Inchmurrin facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Innis Mhearain |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | St Mirin's Island |
| OS grid reference | NS379871 |
| Coordinates | 56°03′N 4°36′W / 56.05°N 4.60°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Loch Lomond |
| Area | 120 hectares (0.46 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 139= (Freshwater: 1) |
| Highest elevation | 89 metres (292 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | West Dunbartonshire |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 8 |
| Population density | 6 people/km2 |
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Inchmurrin (Scottish Gaelic: Innis Mhearain) is a special island located in Loch Lomond in Scotland. It is the largest island found in a freshwater lake in the entire British Isles.
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Island Geography and Features
Inchmurrin is the biggest and most southerly of all the islands in Loch Lomond. It rises to a height of 89 metres (292 ft) (about 292 feet) towards its northern end. Most of the island is covered in trees. From the north side, you can get a fantastic view of the rest of the loch.
Inchmurrin, along with nearby islands like Creinch, Torrinch, and Inchcailloch, is part of an important geological line. This line is known as the Highland Boundary Fault, which separates the Scottish Highlands from the Lowlands.
A Look Back at Inchmurrin's History
Around 1,400 years ago, in the 7th century, there was a monastery on Inchmurrin. It had a chapel named after Saint Mirin, which is how the island got its name.
The island was once a special park for deer, owned by the Dukes of Montrose. They even built a hunting lodge there in 1793. At one point, in the 1800s, there were 200 deer living on the island!
There are also old castle ruins on Inchmurrin. This castle was likely built for Duncan, the 8th Earl of Lennox. His main home was Balloch Castle at the south end of Loch Lomond. The castle on Inchmurrin was probably used as a hunting lodge for the deer park. King Robert I of Scotland started this deer park in the early 14th century.
Later, in 1425, Isabella Countess of Lennox came to live at the castle on Inchmurrin with her grandchildren.
In 1599, a French ambassador, Monsieur de Béthune, visited Inchmurrin. He went on a hunting trip with King James VI. King James enjoyed it so much that he returned to Inchmurrin for hunting in 1617. The Duke of Lennox even asked for a lot of food to be ready for the hungry hunters!
The famous Scottish outlaw, Rob Roy, also visited the island. His men once controlled all the boats on the nearby River Endrick and Loch Lomond. They used these boats to move cattle from Inchmurrin.
A travel writer named H.V. Morton visited Inchmurrin in the 1930s. He described it as a "grassy isle, an island packed with memories."
The Scott family has owned Inchmurrin for over 70 years. They farm the land and also offer places for people to stay, like self-catering apartments and a cottage. They even have a restaurant on the island! For a long time, they had a sign at the jetty that said, "You are now entering Scott Country."
Inchmurrin is also famous for a fun record! For over 20 years, the world record for haggis hurling was held by Alan Pettigrew. He threw a haggis 180 feet, 10 inches on Inchmurrin in August 1984. However, this record was broken in 2011 by Lorne Coltart.
Island Facilities and Activities
Inchmurrin offers several ways for visitors to enjoy the island. You can stay in one of the three self-catering apartments or a larger cottage that sleeps eight people. The island also has its own bar and restaurant, which is open from Easter until October. Inchmurrin is even a licensed place where civil ceremonies, like weddings, can be held.
See also
In Spanish: Inchmurrin para niños
