north of another island called Inchconnachan.
Discovering Inchlonaig's Past
People have lived on Inchlonaig for a very long time. There are signs that humans were here as far back as 5000 BC. That's about 7,000 years ago!
The Famous Yew Trees
The island is home to many yew trees. These trees are very old and have a special history. A writer named H.V. Morton visited the island in the 1930s. He wrote that the yew trees were planted by King Robert the Bruce. This was so his archers would have wood to make bows.
It is believed that King Robert used these trees for bows before the Battle of Bannockburn. This important battle happened in the 14th century. Because of this, the island and its trees were very valuable. People took great care to protect them.
A Place of Many Uses
Inchlonaig has been used for different things over the years.
- It was once a deer park. This means deer were kept there, especially by Sir James Colquhoun in the 1600s.
- At other times, it was a place where people with problems were kept.
Strathcashel, a strong fort belonging to the Duke of Montrose, was located across from Inchlonaig. This shows the island's important position.
Rob Roy MacGregor's Visit
The famous Scottish folk hero, Rob Roy, also visited Inchlonaig. He met with the Clan Colquhoun here. They decided how much money he would take from them.
A Sad Event
In 1873, Sir James Colquhoun, who was the clan chief, went hunting on the island. Sadly, he and some helpers drowned. They are all buried together in Luss.
Inchlonaig Today
Today, there is a stone cottage on Inchlonaig. This cottage is now used as a holiday home. The island is not usually lived on. Government records show that no one lived there during the 2001 or 2011 censuses.
The beaches on Inchlonaig are also popular. Many campers like to visit the island. They come looking for a quiet place to set up their tents and enjoy nature.
